FORT WORTH, Texas — In the competitive world of NASCAR the difference between winning and losing comes down to fractions of a second. That means wins aren’t always determined behind the wheel. Races can be won and lost behind the scenes, in the pits. 

What You Need To Know

  • Teams have changed from hiring mechanics who might be athletic to recruiting athletes and teaching them how to change a tire

  • Austin Dillon’s pit crew is comprised of former Division I football and lacrosse players

  • Pit crew duties range from tire changer to tire carrier, gasman, jackman and utility man

Austin Dillon, a two-time NASCAR champion and the 2018 Daytona 500 winner, is a household name in the sport. But his teammates, who typically don’t get all the love and attention, is the glue to the whole operation.

“Speed is everything,” Dillon said. “Every time we lose seconds on pit road, we really lose feet on the track. So we work really hard together and we train together. I’m close with all those guys.” 

The relationship between drivers and pit crews has to be tight knit because it’s all choreographed chaos on race day. 

“I’m so used to these pit stops now that when we have a good pit stop it’s a damn good feeling,” pit crew member Paul Swan said. 

“All those cars in the top 10 are going to be great at doing pit stops,” said pit crew member Corbin Martin. “This is what we do every day. We practice it 5-10 times a day.” 

They practice like athletes, they train like athletes and they even watch films like athletes because they are athletes. Dillon’s pit crew is comprised of former Division I football and lacrosse players. So how’d they end up on pit road?

“In college I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up,” said pit crew member and former Lenoir-Rhyne lacrosse player Ethan Tingler. “But when I got my opportunity to go to RCR, I worked my way up the chain to land this position. I really did it for the comradery. I missed that locker room feel.” 

“It’s one of the most fun jobs in the world,” said Martin, who is a former North Carolina A&T State football player. “Since I came from a football background, I always loved to compete. I’ve competed since I was six years old. And I'm still doing it as a 26-year-old. I want to keep doing it and beating everyone out here."

From the set up, the preparation to everything over the wall during crunch time, pit crews like them make it look easy.

“You know it’s just like any skill. You do it enough, you get enough practice and repetition, you get really good at it,” Swan said.

Some still get butterflies before a race however.

“I get nervous, definitely,” said Tingler. “And I’m not ashamed of it. I think everyone gets nervous. There’s a lot on the line."

Tensions are high because it’s some of the most pressure packed seconds in all of sports. This pit crew acknowledges that the money is made between 10 and 13 second pit stops. 

“We always celebrate harder than any pit crew out there, I’ll tell you that much. We know how to have fun when we win,” said Swan proudly. “Winning a championship would be the next step for us. And at this cup level that would be incredible.”

Currently, Dillon sits in 11th place with 476 points. There are 20 races remaining in the 2021 season.