Some days I love my job. The day I got to be part of NASCAR has to be one of the best and most exciting experiences I've had! I know, you are asking yourself how hard could this be. Actually, a lot harder than it looks! Let's start with the NASCAR car experience.
We went to the Charlotte Motor Speedway for our ride along. Now, I didn't actually get to drive the car. I got to ride along which was just as exciting. Now, with my motion sickness, I thought for sure I'd be green. I wasn't! It was amazing to go that fast in a car! It's also super hot in those cars! We did three laps at top speed with a racing instructor driving (so we were totally safe all along). Here's what it looks like:
Totally amazing, right? Next, we learned went to the Performance Instruction & Training (PIT) school. It is one of the coolest places to learn this trade. This crew training facility offers programs to those who want to become pit crew members. We all broke into teams and learned our roles.
We learned how to change all four tires and our roles included a rear carrier, a rear changer, a jackman, a gas man a front carrier and a front changer.
As easy as it looks, let me tell you, it isn't. Let me show you exactly how hard it is:
A normal pit crew can do this in 11 seconds. Needless to say, we took a lot longer. Every one of us had a role, and if you mess up your role, you can be fired.
I know I had no idea how much time, training, effort, and work went into being both a driver and pit crew. I have a new found respect for both. PIT has trained over 500 drivers and they work with over 200 businesses for team building training, and they are doing an amazing job of it! We learned how things have progressed and gotten both faster and safer over the years.
It's a whole different experience watching Cars 3 (aff) now knowing what I learned. Have you done a NASCAR ride along or been part of a pit crew? Did you learn anything from my experience?
CARS 3 (aff) is now available on Digital and DVD. Go get your copy!
My husband had the opportunity to do all of this years ago. Talk about an exciting day for him. Everyone was so nice and he had a wonderful time.
This would be so much fun! My husband would love to do something like this. Cars 3 is such a great movie.
This sounds like it was a lot of fun! I am not into the whole racing thing. I grew up not too far from Talladega, and it was never my thing. But, so cool for those that love it.
My husbands practically drooling over my shoulder reading this. This would be a dream come true for him. He is always wanted to go on a race car and has always loved NASCAR.
Oh now this sounds like so much fun! I bet it would be great for anyone who loves Nascar or fast cars in general.
What a cool experience! Who wouldn’t want to be a nascar driver for a day. I bet this was so much fun.
WOW! I have a friend and she and her hubby are Nascar fanatics. They’ve even taken their granddaughters to Nascar a few times and those girls love it as much as their grandparents. This would be such an awesome experience for them. Looks like you had so much fun!
That sounds like such a fun, unique experience. I would have loved to experience something like that. I have a lot of Nascar fans in my family.
What an awesome experience! I need To learn to change a tire lol.
11 seconds? Can you imagine doing anything on a car that quickly? I bet the ride along was just amazing.
My son did a ride along in Daytona once. I can’t remember if driving on his own was too expensive or maybe he wasn’t old enough. He loved it and of course I got a great picture of him with the cars and in the jumpsuit.
What a memorable experience this would be. I bet you’ll always reflect on this event. My dad was a race car driver all of my childhood and your post brought back loving memories.
I’m so jealous you got to do a ride along. It sounds like you had a ton of fun and for good reason!
How fun is this. I’ve never been to a Nascar race, but I’ve heard that it’s a fun time. Glad you enjoyed your experience in the pit.
Wow! What an amazing experience! I’ve never been but would love to!
That is seriously so cool! I love hearing about different things like this – what an amazing job that must be. Soo cool!
This looks like fun but I’d be scared to be a NASCAR driver… but I’d like to learn how to change tires.
JAHA As soon as you said pit crew BB thought of Luigi. One of the best moments of CARS is when he left the other pit crew with their hoods on the floor! How fun that you got to experience that for yourself. BB2U
Whoa! I am totally amazed at the skill of the Nascar Pit Crew! I mean, I see them on TV but to read about a first hand account on the training done to even qualify for the job is just awesome! 11 seconds for all that! I would take 11 hours to change a tire!