How Much Do NASCAR Pit Crews Make?

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While most people know that NASCAR drivers and owners make the most money during the season, fans might not know what the support team and pit crew members make. Each NASCAR team has plenty of pit crew members and mechanics who all play a part in the success of a racing team. The typical NASCAR pit crew member makes an average salary of around $250,000 a year. However, that number depends on their role in the pit crew and what racing team they work for.

So, what are the different roles that make up the NASCAR pit crew? What do these job duties encompass, and what is the average salary for these positions?

Here is the complete breakdown of how much NASCAR pit crew members make.

What is the Salary / Job Duties in a NASCAR Pit Crew?

If you’ve ever watched a NASCAR race, you’ve undoubtedly noticed the half-dozen men and women jumping over the wall to do minor repairs, tire changes, and refueling. Each of these individuals has a specific role in the pit crew. Here’s a job description for each of the roles in a pit crew.

Table of Contents

Crew Chief

Crew chiefs are understandably the highest-paid members of the pit crew team. They can make over a million dollars each year and usually take in around $10,000 per race, with a possible $2,500 extra in winning bonuses.

The crew chief is one of the most critical people on the pit wall during a NASCAR race. They manage all of its operations, from relaying pit stop strategy with crew members and drivers to ensuring that everyone has the necessary equipment for a safe and successful stop. The crew chief is in-charge on race day, so they tend to make the most of all pit crew members.

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Jackman + Fueler

Jackmen and fuelers are the second-highest-paid members of the pit crew. They can make up to $3,000 per race, which means they have an annual salary of $300,000 per year. If they’re part of a winning team, they can get an extra $500 per race.

The jackman is one of the identifiable roles you’ll see during a NASCAR pit stop. This team member uses a jack to lift the car during a pit stop, so the tire changers can easily swap the tires during the race. This role requires impeccable timing and reflexes, so the vehicle can be lifted and lowered efficiently to avoid delays during the pit stop.

When a car needs refueling during a race, the fueler jumps over the pit wall with a large gas can on its back to refuel the vehicle. The fueler must be able to work precisely and quickly not to risk spilling fuel over the cars or other pit members, resulting in a dangerous situation or injury.

Spotter

The spotter makes about $2,500 per race in base salary. Like the jackmen and fuelers, they get an additional $500 for being part of a winning team.
The front and rear tire changers and tire carriers are all compensated the same for their work on a car. Each member of the tire changing team makes $1,500 per race in base salary or $80,000 at the end of the year. They can get up to an additional $300 for winning.

The spotter is the second most crucial pit crew member because they’re responsible for keeping an eye out for the driver. During a NASCAR race, the spotter will look ahead of their driver and call out any passing opportunities or debris on the track. The spotter also keeps an eye on the flagman to report any signals aimed at the driver, like penalty violations.

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Tire Changers and Carriers

The front and rear tire changers and tire carriers are all compensated the same for their work on a car. Each member of the tire changing team makes $1,500 per race in base salary or $80,000 at the end of the year. They can get up to an additional $300 for winning.

Every NASCAR fan is familiar with the sound of an air-gun twisting bolt on and off a tire. The tire changer and carriers are two roles that are directly related to changing tires during a race. The tire changer operates the gun that twists bolts on and off while the carrier brings the old tires onto the pit lane and returns old tires to the garage.

Utility Man

Finally, the utility man is the lowest-paid pit crew member, netting $500 for race day earnings. They rarely get a winning bonus. However, a good utility man can work their way up to being a tire changer, vastly increasing their earning potential.

The last pit crew member may have limited responsibilities, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have an important job. The utility man also tears off the protective film on a stock car’s windshield. They also provide the driver with water during the race, ensuring they can operate the best they can.

How Do You Join a NASCAR Pit Crew?

If you’re a motorsports fanatic, you’re likely desperate to find out how you can get a job on a NASCAR pit crew. It’s a pretty competitive job since there are only a few roles.

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First, you have to become an automotive expert. Engineering is often a field of choice because NASCAR cars are incredibly specialized. While general automotive knowledge will help, specialized training in aerodynamics or engines will help you go further.

Next, you’ll have to work your way up through the car racing ranks. Most people will start as a mechanic on a local auto racing team. Then, once they have some experience working on race teams, they can apply to lower tiers of NASCAR as a mechanic or race engineer. Once you make it to the NASCAR Cup Series, you’ll start making a better income from your passion. Most low-level mechanics on NASCAR race teams make about $65,000 a year. If you do well in your role, you could be on the pit crew.

Conclusion: How Much Do NASCAR Pit Crews Make?

Now that you know all that goes into being a member of a NASCAR pit crew, it should be no surprise that their compensation is pretty good. Pit crew members are responsible for keeping a race car going through long races and even help make sure their racer is safe and comfortable behind the steering wheel. That responsibility means that crew members make anywhere from $250,000 to $1,000,000 a year after performance bonuses.