Zachary Foster

Robert Arnold

UWRT 1101

16 November, 2015

Ethnography Draft #1

Introduction

The NASCAR community has several sub-cultures within it. My ethnography focuses on

the pit crew and the primary mechanics. The sport of NASCAR is one of those unique sports that

looks so simple, but is very complex was it is broken down into its smaller parts. The pit crews

and primary mechanics are different groups in a way, but they are one group at the race track,

which make up the team. Some members even cross over and are a part of both groups, which is

why the research focusses on both. These two groups work together as a team, have the same

work ethic and have the same goal, improve the car for their driver. The way they act and pre-

pare at the race track and outside of the race track is unknown or misconceived by an outsider. A

second question that arose after analyzing the actions by these groups was what are the motives

behind these actions. Understanding the people behind the scenes of the race car may increase

the appreciation of the work put into the sport and overall knowledge an outsider has.

Methods

My primary research included visiting a race shop as well as a race track. I also inter-

viewed one member of each group at the race shop. In each case, I observed several members of

each group within the team. At the race shop, I sat in a viewing window overlooking the main

floor where several cars were being attended to. By doing this, I could see multiple angles and

set-up plates all at once. This gave me the opportunity to watch the actions of each mechanic

and find patterns within their workplace. This viewing window allowed for a more accurate eval-

uation because it is a natural place for fans to observe the work going on. Observing anywhere

else places more pressure on the mechanics since they know they are being watched, which

would alter their actions. Sitting in a quiet area observing while the mechanics were in their natu-

ral environment and most calm state was the first out of four observations I did. The second ob-

servation included the pit crew during pit practice at the shop. During the week, the pit crews

practice and train just like every other athlete in other sports. They are also in their most calm

state since it is just practice. I observed the way they practiced as well as the way they communi-

cated when not pitting the car. Certain patterns and actions were what I was looking for just like

my other observations.

My third and fourth observations came from the race track. Both groups came together as

one at the track to form a team. During pre-race preparation, the mechanics continued to work on

the car and made constant changes throughout the day. I observed one mechanical team for at

least one hour and then observed multiple teams, but for different time intervals. During the race,

I observed the pit crew in action. At the reach track, the team is at its highest pressure. My two

interviews included questions about views that they have about their position, their team, motiva-

tions, and literacy.

Findings

During the time at the shop, the mechanics, being in their calm state, worked in pairs or

small groups. They worked at a moderate pace even though they are on a week by week sched-

ule, but remained focused the entire time. Even though they worked in pairs/small groups, the

flow of their work was smooth and there was not much hesitation. Since I could not hear verbal

communication, I had to understand their communication through their body language. The way

they serviced the car and worked together almost seemed rehearsed. There was great communi-

cation between the group of mechanics throughout the servicing of the car based off of their

body language. The mechanics worked to the best of their ability to make sure the car was effi-

cient as well as able to meet the guidelines/rules. The pit crew during their practice had similar

communication and body language to the mechanics, but in different way. They understood each

other and were close. During pit stops, they worked in harmony and their movements looked nat-

ural and consistent. Even though it looks like chaos an random movements, everything is

planned and rehearsed. The pit crew is a crucial team and almost like a close family. Through

body language and motivational words, they seemed to be focused and determined to perfect ev-

ery movement and improve every time. They must work in harmony and understand each other

to ensure a quick pit stop. Whenever there was a screw up, there were always positive comments

made to motivate the crew member to move on and improve. Positivity, teamwork, determina-

tion and relaxation were the tones set during the pit practices at the shop.

At the race track, the two groups work as a team and are both under a high amount of

pressure. Also, they have the same goals while at the track. There was always and rush and a

constant need for a quick change. The mechanics were constantly at the car working and making

changes. Whenever the car could not be physically worked on, there was always work going on

mentally. By listening to the team, there was constant talk about the car and how they could

make a quality change quickly. There seemed to be chaos, but the teamwork makes it a con-

trolled chaos. Communication was key at the track. A miscommunication would change a lot

since there was always a quick reaction to a command. The pit crew is under even higher pres-

sure during the race. Similar to their practice, they worked in harmony in a quick and efficient

fashion to ensure a perfect pit stop. More communication was taking place at the track because

last second changes were required. A regular pit stop took place, but within those few seconds,

more commands were taking place, resulting in more movements. The pit stops are a race within

themselves adding to the pressure. A slight change in muscle memory needed to be adjusted

quickly to ensure a quick stop and not cost any time. Teamwork was needed in both areas to

“perform” effectively at the race track.

My two interviews came from a mechanic and a pit crew member. I asked about what

makes a team, what motivates them, their position in the sport, and literacy. They both had simi-

lar answers due to the fact that their goals are the same and work around the same people. An

overview of the mechanic’s comments is that working with others on the same car week by week

takes patience and understanding. Not only that, but we may work longer than the average work

week on some weekends. We are continuously elbow-to-elbow with your own teammates as well

as other teams at the track. At the track, it takes a special leader to keep everyone focused and

working together. Once everyone agrees to unwritten rules, understands each other,and there is a

great leader, the team becomes and official team. Improving literacy is crucial to the sport be-

cause anything that can improve the car and give an inch on the track will make a huge differ-

ence. The overview of the pit crew member’s comments is that a team begins with a leader; if

there is not a leader, then there is not a team. In our case, a pit coach not only coaches our pit

stops, but also our mentality towards our jobs and our teammates. We also feed positivity and

motivation off each other. Beyond that even, the owner, Joe Gibbs, is always there to push and

motivate us to do our best on and off of the track. We want to better ourselves and work harder if

we have a leader behind us pushing us and believing in us. Through my observations and inter-

views, I came to understand more about the people in the sport and what goes unknown to an

outsider.

Analysis

Through my observations, the people within the sport must work as a team, have a great

leader behind them at all times, and never lose focus. There is more people and work going on

behind the scenes of NASCAR. So many things have to fall into place and be perfect to be com-

petitive. If there is one thing out of place, a domino effect can occur and everything can go south.

The mechanics and pit crews need excellent communication to achieve goals efficiently and in a

timely manner. Their actions and patterns are consistent because there is continuous communica-

tion and practice amongst everyone. One can learn about verbal and non-verbal communication

skills through observing this kind of team. Misconceptions about what may or may not occur be-

hind the scenes of a race team are always present. Through my research, a race team is more than

just some guys building a car. Just like every other sport, it is made up of a team. This team sport

is more of a challenge because there are smaller teams within groups of that must come together

to form one larger team. Secondly, why the teams can function under pressure well together is

answered through the interviews with the guys on the inside. Team leaders are the backbone.

Without the proper leadership, positivity and motivation, success is not in the near future. These

people in this sub-culture must overcome high pressured situations. One minor mistake may cost

an entire race. Since everything must be completed quickly, efficiency is key. All of this goes

back to leadership and practice before the weekend begins. This sub-culture is complex once

broken down into smaller groups, which are important to NASCAR and can be considered the

backbone of the sport.

Conclusion

A sub-culture can be very unique and interesting once one concentrates and really tries to

understand what is going on and why it is occurring. People in a sub-culture portray what is oc-

curring. Through observations at two different locations and through interviews, the NASCAR

sub-culture has more meaning to it than racing. The characteristics and people that make up a

race team contains a deeper meaning than what is commonly thought. Through the interviews,

the guys mentioned more about the atmosphere and people around them than their jobs and rac-

ing itself. There is a continuous desire for improvement and growth. These race teams are always

held to high standards and put under a lot of pressure, but this is what it takes to make a success-

ful organization. A deeper insight to the occurrences behind the scenes reveals the truth to why

race teams are who they are and eliminates any misconceptions an outsiders may have.