Zachary FosterRobert ArnoldUWRT 110116 November, 2015Ethnography Draft #1IntroductionThe 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 when 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 prepare 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 individuals behind the scenes of the race car may increase the appreciation of the work put into the sport and overall knowledge an outsider has. MethodsMy primary research included visiting a race shop as well as a race track. I also interviewed one member of each group at the race shop. In each situation, I observed several members of each group within the team. My secondary research consisted of a short video analyzing a race 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 evaluation 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 observed, which would may alter their actions. Sitting in a quiet area observing while the mechanics were in their natural environment and most calm state was the first out of four observations I did. The second observation 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 communicated 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, motivations, and literacy. For my secondary research, viewed a short, two-part video on the pit crew. This video focused on everything the pit crew performs during the short thirteen seconds they must work within. The video even touched on some scientific qualities that occur during the short amount of time. I combined what I learned while observing the team in real time with this video to understand the significance of their performance and them as a team. FindingsDuring 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 schedule, 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 communication 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 efficient 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 natural 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 every 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, determination 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 controlled 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 pressure 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 similar answers due to the fact that their goals are the same and work around the same individuals week in and week out. An overview of the mechanics 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 behind you, the team becomes an official team. Improving literacy is crucial to the sport because anything that can improve the car and give an inch on the track will make a huge difference. The overview of the pit crew members 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. As for literacy, there is not much to learn was youve been doing it years, but you you must keep up the skills youve acquired and commit everything to muscle memory. Through my observations and interviews, I came to understand more about the individuals in the sport and what goes unknown to an outsider. Through my secondary research, I was able to understand what a pit crew undergoes during a pit stop how all of it comes together. More science came into play in the video. Muscle memory through practice is the main factor during these pit stops. Unlike other sports, these individuals, for the most part, go through the same motions every single time and nothing will change. The only exception would be a quick adjustment to the, which occurs before or after the initial job/action is completed. By performing the same motions over and over, these individuals can improve there speed without other distractions, but efficiency must remain. Secondly, the crew works together, which develops a team. One member cannot move onto the next action until the other is finished with their action. Through practice, improvement of muscle memory, and communication, the individuals can understand each other and consider themselves and working team. AnalysisThrough my observations, the individuals 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 competitive. 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 communication 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 behind 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 of the team. Without the proper leadership, positivity and motivation, success is not in the near future. These individuals 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. ConclusionA 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 occurring. 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 racing 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 successful 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.