Technicians and repair pros in the pit know what it’s like to inspect, service and make repairs to a vehicle on-the-scene and in a manner of minutes.
Driver Doug Coby raced at the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series at the Stafford Motor Speedway on Sunday, September 30. His crew made sure the vehicle was in optimal condition throughout the course of the day. Mayhew Tools sponsors Coby's car. The specialty automotive tool company invited Vehicle Service Pros to go behind the scenes on race day.
The dedicated pit crew works with a pared down assortment of tools and equipment so they can move gear onto the field quickly in order to change tires and fix anything that needs fixing on the car.
Crew member Bob Tulipani says that besides the chief, the rest of the racing pit crew is all volunteers.
“The large trailer houses the race car, spare parts and supplies, as well as a rolling tool cart, making this essentially your general repair shop on wheels,” Tulipani says. He adds wrenches and sockets are a must for the truck, and the cart drawers included Mayhew, Craftsman and GearWrench products.
“If there’s a crash, you need to get out the chisels and pry bars, which are key, especially back at the shop,” says Tulipani.
The Waterloo toolbox is organized with each drawer labeled by tool category. Tulipani indicated since the cart is also brought infield and used on “pit row” it is critical his team knows where they can find specific tools the moment they need them.
“Carts are pushed in by crew members into pit row, so you need to make sure that anything you could possibly need fits into the restraints of your toolbox,” Tulipani says.
Being on pit is high-energy, highly technical work. The crew is tasked with always finding ways to improve the car, as well as finding and eliminating mistakes to help the driver’s chances of winning.
The crew heads to the track bright and early to work on the car and get it ready for the day, followed by the race, and finally they are tasked with getting the car prepped to return home. After the race the team inspects the car, assesses the damage if there was a collision, and prepares a list of parts they’ll need to get the car ready for the following week.
Coby says he loves the close relationship he has with his team and company sponsor Mayhew. Coby began racing at the age of six. He says his father used to race modifieds in the Seventies, and he credits his father with getting him and his sister involved in Quarter Midget Racing.
The driver won the series championships for the last four years (2014-2017). This season, he says they “started off on the wrong foot with a couple bad finishes early on, and ended in a couple wrecks.” Coby finished third in the Napa Fall Final 150, with one race left in the series.