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 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 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
interviewed 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 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 watched,
which would 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.
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
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 people.
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, the team becomes and 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. Through my observations and

interviews, 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
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. 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
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.