For many fans of the sport, landing a job with a NASCAR team is a long-cherished dream. Yet, clinching the role of a driver might seem like a far-off reality. The steep requirements of financial resources, intensive effort, and a dash of good luck can make it a daunting pursuit. However, this doesn’t signify the end of the road for those yearning to work for others. Let Denny Hamlin explain.
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In NASCAR, the array of roles within a team offers numerous alternative pathways to fulfilling this dream. Positions span from trackside to behind-the-scenes roles. Each one presents a unique opportunity to contribute to a team’s success. But the question remains: how does one secure a place in their favorite NASCAR team?
Recently, Hamlin shed light on this very subject during an episode of his podcast.
Denny Hamlin reveals how one can join a NASCAR Team
During a segment of his podcast titled ‘Dear Denny’, Hamlin fielded a question about how someone could join a NASCAR team. The question wasn’t about becoming a driver but focused on the business aspects of team involvement.
Hamlin answered the question by saying, “I think if you want to be part of a NASCAR team, now is the time. It’s the easiest entry point ever in history, is right now.”
“I think that certainly if you’re passionate about the sport, I would say go to your local short track and volunteer to be on a… Someone’s team at the local short tracks, so late model team or whatever team, and just say, ‘What do you need me to do?’ And continue to work up the ladder…”
In other words, Hamlin’s advice urges people to start small, learn the ropes, and gradually work their way up. As per his suggestion, offering help to a local team is a good way to gain valuable experience and climb the ladder in the racing business. This level-headed approach, as it turns out, apparently also reflects the ethos at the very heart of Hamlin’s Cup Series team.
Hamlin explains how they give a chance to people to work for 23XI Racing
Delving deeper into the topic, Hamlin revealed that his 23XI Racing team frequently extends job offers to individuals who may not meet their preferred experience level. This approach reflects their belief in their ability to train new hires and bring them up to standard. Thus, he suggested their propensity for providing opportunities for growth and learning.
The 23XI Racing co-owner explained, “You stay in the sport and you just work your way up and you get experience. I know at 23XI It’s, you submit your resume and we’ll go through it. We’ve been giving people with maybe even less experience than what we’re comfortable with at times jobs. Because we feel like we can train them and lead them to have a skill set that they can have for the long term.”
“But I would just go and volunteer at a local short track. And then take those credentials and apply for then a truck team. It’s not going to be your front-running truck team. They’re not going to take a risk on an unknown guy. But you stay in the sport you help out sometimes you’re gonna have to volunteer and it’ll pay off in the long run. I definitely think the entry points easier to come in and work for a top-tier team now than ever,” he concluded.
Drawing from Hamlin’s insights, it’s clear that breaking into NASCAR doesn’t always require a vast amount of experience. Indeed, the willingness to volunteer, learn, and gradually progress within the sport seems to be of paramount importance.
Hamlin’s encouraging remarks serve as a reminder that perseverance and dedication, even in the face of limited experience, can eventually open doors to rewarding opportunities in top-tier teams.
