The crew chief of a NASCAR team is without a doubt the second most important person on a race day apart from the driver. The chief is not only in charge of getting the car ready for the race but also in devising the racing strategies for the particular track and day. With enormous responsibilities on their shoulders, they are compensated well.
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According to different sources, the range of annual pay for a crew chief is from $200,000 to $1 million, depending on team and experience. A crew chief can expect to earn around $10,000 in a single race, along with a bonus of $2,500 should their team be the victor. The annual pay range includes prize money share and other revenue-generating agreements they might have in place.
The crew chief’s role also demands that they oversee and take responsibility for the work of their pit crew. A bad decision during or after the race can end up weighing the team heavily in the long run. From the pressure of the tires to the timing of pitstops, the crew chief guides the driver over the best course of action at any given time.
How well are the pit crew members compensated in NASCAR?
According to nascarchronicle.com, the average annual salary for a pit crew member is $86,421. Members who perform extraordinarily well can make around the $130,000 mark along with bonuses and endorsements. The salary for tire carriers and changes can lie between $30,000 and $100,000, depending on their expertise. This variation also applies to other roles such as jackman and spotter.
The progression of a new entrant in the pit begins from being an intern. The journey takes one along the lines of being a junior pit crew member, a pit crew mechanic/engineer, and a senior pit crew member. The member is expected to have strong automotive knowledge regardless of whether they hold a college degree.
Reportedly, only 33% of the current pit crew members in NASCAR are college graduates, with the rest learning their skills through training programs and apprenticeships. Pit crew members and the crew chief are required to have strong synergy amidst them and with the driver. Driver relationship, rules knowledge, decision-making abilities, and experience, are all factors that contribute to the salary of a NASCAR crew.
