For those of us that are lucky enough to have The Speed Channel, there is now a reality show on the day-to-day operations of three Busch Grand National teams.
If you haven’t had the chance to watch these shows, it’s worth the hour to do so.David Stremme, driver of the Trimspa #32 Dodge, Kasey Kahne, driver of the Great Clips #38 Dodge and Casey Atwood, driver of the Navy #14 Chevrolet are showcased in everyday situations at the race shops.
The program takes the time to show the average fan how much work is involved being a driver and crew member for these teams.For many fans, it is a given that the cars and crews show up at the track and that’s it, but in reality, the work involved is very extensive: preparation of the cars, practice for the crews and the every day dealing with the owners, sponsors and media.
These three young men seem to handle this every day stress with class and quite frankly, way above their years. Stremme is the oldest at 25, both Kahne and Atwood are 23, and they both have a lot of racing under their belts already. Atwood of course has been in Winston Cup and Kahne is currently filling the shoes of Bill Elliott and finished second at Rockingham last race.
I have found watching these shows that the owners are probably the hardest to deal with on a daily basis. They have the pressure of the sponsors on them and they pass that pressure on to their crews and drivers.
In one episode, NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw, who owns the Navy car is very blunt on the phone to his crew. His ability to motivate these people is evident, and I’m sure that the entire crew appreciates how he goes about doing that. He mixes no words when it comes to his desire to make the Navy team a winning team, along with his other team also. I found it very entertaining to listen to how he made his points, but when it was all said and done, I was glad I wasn’t on the other end of the phone conversation. It would be hard enough working for a legend, then you have to do an every day action with him, the pressure must be enormous.
If you have the chance to see these show, tune in, it will give you an insight to racing that perhaps you’ve never had.
Till next time, keep turning left.

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