NASCAR pit crew salary: How much do they take home on average?

NASCAR pit crew salary: How much do they take home on average?

Sospeter Itolondo
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:27 PM

A pit crew is very crucial to the success of a NASCAR racer. They are usually supposed to be alert, fast and efficient; otherwise, they would take time off the driver slowing his time down. They specialise in refuelling, changing tires, minor repairs, and change of drivers in dire times. Read on to find out more about a NASCAR pit crew salary.

top NASCAR pit crew salary
Kyle Busch pits during the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Victoria's Voice Foundation 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 03, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Meg Oliphant
Source: Getty Images

The NASCAR pit staff may consist of up to eight people; however, only five are allowed at a pit stop. The team comes with a crew chief, car chief, jackman, tire changer, tire carrier, gasman, and utility man. All of them are important to the NASCAR driver in their way.

NASCAR pit crew salary

A pit crew is essential for one to become a successful driver; hence they must take home a significant amount. So, how much do NASCAR pit crew get paid? Here are the complete details about NASCAR pit crew salaries in 2023:

Utility man

The Utility man gets the lowest NASCAR technician and pit crew salary. Their only job is to tear off the windshield tear-off and provide the driver with any necessities they require. They are only allowed over the wall after the race's second half.

NASCAR pit crew salaries in 2023
A crew member of Josh Williams waits for a pit stop during NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco Uniforms 300, on March 4, 2023, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Photo: Christopher Trim
Source: Getty Images

The Utility man earns around $500 in a day of work. They get bonuses in rare circumstances.

Tire changer and tire carrier

A tire changer is one of the most crucial in a pit crew as they facilitate the vehicle's movement. They need to be fast, proficient and effective to make sure the racer is on their way in no time with new tires after a pit stop. A NASCAR pit crew tire changer takes home a salary of about $1500 with a $300 bonus if they win.

NASCAR pit crew salary
Justin Allgaier, driver of the #7 BRANDT Chevrolet, pits during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco Uniforms 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 04, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Meg Oliphant
Source: Getty Images

Their yearly salary may come up to $80,000, which is incredible. Every unit comes with two tire changers. The tire changers and tire carriers earn around the same salary as their responsibilities are similar.

Spotter

Next is a spotter whose primary responsibility is to help the driver navigate the track. They communicate information about the race to the driver so that they remain on track safely. They are described as "The extra set of eyes for the driver".

NASCAR pit crew tire changer salary
Ross Chastain drops off his spotter after winning the NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix on March 27, 2022, at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas. Photo: Matthew Pearce
Source: Getty Images

On average, a spotter earns $2500 per race with a $500 bonus in case of a win.

Jackman and fuel man

The Jackman and Fuelman come second among the highest-paid pit crew as their work involves many risks. The jackman raises and lowers the vehicle so the tire changers can do their magic. They also help out the rear tire carrier remove the tire.

Average NASCAR pit crew salary
Josh Williams makes a pit stop during NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco Uniforms 300, on March 4, 2023, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Photo: Christopher Trim
Source: Getty Images

The fuel man or gasman is in charge of refuelling the vehicle and helping out tire carriers if there is no need for refuelling. Jackmen and fuel men earn a lucrative $3000 per race with the possibility of a $500 bonus in case of a win.

Crew chief

How much does a pit crew chief get paid in NASCAR? The top NASCAR pit crew salary goes to the crew chief. The crew chief calls the shots and is responsible for formulating a strategy for the pit crew and all those involved in the race.

They work to ensure the setup is good and they get a win. A crew chief takes home an estimated $10,000 per race with about $2500 in bonuses.

NASCAR cup series pit crew salary

A cup series is the most competitive level of NASCAR racing. The competition started in 1949 and was recently sponsored by Monster to configure its name. In a series, the pit crew earn the following respectively:

Staff

Salary

Bonus

Crew chief

$10000

$2500

Spotter

$2500

$500

Jackman

$3000

$500

Fueler

$3000

$500

Tire changer

$1500

$300

Tire carrier

$1500

$300

Utility man

$500

$0

NASCAR pit crew coach salary

The pit crew coach is also the pit crew chief. Part of the chief's responsibility is to train the pit staff on their responsibilities and ensure they understand their roles perfectly. The coach can earn up to $10,000 per race with over $2500 in bonuses.

NASCAR technician and pit crew salary
Crew chief Scott Miller (R) talks with Jeff Burton during practice for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 27, 2007, Alabama. Photo: Andy Lyons
Source: Getty Images

Do NASCAR pit crew members have other jobs?

The crew members may have other jobs but are mostly connected to NASCAR racing. Most of them end up doing their jobs within their teams. Such jobs include fabricators, welders and technicians.

Do NASCAR drivers keep prize money?

NASCAR drivers are some of the highest-paid athletes. Their craft is intense and requires a lot of skill and concentration. The salaries of NASCAR drivers range between $50,000 for beginners to a whopping $10 million for experienced drivers.

They also take home the prize money, which they share with their crew, owners and sponsors. One of the highest prize money ever given was $23.6 million for the Daytona 500.

NASCAR cup series pit crew salary
Austin Hill lifts the Alsco Uniforms 300 trophy in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco Uniforms 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 04, 2023. Photo: Meg Oliphant
Source: Getty Images

How do you become part of NASCAR's pit crew?

Being a pit staff takes work, and it is highly competitive. Most pit staff are usually athletes who do not end up on the race tracks. They are chosen as they are described as competitive, and they know what it takes to win a race. They also have a basic know-how of the race track. Pit crew coach Keith Flynn said,

"The thing that makes them stand out the most, to me, is the ability to be coached and take coaching. Once we give them a correction we see if they can apply that correction the next one. If we have to give it to them again and again, then that's not what we are looking for. If they get upset the next time we give them that correction, then we know we have a good one because they are taking it serious and it means something to them to do it correctly."

The candidates are taken through our day minicamp and are later interviewed to make a selection. They are also expected to be athletic, as many movements are required.

The average NASCAR pit crew salary ranges between $21,010 to $63,330 annually. Their median salary is estimated to be around $37850 before bonuses. The crew chief takes up the top spot among the NASCAR pit crew salary. NASCAR drivers are some of the highest-earning athletes and can take home over $10 million. All the staff get bonuses apart from the utility man, who is at the bottom of the rank but is still as important.

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Sospeter Itolondo
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