Daytona Bound!!!!

jeffreaux2

I spent last week in Charlotte, North Carolina where NASCAR is King! A close friend, who has worked his way into the upper ranks of the NASCAR elite, offered me a tour of their shop facilities as they prepared for the Daytona Shootout, Duals, and 500 races. He and I went to school together for 12 years and also worked together for 3 years. As teens we spent plenty of time together working on cars. Back then, we spent a lot of time at the local dragstrip, but his dad also had a car they raced on a local dirt track. His shop now a days is a far cry from where we once dirtied our hands for the sake of speed!!!:D

He is Crew Chief for Mark Martin's #5 Chevy, and has formerly served as crew chief for Jeff Gordon, Kyle Bush, Brian Vickers, Dale Earnhart Jr, and even a race or two for Jimmy Johnson.


This is a car coming together in its construction. The roll cage section dimensions and specs are dictated by nascar and the guidlines for construction are closely adhered to. This is also the case for many other parts of the cars.



In this shot, the mechanic is squaring up the primary frame sections for a chasis.



In this shot, one of the men is taking measurments on the car. There are several locations on the cars that are use as "way points" where a measuring device is "homed" to allow for precise three dimensional measurements. (See the red "arm"). The construction of these cars is very exacting as NASCAR will eventually inspect components of the cars to be sure they meet NASCAR requirements. These same components can also be the subject of random inspections later in the life of the car.



The builders use a jig or template to assemble the body components. As with the less visible parts, NASCAR has strict guidlines reguarding the shape of the body. This is a front end template.



...and a body template....hanging in the air.




In this wider angle shot you can see many body template hanging above the shop floor.



And here a template is being used. The windshield, hood section, trunk lid and roof sections are actual stock components from Chevrolet. The remaining body panels are fabricated in the shop from flat metal. The nose is also a fabricated piece. Parts are first attached to the template to insure proper "NASCAR" tolerances are met. Then the template with parts attached is lowered into place on the chasis and parts are mounted to the chasis while the template holds them in their "rules" dictated places.



Heres one a bit farther along....



Here a hauler is being prepared for Daytona. The cars will be driven onto the ramp and lifted straight up to the upper deck. The upper section holds two complete cars and the hauler carries enough parts to "more or less" build a third car. Notice this is the hauler for the #5 Mark Martin piloted Go Daddy Chevrolet, but the guy working inside is wearing a #24 shirt. The #5 car and #24 (Jeff Gordon) cars share the same shop. The other Hendricks owned cars, #88 Dale Earnheart Jr and #48 Jimmy Johnson share a separate shop next door.



...a peek inside of the #24 hauler...(These haulers were loaded and sent out to Daytona the day after these shots were taken.)




This is Mark Martin's cockpit....




...and a few more shop pics....










...and a few from the lobby....:D







#48, driven by 5 time champion JImmy Johnson.



It was an impressive place to visit. I was even more impressed with the sights of the engine and machine shops where I was politely asked NOT to take photographs and with the "Heritage Museum" which I was allowed to photograph but asked not to post online.

kithylin

Fascinating... I sure didn't know that NASCAR's "long arm of limitations" applied to the chassis and construction as well.

It's interesting to look through your 'virtual tour' though, even if personally I'd be more interested to see shots of Ferrari's Formula1 shop myself.. not much of a NASCAR fan.

black mamba

Very nice series. To the interested eye, they do a good job of imparting to the viewer a real sense of the financial commitment required from a modern-day race effort....particularly one of the scope and range of the Hendrick bunch.

Tom

jeffreaux2

black mamba wrote: »

Very nice series. To the interested eye, they do a good job of imparting to the viewer a real sense of the financial commitment required from a modern-day race effort....particularly one of the scope and range of the Hendrick bunch.

Tom

THAT was exactly my main comment as we walked from building to building. It requires a LOT of money to run an operation like this. You only see one #5 car on the track, but there are probably at least ten of them in existence at any given time...maybe more. For the four Hendricks cars, 60 (sixty) engines were taken to Daytona. They dont come cheap, and built enjines lined the halls and walls of the enjine shop!

Nearly every part is manufactured on-site. They even build their own altenators there.

It was pretty insane.

jeffreaux2

kithylin wrote: »

Fascinating... I sure didn't know that NASCAR's "long arm of limitations" applied to the chassis and construction as well.

It's interesting to look through your 'virtual tour' though, even if personally I'd be more interested to see shots of Ferrari's Formula1 shop myself.. not much of a NASCAR fan.

Ha....and Indy / Formula 1 cars do nothing for me!

To choose....I still prefer the quarter mile long straight tracks!!!....and of course the cars and motorcycles that are propelled down them!!!


The regulations are, I think, mostly to promote competitiveness as well as safety.

M38A1

What a tremendous experience to have seen that first hand. And thank-you for providing a glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes.

ashrugged

Grat story
Beautiful pictures to go with it. You really got great color and lighting in that clean shop.

grimace

Jeff, you bite!!

Being a HUGE NASCAR fan that is the opportunity of a life time. I can't even begin to tell you what I'd do for that opportunity!!

You really captured the whole experience well. Thanks for sharing with all of us. If you have more post them!!

aktse

It looks like a fantastic day! So much engineering (and love) involved!

Ed911

Thanks for the tour. This is on of my favorite things about photography...the tours...seeing something that you might never have a chance to otherwise.

Way cool..

Nice work...

Thanks for sharing....

jeffreaux2

M38A1 wrote: »

What a tremendous experience to have seen that first hand. And thank-you for providing a glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes.

Your welcome!!!

jeffreaux2

ashrugged wrote: »

Beautiful pictures to go with it. You really got great color and lighting in that clean shop.

Thank you.

Artistically the photos are really lacking....but they do reflect some of what I was able to see. I have to admit though...I had buck fever and had to keep reminding myself to pick up my jaw...put the camera to my eye and take photos.

The engine and machine shops were even cleaner than whats depicted here....and the guys who were assembling engines were in slacks and golf shirts.....in cubicles! It all appeared very meticulous....and VERY expensive.

jeffreaux2

grimace wrote: »

Jeff, you bite!!

Being a HUGE NASCAR fan that is the opportunity of a life time. I can't even begin to tell you what I'd do for that opportunity!!

You really captured the whole experience well. Thanks for sharing with all of us. If you have more post them!!

Believe me....when I was waiting in the lobby of the #5 and #24 shop with all the other fans (there on vacation no doubt) and since my bud was in a crew chief meeting he sent the shop manager to get me to come hang out "inside the shop" I felt very lucky. All those folks with their faces pressed against the windows and me being escorted inside!....and even way beyond what is imaginable behind the far walls.

While Id like to share all of the photos ,I did make promises ...and so....to maintain my 30 something year friendship.....Ill have to leave it with these already posted.

I do have a standing invite to get REALLY behind the scenes at the race of my choice though. I am hoping that next year I will be able to take my son to one of the races....and of course....the cameras.


Now, since these were shot, #88 qualified for the pole but wrecked (twice) and is in his third car and will start at the back of the field since he has a different car than his qualifying car.

#5 was also wrecked (in the bud shootout) but wasnt damaged bad enough to be replaced. It performed very well in the duals and had the fastest lap at yesterdays practice session.

#24 finished best in the duals and will start the 500 next to the pole sitter.

#48 has run strong but been very quiet...but...if you are a fan then you know this is normal for J.J. He just kinda hangs around til the end of the races....til the end of the season...sneaking the wins...and winning championships.

The chevy cars , though....all seem to be at a sore disadvantage to the fords as far as engine cooling goes. And it appears that being able to keep the engines cool...and therefore stay tucked into the two car drafts with a few switches as possible will be a HUGE factor in the 500. And of course...keeping the car in one piece til the end!

jeffreaux2

aktse wrote: »

It looks like a fantastic day! So much engineering (and love) involved!

It was intersting to see that the younger guys worked on aesthetics. The engines, frames, suspensions, and metal work appeared to be being built by mostly middle aged fellows. They all seemed genuinely interested it generating the absolute best they had to offer in their work.

jeffreaux2

Ed911 wrote: »

Thanks for the tour. This is on of my favorite things about photography...the tours...seeing something that you might never have a chance to otherwise.

Way cool..

Nice work...

Thanks for sharing....

Hey Ed!!!

Thanks for the kind words.


I hesitated to post these...as they can hardly compare at all to the lush landscapes and scenery often depicted in "journeys".

But in the end...well...it was my journey.


I shot all these with a Canon 50D and 17-55 F2.8IS lens. In the shop I managed some snappy shutter speeds at ISO800 and even some at ISO 400. The car collection (not pictured here) required some slower speeds and ISO1600. I had brought my medium format Yashica film camera, hoping I could get some classic cars with the classic camera, but at those speeds I couldnt justify taking the time to use it. My fastest film was 400. Maybe next time!:D

ruexp2

Great to see these beautiful cars and the shop. Excellent captures. Tomorrow at Daytona is going to be quite interesting, can't wait for the green flag to drop.

jeffreaux2

ruexp2 wrote: »

Great to see these beautiful cars and the shop. Excellent captures. Tomorrow at Daytona is going to be quite interesting, can't wait for the green flag to drop.

Yikes...it was very interesting.

A record number of lead changes and caution flags for wrecks. It seems the new surface made it critical to avoid the wrecks. In the end, a 20 year old new comer finished first in an undamaged car.

The #5 car was involved in an early wreck that collected a third of the cars in the race. Following repars he was three laps down, but came back to finish 10th.

A top ten finish from three laps down is very good. It's open season now!!!:D

Daddy0

I pull for all Chevy drivers, but I am very partial to Dale, Jr since Sr is no longer an option. That definitely was an opportunity of a lifetime. I am surprised you got to post any pics at all, considering how secretive those guys are on their cars. These are multi, multi million dollar operations and the things that they have lee way on they guard with their lives. If I am not mistaken, all the shops are climate controlled and have high tech air filtration systems that make them close to completely dustless. I imagine you could eat off the floors they are so clean. Awesome photos. If you ever need a second shooter when you go back, I can work for free!!!!!

moose135

Really nice work, Jeff! I've been going to Pocono for 20+ years, helped out an ARCA team a few years, so it's interesting to see what goes on back at the shop. I'm a Mopar guy, but it sure was amazing to see Trevor Bayne get the win - he certainly earned it!

jeffreaux2 wrote: »

It was intersting to see that the younger guys worked on aesthetics. The engines, frames, suspensions, and metal work appeared to be being built by mostly middle aged fellows. They all seemed genuinely interested it generating the absolute best they had to offer in their work.

I once heard an old crew guys say that the best fabricators and newest body guys work on the race cars, and the newest fabricators and best body guys work on the show cars. Makes a lot of sense doing it that way!

ChrisJ

I thoroughly enjoyed the inside look into a NASCAR shop. What a treat! The race itself was crazy... Thanks for sharing these.

JoiJoi

Nice shots.
We visited the BMW factory during my husband european delivery for his 335iS last fall and it was quite awesome.!

Tracker

Nice shots. Starting to get the full NASCAR exposure as a new transplant to Mooresville, NC.

grimace wrote: »

Jeff, you bite!!

Being a HUGE NASCAR fan that is the opportunity of a life time. I can't even begin to tell you what I'd do for that opportunity!!

You really captured the whole experience well. Thanks for sharing with all of us. If you have more post them!!

You should make a trip to Mooresville, NC, aka Race City USA. There's something like 18 NASCAR teams headquartered there and most have some sort of fan access.
http://www.racecityusa.org/racing/