No matter how you cut it, there’s no replacement for hard work. Everyone in a team, including the pit crew, engineers, and crew chiefs, has to work in unison, synchronized, for their driver to deliver it on the track before the world. Though these guys often work behind the scenes, everything comes down to the driver who is driving the car, who will have to deliver the end punch.
Despite the long-standing debate about work culture in NASCAR, with many so-called enthusiasts deeming it toxic, Xfinity Series driver Parker Kligerman recently came out swinging, saying that being a NASCAR driver is more about the guts and commitment to the sport than the glory.
Parker Kligerman ends the “burnout” narrative in NASCAR, relaying the obvious
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Hard work, unbridled dedication, and resilience are some of the qualities a professional race car driver should possess. The more time and effort you put in, beating on your craft, polishing your skills, and working around the team in the race shop fine-tuning the car, the more you learn and grow as a racer.
In a nutshell, there’s no cutting corners here. It is go big or home, and the drivers that devote themselves without a second thought make it to the top. Reacting to the tweet of a fellow motorsports journalist who tried to expose the toxic work culture in NASCAR, mentioning the example of a team principal, mentioning that teams are having a tough time filling in positions and drivers are holding back from going full-time just because of the long hours.
Over last few years the common response I’ve gotten from engineers & mechanics is one I learned from a late friend of mine “Work-life balance”
40+ weeks of travel demands serious dedication to loving cars going in circles & working on them https://t.co/VbltR2OQdx
— Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) December 20, 2023
Parker Kligerman’s response tweet came out with the perfect response. In his retweet, he noted, “Over the last few years, the common response I’ve gotten from engineers & mechanics is one I learned from a late friend of mine: “Work-life balance.” Mentioning how his late friend showed him the path, Kligerman, who is also a NASCAR pit reporter, wrote, “40+ weeks of travel demands serious dedication to loving cars, going in circles & working on them.”
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With the Xfinity Series driver explaining his take, delivering the verdict by stating the obvious, Joe Gibbs Racing‘s prominent crew member chimed in with his take.
Hamlin’s spotter, Chris Lambert, makes his position clear amidst the brewing online debate
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It certainly takes a lot out of you when you’re going 40+ weeks, chasing gold, and continuing the grind. But unlike many other sports, racing is a team sport that requires equal effort and undivided focus. Drivers and their crews will have to work long hours if they intend to make it to the top, but at the same time, they also have a family to look after and attend to their needs.
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It’s not just a job,it’s a lifestyle,that takes serious dedication from the entire family,especially the spouse.
Just like with anything else in life though,you’re exchanging time for money…and u only have a great employee with high value, until u don’t. Pay them their value.— Chris Lambert (@3widemiddle) December 20, 2023
Reacting to the whole “X” back and forth, Denny Hamlin‘s spotter, Chris Lambert, also chimed in with his take. He said, “It’s not just a job; it’s a lifestyle that takes serious dedication from the entire family, especially the spouse. Joe Gibbs’ employee then went on to reiterate the obvious fact, saying, “Just like with anything else in life, though, you’re exchanging time for money… and you only have a great employee with high value until you don’t. Pay them their value.”
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