While it may have been a slightly more relaxed environment for media guys like Chad and I at the 2015 PRO Winter Warm Up, the work was not any less intense than a regular race week for the crew men and woman who wrench on the nitro fueled monsters that were attacking the track. Those big blown enignes don’t know or care about the difference between race day and test day so when the drivers were standing on the throttle and header flames were leaping out of the pipes, they were eating up the same parts they usually do, turning clutch discs into the same red hot plates they always do, and required all the same turn around maintenance they always do as well. This was a week for new crew members to settle into their jobs, for seasoned ones to knock the rust off, and for drivers to make sure they had their own program together for the upcoming NHRA Winternationals.
These photos are from the pits and only the pits. You’ll see cars torn down, engines bring built up, and parts galore. This box o’ pistons is a good example of what we were saying above. The violence and power of nitromethane is unabated by the date, time, or track. From funny cars to top fuelers, and even nostalgia funny cars, these photos have a little something for everyone. If you have ever dreamed of being a crew member on a pro race team these photos provide a little peek into what those duties entail and the long days they come with it. Some love the life, some washout quick, but anyone who has ever done it will tell you the same thing….it ain’t easy!
Enjoy these photos from the pits at Palm Beach International Raceway, they are truly gearhead art
Some great shots here! After a million pictures of car and engines, finally some wrenching shots. I always enjoy seeing the equipment, tools and custom fixtures these teams use. Am I the only one?
Carbon fiber header covers? Really? Keep this type of spending up DSR and 8 car fields are soon to follow. I mean, if they have this amount of extra dough, imagine where else on the car they’ve spent excessive amounts…
Trick but sad in the long run, IMO.