Perhaps the coolest thing about BangShift and its evolution over the years are the people that have and still are fans, readers, and participants of this place. It is more than just some website that people happen to stumble across and forget about tomorrow. We have some real deal guys and girls that are part of this thing and it is beyond anything that Chad and I could have ever imagined.
Case in point is the video below that features a longtime BangShifter in the form of Chad Fergen and his son Cole Fergen. They have both been drag racers since forever and Cole decided that he wanted to make a go at the professional ranks. Last season he was a crew guy for Terry McMillan where he learned how to wrench, thrash, and live the crazy lifestyle that comes with the job. After the season was over he applied to other teams and did not hear much. When the phone did not ring he was going to settle in his native South Dakota and take a job, live a normal life and race on his own program. Then the phone did ring.
It wasn’t McMillan again but rather John Force Racing and a job offer he could not refuse. Cole is now a full-time crew guy with JFR working on the dragster of Brittany Force under the guidance of crew chief Brian Husen. His responsibilities include the workings of the rear of the car from the clutch back. It is a specialized job that has already paid dividends with Brittany’s first career win just a few short weeks ago.
Anyway this is all leading to the video below which was made by the Brookings, South Dakota news station that features both Cole and Chad Fergen. Oh, check out the BangShift sticker as well!
Every year at SEMA I’m struck with the reminder that the automotive industry is HUGE. There’s jobs at every level, if you’re an accounting or IT person, the hot rod world needs you just as much as an engineer or a mechanic. But damn…Cole has it pretty sweet!
Sweet! Great to see one of our own doing good!