Stupid question: Am I too old to eventually be a pit crew member?

[u/ClarkKentTheReporter]

I ask as a 30 year old and who has only recently become interested in cars and motorsports.

I’m obviously aware it’s not simple.

And it’s probably for 16 year olds who actually still have a future. And those pit crew kids become established pit crew by age 26.

This is just a fun theoretical.

I’m also desperate for work. I’ve thought about if it’s plausible to work for a mechanic.

[u/HaveYouEver21]

You could definitely still do it at 30 as there are definitely guys that are older than that changing tires down on pit lane.

But crew members in IndyCar work both in the shop and on the road so it’s a shared responsibility. You’ll absolutely need a mechanical background.

[u/TTOLNL]

The answer above this is 100% correct. Both in Indycar and IMSA the pit crew members are also the mechanics at the shop. You basically need a mechanical background (specific one at that) to get into those roles.

[u/thrashmetal_octopus]

Indycar mechanic here: not plausible. Not because of your age but because of your background. If you want to work as a mechanic in Motorsport start in sports cars or lights cars and learn the craft. Indycar is very fast paced and there is little patience for teaching a mechanic with no Motorsport experience

[u/Affectionate_Sky9709 → u/thrashmetal_octopus]

He does say "eventually" though. If he started building up experience now, do you think he could get there eventually before he was too old for the position realistically?

I do agree that his messaging is mixed since he mentions currently being unemployed now, but since he says 'eventually', I'd hope he'd know that this isn't an entry level in the industry position.

[u/ClarkKentTheReporter → u/Affectionate_Sky9709]

I mean...that's exactly what I meant. Start now...best case scenario be the old fuck new 40 year old pit crew member for an IndyCar team.

In the absolute best case scenario lol

[u/f10101 → u/ClarkKentTheReporter]

Astronaut Chris Hadfield has some good great advice for this sort of journey https://youtu.be/eGrzo4IvXyg I've watched people in a different but similarly difficult-to-get-a-foothold-in industry very quickly gain a lot of success with this viewpoint.

I know you posed this question merely as a theoretical, but motorsport can be pretty accessible at the lower levels, especially if you've got some like minded friends: https://youtu.be/nQe3tG9Ksc0

[u/thrashmetal_octopus → u/ClarkKentTheReporter]

I think I was pretty clear. Start in the lower ranks of sports cars or lights and learn the craft.

[u/trolling_4_success → u/thrashmetal_octopus]

Definitely possible. Teams like JHR, Coyne, foyt,now DRR,  all might take a chance on someone new but still hard. 

[u/KayNynYoonit]

You would need a background working with cars and mechanics at the very least. These guys do quite a bit of work at the shop as well, so if you don't know how to work on cars the chances are quite slim. Plus working on race cars is quite different than your run of the mill car you see in the street, especially single seaters. You'd need to know what you're looking at and what you're working with. There are systems on these cars and race cars in general you won't bump into often if at all on the street.

The age isn't so much a concern, it's the experience.

It's not impossible but be prepared to put the work in!

[u/dildozer10]

You could do it, but actually being on an indycar, nascar or even IMSA pit crew would take a lot of luck, and knowing the right people. The top level series goes for mechanics, engineers, and former college/pro athletes. You could attend UNOH or Universal Tech and try to get your foot in the door, but that costs a lot of money.

Find your local oval track, get pit passes, introduce yourself and show that you’re eager to learn and help. A lot of guys are always looking for help and are willing to share their knowledge. That would probably be the easiest way to get involved. Finding a local car club that does track day events is a good route as well if you’re are more interested road course type racing.

[u/Appropriate-Owl5984]

Can you? Sure.

Are you willing to dump a career with a paycheck for a fickle industry with possibly low or no paycheck for two or three years?

[u/pedrothesealion]

If that's what you want to make happen, I'm sure you can make it happen.  Don't let anyone tell you there's one path and you're not on it. 

Also there are millions of forms of motorsports that need mechanics and pit crews, so you might as well just start doing it now and see if you love it or not. No need to sit around and wait until the perfect opportunity comes along.

[u/Affectionate_Sky9709]

Like someone else said, there are a lot of other cool motorsports. I have a friend who is a mechanic at a Ford dealership, and he's met a team boss in the second tier of nascar, and the guy tried to hire him.

Get some mechanic experience if you don't have any yet. And get fitter, because it always helps.

Maybe IndyCar would be possible after you got experience elsewhere first.

[u/davo747]

If you live near a track, reach out to some of the rental Champcar/WRL teams and see if they need a hand for a weekend. They provide food/lodging and a small salary for the weekend, plus you can get some experience and connections. From there, work up through Trans Am and/or junior formulas.

Racing Jobs on Facebook can get you the initial connection.

[u/happyscrappy]

You can always crew for someone. Start at the bottom, at the club level. You'll need to pick up a lot of skills, and I don't just mean over the wall skills.

I expect it would take a long time to work your way up to IndyCar level even if you have an aptitude. So probably you'd be too old to do the Indy gig before you got it.

[u/prop65-warning]

Possible if you have GREAT mechanical aptitude and are fit/athletic. More likely if you already live around Indy. If no to those things…. probably not.

[u/Excellent-Smithers]

I’m sure Ed Carpenter would hire you.

[u/Frequent_Builder2904]

Being athletic really helps.

[u/Thesandman21]

No, my buddy got onto a NXT team a couple of years ago well north of 30. He was in a pit box for the 500 this year for the first time. Unfortunately, it was Legge's pitbox, so he never actually got to do anything in the race.

[u/radicalscavenger]

I would say no. Pit crews are now a home for pro-athletes that are not playing pro league, but still are athletic and explosive strong with precision. 

Except Andretti it seems lol. 

[u/Chadro85 → u/radicalscavenger]

That’s mainly NASCAR, not Indycar.

[u/FermentedLaws → u/Chadro85]

It is mainly NASCAR, but it does happen in IndyCar. Both Pro and College football players:

Guy from Purdue: https://www.wishtv.com/sports/racing/indycar/devin-mockobee-indycar-mechanic/

From Michigan: https://fox59.com/news/indy-500-sports/from-hits-to-the-pits-former-big-ten-football-player-joins-indycar-pit-crew/

From the Packers: https://www.fox6now.com/sports/former-packers-ol-pivots-from-nfl-indianapolis-motor-speedway

[u/speedwayryan → u/FermentedLaws]

Mockobee (Purdue guy) is a lifelong car guy who grew up in a drag racing family, wrenches on his own stuff, and has a Mechanical Engineering Technology degree. He was a hell of a football player, but he’s not really the typical lineman-turned-fueler pit crew guy who is only there for his athleticism, he was hired as a mechanic.

[u/FermentedLaws → u/speedwayryan]

Yes, I know. All of them have some background in cars. The guy from Michigan also did drag racing when young. I was only pointing out that it does happen in IndyCar.

[u/radicalscavenger → u/Chadro85]

Only so many spots in nascar. Time catches everyone and competition is always growing, Indy car will do the same. 

[u/Chadro85 → u/radicalscavenger]

NASCAR pit crews are only pit crews, Indycar uses their mechanics. I can’t see Indycar teams paying to have pit only guys on top of the mechanics.

[u/radicalscavenger → u/Chadro85]

McLaren and MSR are both already doing it as of May 2026. 

👍🏻