Okay, so you wanna know how to become a NASCAR official? I tried figuring this out myself, and let me tell you, it wasn’t a straight shot like a superspeedway. Here’s how my journey went:
First, I hit up the internet. I mean, where else do you start, right? I typed in “how to become a NASCAR official” and dug through a bunch of websites. Most of it was pretty general, talking about “passion for the sport” and “attention to detail”. Duh, I already knew that!
My Research Road
I needed something more concrete. I started looking at local short tracks. The idea was, maybe I could get some experience there, even if it was just volunteering. I figured, gotta start somewhere, right?
- I called a few tracks near me. Most of them were pretty small operations, run by families and volunteers.
- One track, though, actually had a small, paid officiating crew. The guy I talked to was super helpful.
- He explained that most of their officials started out as volunteers, helping with things like scoring, flagging, and tech inspection.
So, that’s what I did. I signed up to volunteer at that track. It wasn’t glamorous, I’ll tell you that. Lots of standing around, sometimes in the hot sun, sometimes in the freezing cold. But I paid attention. I asked questions. I learned the rules inside and out.
Getting My Hands Dirty
I started with scoring, which basically means keeping track of lap times and car positions. It sounds simple, but you gotta be focused. One mistake and you can mess up the whole race. Then I moved on to helping with tech inspection. This is where you check the cars to make sure they meet all the rules. It’s pretty detailed work, measuring things, checking weights, that kind of stuff.
After a couple of seasons of volunteering, I finally got a chance to work as a paid official at the track. It wasn’t big money, but it was something. And more importantly, it was experience. I kept learning, kept networking, and kept my eyes open for opportunities.
Still On the Track
Honestly, it wasn’t easy. It took time, effort, and a lot of patience. I realized I should find a way to get in touch with NASCAR officials, but it was hard.
So, am I a NASCAR official at Daytona or Talladega? Nope, not yet. But I’m working my way up. It’s a long road, but I’m committed. And who knows, maybe one day you’ll see me on TV, throwing the yellow flag!
