Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Does anyone know what an average salary of WOO pit crew member is?   Also does anyone know what an average salary of a crew chief is?   I don't want to know about the drivers best friend who is doing it over the summer because he is bored.   I want to know for the guys who do it for a living what do they make.   For this conversation, lets assume that they have thier CDL liscense.

Thanks

Jon

This is just under the wire as the post of the year.  The better question is, why do you want to know?  Curiosity? Are you hiring? Just asking a personal question out of boredom? Not to offend you..but to ask people what they make is kinda intrusive and frankly none of your business.

We had an entire thread that started about Clauson losing his ride, but it quickly turned into how much does it cost to run the WOO tour.   Salary cost for the pit crew is something that I thought everyone was under estimating.   Thus, I started a thread to see if someone actually knew the cost.  

I only asked for average salary.  I did not ask how much does Joe Blow make.  

The dollar amount varies with the budget of the team, as well as experience.  In general, crew members receive a moderate base salary and a bonus based upon the team's winning/ weighed against expenses during the year.  Some teams pay the bonus monthly, others quarterly, some at the end of the year.  My information was derived with conversations I had with a former crew member who toured and  wrenched in the 90's.   Additonal information was taken from a friend who wrenched and toured with a few lower budget NHRA/IHRA funny car teams in the 70's and 80's.  My friend learned that the hard way that touring  8 to 10 months per year did not pay well, barely enough to cover the divorce attorney costs.  

$300.to $500. For entry level. $500.to $900. For second level (a couple years experience ). $1,000. To $2,000. Plus percentage for top level guys per week. (crew chief) This is a legitimate question for those interested in working on these cars or wondering what it costs to field a top level car. 

I don't think there's anything wrong with asking what the typical salary range is without naming specific people.  I have often wondered that myself.  A lot of things come to mind, retirement accounts, health insurance, trying to balance things at home while out on the road.  It would be as unpredictable way of making a living as driving one of these cars in a lot of ways.  If a driver brings along his hand picked crew and does not produce results they could very well be out right along with the driver that gave them the opportunity.  I think without naming any names that to just have an overview of the job and what it pays would be interesting.  Just my opinion.

Stan Meissner

Thank you for the detailed answer.

From sprinty11 we get an assinine response, "none of your business" hey,??, maybe we should just do away with this forum. 

Lawlessness + liberalism = HELL -  NYC, Detroit, Chicago, 
Seattle, LA  Who the H runs those cities. 

Retirement accounts. No

Health insurance. No

keeping things balanced at home. Good luck  

Are those  numbers weekly  salary? 

My opinion too

In other words, you don't know the answer so let's insult the person asking the question. 

That was my first thought too.  It's obviously a young man's gig.  LOL

Stan Meissner

You are absolutely right...this is a discussion forum.  I personally think it's tasteless and crass to ask people what they earn for a living.  I have found this forum very enlightening over the years with news about the sport I love.  Sorry if my opinion doesn't hold the weight of the other posters...carry on.

The general public has no difficulty in dicusssing in public forums salaries of teachers.  

Those are weekly numbers, and was my experience as well-in the late 90's with Sammy, Andy Hillenburg, and a few others.  Doubt it's changed much.

From what I've seen, Teachers are always the one to start that discussion

http://gph.is/XMLGff

It was a general question...Sheesh people...Lighten up. If someone were to ask me what the average aircraft mechanic makes, I could give you a number range. Ask me what I make and I'll tell you to stick it up your ass....There's a big difference.....DAMN!

Member of this message board since 1997

Thanks 65

Clearly a fun job for younger guys, or old pros who've earned the higher numbers.... but not a long term plan for security

right...its not like he asked who hides the TC unit in the car and how much they paid for the thing!

Lincoln 1845 ft/.35 mile T1=118MPH 
Eldora 2287 ft/.43mile T3=135MPH
Port 2716 ft/.51 mile T3=TBD
Grove 2792 ft/.53 mile T3=135MPH
Selinsgrove 2847 ft/.54 mile T1=136MPH
"I didn't move to PA from El Paso in search of better 
weather." Van May