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Pit Department Facilities
Opened in 1996, the Hendrick Gym consists of a 2,000-square-foot facility located on the premises of Hendrick Motorsports. Overseen by strength and conditioning coach Mark Morrison, the gym houses free weights, cardiovascular equipment, Hammer Strength machines and a variety of specialty equipment. It also offers a minor injury treatment area and video breakdown room.
Besides managing the day-to-day aspects of the Hendrick Gym, Morrison develops fitness regimens for all of the Hendrick pit-crewmembers. The focus of Morrison’s fitness programs are rooted in endurance training, hand-eye coordination, lateral explosive movements, balance, and abdominal power. Crew member’s workouts vary depending on the stage of the season and the travel required by each individual’s full-time position within the team shop. A typical in-season workout may go as follows:
Monday: Full body, high-intensity workout.
Tuesday: Cardio and quick feet drills.
Wednesday: Upper body and strength training specific to pit crew position.
Thursday: Lower body and strength training specific to pit crew position.
Friday: Off.
Morrison’s training philosophy promotes a complete series of exercises designed to prevent injury as well as programs for therapy and rehabilitation. He uses Advocare products for pre- and post-workout nutritional supplementation supplementation as well as chiropractic services from Dr. Mark Pustaver of Matthews, N.C., general medical consultation from Dr. Scott McNair of Charlotte, N.C., orthopedic consultation from Perry and Barron of Charlotte and sports psychology services from Dr. Jack Stark of the Performance Enhancement Group in Omaha, Neb.
“My job is to prepare the crew members to be at their best both physically and mentally when they go over that wall,” Morrison said.
In addition to Morrison’s fitness programs, crew members participate in pit practices run by each teams designated pit coach. The number of pit practices preformed per week will vary depending on the time of the year. During a typical week in the season, Hendrick crew members will find themselves practicing two to three times. Each practice generally will include six to eight full “hot stops.”
Team pit coaches also train crew members to perform their specific duties. Tire changers for example, will work on consistent and smooth lug nut patterns, while tire carriers will work on executing fluid movements around the car.
“In 2003, Hendrick pit crews, both at the Busch and Cup level, won races off of pit road that resulted in those teams winning the race,” said Morrison. “I think the combination of what we do as a department, both in-house and on the track, shows its strength in those outcomes.”
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