Getting to know Brandon Harder, gas man for the No. 48 Chevrolet

CONCORD, N.C. -- Now in his fourth year with Hendrick Motorsports, Brandon Harder has gone from a prospect to a pivotal player on the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet. Meet Brandon:

Full name: Brandon Daniel Harder

Nickname: Marlo. My dad started calling me Marlo Brando then it just stuck as Marlo. But only people in my hometown know me as that.

Hometown:  Oak Harbor, Ohio.

Education: Attended and studied construction management at Bowling Green (Ohio) State University.

Team/job duties: Gas man for the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet. During the week, I work in the truck bay, rebuild and do maintenance on fuel heads as well as help in other departments when needed.

Time at current job: This is the first year being a gas man, second year working in the No. 48/88 shop and fourth year at Hendrick Motorsports.

Years in racing: Five.

First racing job: I worked at Nick Pistone Racing (Legends/Late Models/Trucks), which is located in Mooresville, N.C.  I did a little bit of everything there.

First job overall: Mowed lawns for my uncle, who had his own business.

If I wasn't in racing I would be: On some tropical island.

Best racing memory: My first win with the No. 48 Lowe’s team going over the wall at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

Favorite track: Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.

Favorite Hendrick Motorsports win: Any time we cross the finish line first.

Hobbies outside of racing: Working around the house, boating, and I used to compete in demolition derbies but I haven’t done that in a few years.

Favorite sport other than racing: Football.

On an offweekend you can find me: On the lake or visiting somewhere outside of North Carolina.

Favorite vacation spot: Being on a cruise traveling from island to island during the summer or in the mountains enjoying the snow during the winter.

Favorite movie: “Days of Thunder.”

Favorite music: A little bit of everything. It depends on what kind of mood I’m in.

Best concert you’ve ever been to: Country Concert in Ohio, which is a music festival where country music artists play during the course of a couple days.

What you’ll find on my iPod: All kinds of different music and Solitaire.

Favorite phone app: Pandora Radio.

My current car is: 2006 Chevrolet Silverado.

My dream car is: 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle.

If I could meet anyone, I’d meet: My ancestors.

Favorite food: Italian.

When I’m training, I always: Have to be listening to music.

If I ran NASCAR, I’d: Have a lot of people dislike me.

One thing people don’t know about me:  My right calf is bigger than my left calf.

Before the race, I always: Set up the pit box, get fuel cans ready, look over the car, go through items in the hauler, listen to a few songs and use the restroom.

During a pit stop, I’m thinking: Things happen so fast you just react and do what we have been trained to do.

I knew I wanted a job in NASCAR when: I finished school and moved south.

Best part of your job: I get to do what I love every day, and I am happy to go to work.

Favorite Hendrick Motorsports paint scheme: I don’t really have an all-time favorite. I think our cars always look good no matter what paint scheme we have.