Getting to know Mark Anderson, Raced Parts Manager
CONCORD, N.C. (March 19, 2010) -- Ever wonder what happens to the used parts from NASCAR Sprint Cup Chevrolets? At Hendrick Motorsports, Mark Anderson obtains these items, stores them and sells them when the time is right.
Full name: Mark Allen Anderson
Hometown: I was born in Summerville, S.C., but grew up in Marietta, Ga.
Education: Industrial Engineering Degree from Southern Tech (division of Georgia Tech) in 1983.
Team/Job duties: Raced Parts Manager – I’m responsible for selling all of Hendrick Motorsports’ used and new obsolete parts and equipment. I sell everything from buckets of bolts to complete race cars. I also manage the site’s on-hold inventory. These are parts that have been used or made obsolete, but are still too proprietary to be sold right away. The on-hold inventory is typically warehoused from one to two years, and then reviewed to see if it can be released for sale.
Time at current job: Eight years.
On how often the parts are used: When a team or department releases a used part to be sold, it still has a significant “life” left in it. Other teams in some of the lower racing series can come in and get high quality parts for a reasonable price.
First job overall: Process engineer for Kimberly-Clark. I worked in their nonwoven fabrics division. These fabrics are used in products such as medical gowns, scrubs, diapers, car covers, etc.
If I wasn't in racing I would be: I’d probably be an engineer in some boring job in the “real world.”
Favorite track: Atlanta (Motor Speedway). Growing up in the Atlanta area I went to a several races there when I was younger. It became kind of like my home track. Charlotte (N.C.) is a close second!
Hobbies outside of racing: My family. Traveling with my family to Florida to see relatives.
Favorite sport other than racing: College Football. I pull for Georgia Tech and Florida (my wife graduated from UF).
On an off weekend you can find me: My favorite thing to do is work on cars and motorcycles. I like working on Corvettes. I’ve owned a few, including a ’79, ’72, ’96 and ’99. But you will normally find me working around the house instead.
Pets: We have a cat and a rescue dog.
Favorite food: Steak and seafood
Favorite type of movie: Anything with action.
Favorite book: Stephen King’s “The Stand.”
Favorite music: 70’s rock. As long as it’s rock and roll and good-sounding music I like it.
What you’ll find on my iPOD: Mostly rock and a little country. I’m also a closet classical fan (don’t tell anyone!) so you will find some of that on there as well.
Dream car: Chevrolet C6 Corvette ZR1. I’m trying to find that waiting list for one of Mr. (Rick) Hendrick’s hand-me-downs!
If I could meet anyone, I’d meet: There are a few, but since I moved Raced Parts up to the original Hendrick Motorsports buildings on the hill, I’ve heard a lot of stories about Harry Hyde. I think I’d love to have been able to sit down with Harry and listen to his stories.
If I ran NASCAR, I’d: Bring back true stock cars and throw in some dirt track races.
One thing people don’t know about me: The one thing that I think the majority of people don’t know about me is that I’m a degreed engineer.
I knew I wanted a job in NASCAR when: The company I was working for in Mooresville (N.C.) closed down, and I didn’t want to move away from the Charlotte area. Through a good friend that works here, I was able to get my foot in the door and develop this used parts program. I kinda fell into it, but once I realized I had the opportunity to work for a company like Hendrick Motorsports it felt like I was getting a chance to retire and go “play” in racing. For people like me that have worked outside this industry for most of their career -- in the “real world” as I call it -- this is a dream job. To work for somebody like Mr. Hendrick, and have a job in this kind of environment, is a once in a lifetime opportunity.