Former NFL scout Chris Burkey compares football to racing

CONCORD, N.C. – Nos. 5/24 head pit crew coach Chris Burkey knows a thing or two about NFL football.

As a former scout with the Miami Dolphins, Burkey is well-versed on the ins and outs of the competitive NFL recruiting process that thousands of collegiate football players partake in every year.

And he’s carried that knowledge to Hendrick Motorsports. 

In his current role at the organization, Burkey oversees the pit crew combine that takes place several times in a year in various locations across the country. Every year, he calls on qualified collegiate athletes to trade their shoulder pads and cleats for air guns and firesuits. Similar to the NFL Combine, the recruits are put through a series of drills and exercises that test both their physical and mental abilities as an athlete – and eventually, a potential pit crew member.

With the NFL season kicking off today, Burkey broke down exactly what he typically looks for with each pit crew role and how it relates to the different positions in football.

Tire changer: “Typically, you’re looking at running backs, wide receivers, defensive backs and safeties, based on their body type. You need a good, quick athlete that has good hand/eye coordination. He’s got to have good feet, good strength. Can he bend? He’s got to be flexible.  They play on the ground; they’re always sitting on the ground. Does he have explosive lower body power to come out of a seated position? Are they mentally tough? Tire changers have to be mentally tough. It’s like any other sport you have to be able to deal with the ups and downs and handle pressure with a clear mind to get the job done over a long period of time."

Tire carrier: “Running backs, linebackers, tight ends, bigger safeties – Possibly offensive/defensive linemen – depending on the school. If it’s a smaller school, you may have guys that are smaller than Division 1A OL / DL type guys and you might look at him as a carrier. With the tire carrier position you have to have solid overall strength because they’ve got to handle the 65-pound tire.”

Jackman: “A jackman would be more of a defensive end, tight end-type guy. You can also find an offensive lineman that is really athletic.”

See the above photo that displays No. 88 team jackman Nick Covey in his college football days as a defensive end at Nebraska.

Gas man (fueler): “Fuelers are kind of in between. They could be offensive/defensive linemen, bigger linebackers or fullbacks, because of having to handle that 96-pound can. So they’ve got that strong base, legs and a good upper body.”

But above all else, when recruiting for Hendrick Motorsports, Burkey looks beyond the prospects’ athletic credentials.

“Don’t get struck by the good ones,” Burkey said. “Find the ones that make us better and fit our systems and are good people.”