So you want know what it’s like to be on a top fuel racing team? 
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- Опубліковано 14 бер 2024
- Watch my short video about what it takes to be on a top fuel team in the NHRA . As you follow along, you will soon find out it’s not the most glorious job in the world. But it can have great rewards ! 
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Rob, America needs more teachers like you. That job requires the utmost in personal discipline, something that needs to start at birth and reenforced throughout a lifetime. If I wasn't 62 years old, I'd be fighting for that job! LOL, don't worry, I'm not applying!
Thanks brother!
You're welcome!
I don't look up to many people, but you are definitely one of the few!
Keep being you!
I acheived the dream of working in a Top Fuel team about 8 years ago, got to work under Lee Beard which was a fantastic honour. As a former Crew Chief for a few Speedway teams previously, being back on the bottom was the best learning experience I could have had. Turns out, the dream was not for me. To anyone reading this, it's work. It's repetitive, it's tiring, the schedule is brutal, everywhere you go starts to look the same and the adventure of it wears off real fast but, it can be the most rewarding thing you've ever done in your life. I can thank racing for giving me a fantastic life, and after nearly 30 years of it, still doing it. I have my own team again and now offroad desert racing, so you never know where it'll take you. Welcome back Rob, your vids bring back fond memories.
I just started working on a 3 car BB/FC and FA team, its a blast and I will never stop learning new things. You Mr. Wendland would be an honor to work for. You desire to teach is legendary.
Glad to have you back Rob!
I'm 70 now,wished I knew this 30yrs ago,it was my dream...thank you sir 👍☕️☕️✌️
Three years as a FIG back in the late nineties into the 2000's. I will add one or two things to these comments. If you keep your head down and do your job to the best of your abilities, you will succeed and people will notice. The first of two things that stand out were waiting in the Pro waiver line one Friday morning and John Lingenfelter is in the next line over. Out of the blue he addresses me by name and asks how I am doing. I had never met the man. The second was our car owner cancelled Dallas at the last minute because of weather, the track was flooded. The rig was there and there was an issue with the trailer. I flew down Saturday afternoon, fixed the issue Sunday morning and stayed for the first two rounds of eliminations before heading to DFW to catch a flight back to LA. As we walked from the starting line back to our pit area Bob Stange drives by in his golf cart, slams on the brakes and asks, "Randy, what the hell are you doing in Dallas?" Do your job, do it right and people you have never met will notice. Don't think you are a hotshot because you work on a fuel car. We went through a few of those while I was on that team.
Class all they way. Keeping that driver (and spectators) safe is number) priority and Rob is all about that.
You’re obviously a talented CC, but you also have the gift of making good content, same as Clay Millican. I hope you can find the time and energy to bring us along on your adventures like Clay does, your channel will blow up.
Agreed Clays video done with Steve Morris clay shared so much info about top Fuel its truly a great vid
Working on it!
Last bit of audio was the best! My brain thinks I’m 18 but my body knows I’m almost 76 lol. I did help Stormin’ Norm Weekly change a clutch in 1968 though, so I guess I have qualifications.😂
for the right person willing to learn and grow, Rob would be one of the best to learn under!
I worked my butt off on my brothers competition eliminator dragster back in the eighties and didn’t get paid squat. However, it was the best time of my life lol. 😊
Rob ur vds r so good at helping us common folks to learn and know much more about Top Fuel
Great job of spelling it out.. Truck drivers know the life better than most I would probably say...
You have that right!
As a tech consultant I know about the away from home 200 nights a year. It’s a hardship if married or even seriously dating. But I did it 20 years. A race team job is worse! Pay sucks to be honest given the 12-16 hours days. The work is hard, hot or cold, sometimes kinda dangerous, always under time pressure and still must be done to perfection. A mistake can cost tens of thousands of dollars in lost winnings, destroyed equipment and in the long run lost sponsors if performance sucks. No sponsors, no team and no jobs so everyone has to depend on each other. Being on a race team that travels regardless of series is close to being in the military something like the deck crew on an aircraft carrier. Looks glamorous on TV, but in reality tough work and it’s only for a few people.
Nailed it!
My advice to any applicant...Be careful what you wish for. I've lived it touring with a dirt late model team. The days get mighty long even if you're winning. Especially when you have a family at home. I wouldn't trade the memories for anything but it became too much. Rob you're spot on. Young and single? I'd say live your dream but remember its not as glamorous as it seems.
Well said, Mr. Wendland! Devoted teachers invest in their students and always have an eye on giving them the knowledge and experience required for continuing growth. Anyone working on your team certainly lucked out the day they were hired.
Glad to see another video from ya Rob. Gotta say if I was 20 yrs younger my God I'd love to work for you. You take no shit, put up with no shit, you know what you're doing and I'm sure you're an amazing teacher. And everything you said is 100% true. I sure hope somehow you guys are able to at the least make a few semis or finals and maybe even get a win or more. Best of luck to you and your guys
Thanks for the kind words!
Well said and explained Rob and is absolutely like the Circus , your presenting a big top show ! 👍😎
I gave up my CDL a few years ago so this 71 YO will pass on the offer! Hope you find a good guy.
Great so your saying I'm too old. My time in crewing on a TF car goes back to when we had to push start, and push it back after the burnout. Lol.
Never too old
I did that at Tri-cities. Dragway in Saginaw Michigan for TV TOMMY IVO One hot summer night!!!!😂😂😂
Awesome Explanation of what it takes to be a Racer. I did WoO Sprintcars for 8 years , Nascar Trucks , Busch , Cup for 15 years . Won races and Championships in all series , Its not a job for Pussies or families . Had an Awesome time . Ive had my own business now for 11 years.
Well said ! It's been awhile. Good to see you back out there full time.
Watching your videos I am transported back to being a teenager watching my mentor. What you just said was the cold hard truth , regardless of what professional sport you're in . I'm 55 now Rob , do you ever get amazed at what technology and data today compared to 30-40 years ago ? A couple of buttons pushed replaces hours of work it seems now. Thanks for what you do Sir!
Thanks for watching!
Well said Rob. Hopefully this weeds out the weak. Good luck this year. Go SRR..
Great video sir. Very very informative.
I’m a healthy 60 and have a class A CDL license with Hazmat and doubles/ tanker endorsement. I’m married so probably not the best fit for me. But I truly appreciate this video.
I wish I’d seen this before Gainesville, I worked the event on the starting line and we probably stood right next to each other and I could have thanked you
L I V E. Have a great season. Im rootin’ for ya.
I’m sure we did Dave!
I wish there was a platform that would give crew people the opportunity to talk about their experience. It's a cold game out there, and sometimes the juice isn't worth the squeeze.
Well said. I never keep secrets to protect my own ass, I always pass on every piece of knowledge or experience I have ever gained. That’s what keeps the wheels turning.
Excellent!!
I was not a " fly in guy" ,i was a "drive in guy" lol. I worked as a volunteer on on 2 different top fuel teams that ran within a few hundred miles from my home. So i did a lot of driving,and still had my regular job to get back to. It really is a lot of hard work that goes late into the night. I did this for 4 years and glad i😅 9:58 did it,i dont think i could do it now ,my health isn't so great.
I knew I should have stuck around 30 years ago! Lol Goodluck Rob!
Having been there and done that in an adjacent field, a couple of things to add would be will the applicant own up to mistakes and how would they handle it, and would you write them a referral when and if they left or parted ways.
At interviews I always said everyone messes up and YOU will mess up, it’s up to you how you handle it and be honest about it and the events can be a badge of honour in some respects.
I/we had a policy of recalling anything that anyone had doubts about after it left the shop, and used it as a learning opportunity and didn’t make a deal out of it but also never let the team forget that shit happens and own it when it does.
When things go wrong people had to rely on you that the gear would work while they are looking at the worst day of their lives and their half way through it.
Great video and if I was 30 years younger I’d love it, but it’s hard on you and you need the person you talk about.
Take care n play safe.
Well said!
rob thanks for the good info an been real about wats going with the team
When you realize how few people are actually involved with a top flight team , it gives me pride that Lew Arrington put MY name on the rear wing on the SMOKIN JOE'S MUSTANG!! in 1996 !!!😂😂😂😂😂😂
Great video. I have thought of applying to a team for a long while now, this video explained a lot. My only is that I’m located in Canada and would need to apply for a work visa before hand.
I did wrench turning in the minor leagues of racing for 12 or so years. Met cool people, did a lot of cool things and in general I had fun……but it’s a grind. Long hours, stress, working weekends, especially holiday weekends and traveling the country visiting race tracks, truck stops and hotel rooms. Yes I traveled a lot but I literally only saw the track, the hotel or air bnb and a few truck stops along the way. When you’re living out of a toterhome with 3-4 other doods you shit n shower at truck stops or the race track, doing laundry is an ordeal and eating out all the time gets old. Anyone looking at getting into it, understand it’s not a job it’s a lifestyle.
Travelling Circus! Best description...
Rob, this is good.
Rob, you forgot to say that you have to work in a hot environment and perform at a high level with lots of pressure. Not to mention be able to torque the head studs to 150-180 ft lbs??? and quickly. So you need to be strong too. It looks glamorous but a TON of work. However, when the beast awakes after service....well, there's nothing like it!
Well said!
Helped crew Scott Palmer's car a couple of times.
My friend Kevin Helms is a crew chief.
It would be fun to do. But I can't afford the massive cut in pay and benefits.
Definitely need to have a love for the lifestyle!
@@robwendland
Doesn't matter how much I love it. Gotta be able to support it, and live after you can't do it anymore. Been racing since 1978. If I wasn't working where I could make good money and get decent insurance, my 2022-2023 battle with cancer would have me homeless and bankrupt.
We can just barely look at possibly returning to racing in a couple of years, if the cancer stays gone.
@@AlanRoehrich9651 what kind of cancer?
@@robwendland
A type of throat cancer.
@@AlanRoehrich9651 I have had my battle with tongue cancer. I know your struggles. I will pray for you and your family.
spent one day hangin' around the JFR crew. Great guys, fun experience for sure, but I'm pretty sure I don't want to do it for a living. I'm a candidate for it though, just aged out. Single, love to travel, don't mind relocating, mechanical, former machinest, etc. But I'm not sure that job is right for me. I enjoy time off too much! BUT that time off is usually spent.....DRAG RACING!
You really enjoy the moments off when you get them for sure
I’ve got my semi license, I can tig weld everything, I can fabricate, I’ve been involved in racing my whole life. I’ve been running with a few RvW teams. I grew up around funny cars. My only downfall to what y’all need is I love 5 minutes from RT 66 Raceway and dave Harris is my uncle😂
Good post Brother ... miss your videos ... Hutch
Appreciate it!
GREAT INFO.......Most people don't think about this.
Well said Rob
Right on Marc
NHRA = Never Home Roaming America
🤣🤣🤣
Rob, the truth he speaks!
sounds like a great opportunity .
I really love the rant that was great. That was A1. It seems like you’re really pissed. It also seems like that there’s not a lot of people that want to race anymore. It’s been 10 years for me since I was out there. Lotta people don’t know what it takes they think it’s a lot of fun but once they get out there, they realize it’s a lot of bullshit Like a lot
Wish I would have stumbled into you many years ago.
Your not mean your just serious about what has to be done.
Great video! Didn't realize there were so many dreamers living in moms basement.
Right?!
Hell ya Rob, I didn’t know you were Chiefing again that’s awesome!! Who’s the lucky team??
Shawn Reed Racing
Best of luck to your team this season!! So good to hear from you on your channel again .!!
Yeah, I moved to Claremont when I was 30 with the hopes of getting on a team. After five years with no luck, the wife (Who is from Indy, but we met on Oklahoma) and I decided to move back to where I'm from (Texas). The main issue that I had was the lack of experience on a race team. Even though I mentored under a man that built NHRA Pro Stock engines and was on the road crew. He did that years and just got burnt-out from being on the road 200+ days a year. I had plenty of mechanical experience in repair shops. It was just the no race team experience. Which my "argument" (No I did NOT argue with ANYONE like you might be thinking) was, how can I get race team experience if nobody will give me the opportunity?
But my body started giving out and surgeries were needed. Just an example of who I am, I had to have spinal fusion in my neck. A month and a half after surgery I was running into a burning building at our apartment complex in Speedway to get and make sure everyone was out. Man my wife was PISSED!!! Anyway, I meet a bunch of really cool people, John Force, Larry Dixon, Bill Simson, Tony Stewart, and others) and can hold my head up because I at least tried.
Good luck to the person that gets the job!! Please don't take your chance for granted, it might be the only one you get.
Y'all be safe out there!!
Oh, I went by Mid-West Hoosier tire on Wally Parks Ave. When we'd go back to visit the wifes family they'd hook me up with all sorts of goodies!! Very cool people there if you have the chance to stop by there.
Sorry for any typing errors
God bless!
@@robwendland God bless you Sir!! Giving people the opportunity to fulfill a dream is a HUGE deal. Ya never know, you might totally change someone's life for the better. Yes, they have to earn it. But it's definitely worth it busting your ass for, in my mind. No, I don't know you. But I've been blessed to work for and with men like you. If you're anything close to being like them, You're a good man and one hell of a mentor. Hopefully whomever you hire realizes and knows how to appreciate that.
NO, I'm not trying to blow smoke up your ass. Just calling like I see it.
Be Safe Out There!!🤠😎
Hiring good people feels like a thing of the past. Seems like yesterday taking grandma's old Plymouth over to Lawrence Dragway on Wakarusa road to see how slow that car was. Rock Chalk.
Nailed it. Backed up to that fence for a burnout many times in the past!
Sometimes the most appropriate person can come along at the most unexpected time. Chances are it's that kid that knocks on the shop door without even knowing you're looking for someone. 👍
Hard work. Yep, it will be. Rewarding work? Yeah, I bet it is. But you have a multi-million dollar race team that pushes the very limits of what can be done in 1000ft. One mistake can be disasterous not only on race results, but also on the very lives of those on the team and in the stands. I helped out on a sportman team years ago. It was hard work and I had the easy job. I admire anybody who can do it for a living. I can't... but I can be a fan!
Rob where do I apply? I live 20 min or so away from Brownsburg.
I would jump on that, we would be willing to relocate. Are you going to be in Phoenix?
Yes we are
@@robwendland Hopefully I can catch you at a free moment during the weekend and sit and talk
Get a CDL! Yep. Don't have one. Not close to Indianapolis either. Oh well..
Too many people think that being on a race team is all " fun " , it is actual work. Also too many people think that there is unlimited money, there isn't even in large teams.
Youre ok dude
Where do I apply. I'm 33, single, very mechanically inclined. And willing to travel..
I'll figure it out, sure it's in the info.
Robwendland@gmail.com
Rob you are aman after my own heart I'd imagine you're a decent guy to work for.
To many job candidates do not live on plant earth.
Great to see you back on the tour, hopefully well see more of your interesting posts during the season.
Hopfully see you at theGroove.
👍
See you there
It has to be your entire life if you wanna do it well. There is no room for anything else in your life.
It is a lifestyle choice
I’ve worked on an alcohol team off and on for 30 years. I would never want to work on a fuel car
How and where can I apply for this job?
Robwendland@gmail.com
Sounds like the military.
Maybe a little!
Hard to find good dedicated employees today. Video games and cellphones have corrupted their brains. Your primary candidate would be ex military, truck drivers or railroaders. 3 groups of people that probably couldn't tell you what day of the week it is.
I’d work for you but you’d have to drop the attitude and be willing to learn. 😮😊
That’s funny
@@robwendland ~ I was a crew chief once…. 😀 good luck!
I don’t see how someone can go out and party all night after working a long hot day at a race track.
Hopefully not many do it
GTSY ROB
It gets real old,your in all kinds of weather don’t know what town you wake up in. If you don’t win or aren’t competitive it’s horrible.
Patience with others sounds nill. You sound jaded by your past experiences with everyone.
Jaded…. Maybe. Loyalty and passion are two things that are hard to find but are requirements in this sport. I have no time for those who don’t have it. So William, can I come work for you?
Common sense eh? 😂
Where ya been Rob?! Is it gay for a 52 year old male to say, "missed you and your vids"?! 🤣🤣🤣
I promise I will call you more often! 🤣
😯🤣😂@@robwendland
Can we talk
Yep. Robwendland@gmail.com
Here is a tip for those interested in applying for this job.... if the job description involves drilling and tapping threads - they probably aren't going to be the most successful team in the paddock!! 😂
Actually, there’s a lot of fabrication that goes on in these so drilling and tapping is a requirement. And by the way, we don’t have a paddock those are for pussies.
😂😂😂😂Rob you are man!!! I so wish you were still here in Elkhart!!!