7 former NFL players turned NASCAR pit crew
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When the final whistle blew on their football careers, a surprising number of former NFL players found a second act under the hood of NASCAR.
These athletes bring the same grit, power, and split-second reflexes that defined their football days to racing. Only now, they’re shaving tenths off 12-second pit stops instead of clocking quarterbacks.
Josh Bush
From the Broncos, Bills, and Jets to Richard Childress Racing, Trackhouse Racing
A Super Bowl champion with the 2015 Denver Broncos, Bush took his football IQ to NASCAR. He joined Richard Childress Racing in 2021 and later moved to Trackhouse Racing.
As a tire changer, he treats every pit stop like a play: studying tape, sharpening technique, and syncing up with his crew the same way he did with defensive backs.
Boone Stutz
From the Falcons and Seahawks to Stewart-Haas Racing
A former long snapper for Atlanta and Seattle, Stutz transitioned to NASCAR in 2014 through Stewart‑Haas Racing’s development program. By 2015, he had become the gasman (and strength coach) for Danica Patrick’s No. 10 team.
He assisted with fueling and weight training, bringing football‑posture insights into pit‑road prep. His last known position was as a key member of SHR’s pit‑road athletic staff.
Aaron Walker
From the 49ers, Rams, and Ravens to Hendrick Motorsports
After five NFL seasons as a tight end, Walker became a backup jackman on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports crew in 2010
He used his explosiveness and footwork from the field to rapidly and safely lift cars during high-pressure stops. Though he didn’t stay long in NASCAR, his crossover laid groundwork for similar athlete transitions.
Andre Neblett
From the Panthers and Patriots to the Drive for Diversity Program
Neblett joined the 2016 Drive for Diversity pit crew combine and quickly became one of the top ten earners of a developmental spot. His disciplined routine mirrored football practice: lift together, move as one, and maintain split-second timing. It’s what he calls a strategic dance under pressure.
Jonathan “Tig” Willard
From the Titans and Packers to Stewart-Haas Racing
Willard has over a decade of experience in NASCAR since transitioning from linebacker to tire carrier. He currently supports Ryan Preece’s No. 41 car with Stewart-Haas Racing. He describes pit stops as a new kind of adrenaline rush that channels the exact same skills he honed on the field—explosiveness, anticipation, and absolute trust in the guy next to you.
Jeremy Kimbrough
From Washington to Trackhouse Racing
Kimbrough’s NFL career was cut short by a shoulder injury, but he quickly found a new arena.
He joined NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity pit crew development program in 2016 and became a standout. Today, he works as a front tire carrier for Daniel Suárez’s No. 99 car at Trackhouse Racing, where his agility and speed make a big impact under pressure.
Marshall McFadden
From the Steelers, Raiders, and Rams to Kaulig Racing
McFadden played linebacker in the NFL before stepping away from football in 2017. Living near Charlotte, he answered a call from a friend in racing and jumped into training.
He now serves as jackman for Kaulig Racing’s No. 16 car and helped secure a Daytona 500 victory in 2021. He says the team dynamic on pit road reminds him a lot of game day…just faster and with more gas fumes.
Why NASCAR wants football players
NASCAR has been actively recruiting former college and pro athletes for over a decade. Programs like Drive for Diversity and team-led scouting have focused on athletes who bring raw power, agility, and mental toughness. The pit crew has never been just about mechanics. It’s about performance under fire. Pit stops are athletic events, and ex-NFL players have exactly the kind of mindset (and muscle) teams are looking for.
