![]() ![]() This is how we’ve always done it could be the biggest thing prohibiting us from moving the sport forward in a really powerful way. “We’ve just had a lot of conversations over the years about, man, what could the sport look like if we had a better understanding of how to interact with all different types of fans and what opportunities we are missing because we’ve thought through the same lenses for so long. “It’s tough because you’re talking to your peers that they may not want to hear or just may not have thought about,” Metcalf said. Metcalf believes he has been able to change the perspectives of those he works closely with on the circuit, but the journey to opening up that perspective doesn’t come easy. It’s those difficult conversations and NASCAR’s movement to support social change that led Metcalf, along with fellow Chip Ganassi Racing pit-crew coach Shaun Peet, to provide diversity and inclusion sensitivity training for all pit-crew members in the industry. (We) have tough conversations about things going on racially.” “We do volunteering that’s challenging and hard and tough. ![]() “You can’t have anything efficient unless you trust the people you work with, so that’s a focus,” Metcalf said. Metcalf knows without trust, the other two are hard to accomplish. While winning is equated to speed, speed is equated to trust within your team. ![]() But if we elevate ourselves as men, husbands and fathers - people in the community - I think that’s the bigger win.” “I’ve always tried to make that a priority: If the only thing we do is good pit stops, that’s cool. These are grown men, tough guys, guys that have been in the NFL that are a lot bigger and stronger than I am that just feel comfortable talking to me about relationships and kids and stuff like that. I can’t tell you how many of these guys - not just the Brotherhood guys - the whole crew, guys that would come in, just close the door and break down crying. “It just starts happening where people start calling you for advice on relationships. There’s no crown that comes on you or anything that lets you know you’re now the old guy. “At some point, you start something new and you’re the new guy and then some day, you don’t know when it happens, you go from asking all the questions to people start asking you questions. “I don’t know why I get that name I guess it’s just my focus on making sure that we operate like a family and treat each other with love and respect,” Metcalf said. While he’s the oldest of four siblings, that’s not the reason Metcalf earned the nickname. The Brotherhood circle just calls him “Big Brother.” 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet with new driver Ross Chastain, while he also serves as a pit-crew coach for the organization. This season, he will continue working as a gasman for the No. Mike Metcalf is a former Appalachian State University football player who has been in NASCAR for more than 15 years. ![]() spoke with each member of the Brotherhood for an in-depth analysis of their experiences and what they hope fans of the sport will learn from the exclusive access into their everyday lives. As NASCAR continues to make strides with diversity, fighting social injustice and ensuring an inclusive culture for all, the Brotherhood series provides a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of those who have paved the path. Through the brotherhood culture they’ve built at Chip Ganassi Racing, it shows other African American men and women there is a way into NASCAR, one without all the barriers they’ve had to break down.īut the work will never be over. The five pit-crew members - Mike Metcalf, Jeremy Kimbrough, Kenyatta “Kap” Houston, Jonathan “Tig” Willard and Marshall McFadden - each take on various roles for Chip Ganassi Racing, Spire Motorsports and StarCom Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series.Īll five men came from different backgrounds and experience levels to work their way up to NASCAR’s premier series. In celebration of Black Excellence during Black History Month, NASCAR unveiled a three-part docuseries called “The Brotherhood of NASCAR,” highlighting stories of five African American pit-crew members from Chip Ganassi Racing.įocusing on their relationships on and off the race track, the first of three episodes was released on NASCAR’s YouTube channel and highlights their preparation leading into the 2021 Daytona 500. ![]()
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