Orleans Racing has hired a pit crew from 5 Off 5 On, a professional pit-crew training program in North Carolina, to assist with Steve Park’s #62 Orleans Dodge in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Gateway International Raceway July 17. The jackman, tire changers and tire carriers will be supplied by 5 Off 5 On, while the gasman and catch can will remain Orleans Racing team members. Each crew member from 5 Off 5 On is a graduate of the program who has worked in one of NASCAR’s top three divisions. “We are bringing a freelance group to St. Louis to give our guys the time they need to focus on being the championship-level team they have proven they can be,” General Manager Fritz Kroyer said. “Our team has dealt with a lot of personnel changes in the past few months. As a result, the guys have had to work more overtime than normal in the shop to get caught up. They have put so much emphasis on building trucks that they haven’t been able to focus on their training. Every one of the guys on this team are capable of performing flawlessly, but they are exhausted mentally and physically.” The crew members also have created a team captain position. They elected front-tire changer Harley Rauch, who has been with the team since it opened in 2000, for the job. “Harley has been with this team since Day 1, and he never gives up,” Kroyer said. “He was chosen by his peers for the team captain position, and he will do a great job motivating the team.”
#62 Crew List for Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 200
Front-tire Changer, Eric Sainer, 5 Off 5 On
Front-tire Carrier, Jon Dame, 5 Off 5 On
Rear-tire Changer, Daniel Smith, 5 Off 5 On
Rear-tire Carrier, Frank Brasfield, 5 Off 5 On
Jackman, Jason Riggs, 5 Off 5 On
Gasman, Bill “Wingnut” Caldwell, Orleans Racing
Catch Can, Craig Nemes, Orleans Racing.(Orleans Racing PR)(7-17-2004)
