Transport, building, loading and unloading are among the tough tasks done by crew members involved in this weekend’s races.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Before the drivers start their engines, hundreds of IndyCar crew members are fast at work with the Grand Prix of Arlington ready to debut this weekend.
“This one seems like it’s gonna be fun,” said Kyle Tetlow, a truck driver for Andretti Global.
The setup process begins long before cars touch the track.
At the beginning of the week, teams load up the gear and cars into transporters before hitting the road to that week’s destinate.
For Tetlow and Andretti, it was a 14-hour drive to Arlington, Tex.
“Unload the trailers, set the tent up,” he said. “That’s our garage area for the weekend. This is going to be our home base.”
On this day, Tetlow helped guide the No. 27 car driven by Kyle Kirkwood down a lift gate and into the team’s paddock space.
The IndyCars remain on tow tires during transport — specialized tires designed for loading and unloading — with the racing tires only installed once the car reaches the circuit.
Mike Russell, an Andretti pit crew member who handles refueling duties for Will Power’s No. 26 car, said preparation continues as soon as the trucks arrive.
“From the mechanics working on the car, from us getting all the pit equipment to the track, doing the tent — there’s a lot of pre-work that goes into this before we race,” Russell said.
While the drivers receive most of the glitz and glamor, trips to victory lane are not possible without the dozens of crew members working tirelessly behind the scenes.