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When you work in racing, you end up getting a lot of clothing.  I even wrote a post about it a few years ago (see it here).  We get shirts, hats, hoodies, coats, pants, shoes, firesuits, you name it.  As part of the sponsorship deals the teams have, they make sure that we are branded from head to toe.  We wear a uniforms just like a million other professions do.  But sometimes, when you get your “swag” to start the season, all you are thinking is “wow, I have to wear this?”

The problem here, isn’t that we have to wear branded stuff.  I have absolutely no problem being a walking billboard.  What sucks is when we have to wear really, really hideous swag.  And it all starts with the sponsor.  Who really wants to wear stuff that reps things like male enhancement pills and feminine hygiene products?  Or what about cat litter?  I mean, much love for sponsoring my team and helping me make a living and all, but geez, help me out here.

Sometimes though you can have a good sponsor, but for whatever reason, you still end up wearing ugly gear.  I’ll even give you an example.  No disrespect towards Roush Fenway, David Ragan, or UPS, but those yellow shirts and firesuits this year are terrible.  I get that you love logistics, but couldn’t logistics be a different, cooler color besides that putrid yellow?  If I was one of those guys, I’d certainly love repping logistics a lot more if the uni’s were badass looking.

There are definitely plenty of teams and sponsors that do it right though.  You usually can’t go wrong with beer or liquor deals, and those Bass Pro Shops uniforms with the camo are sweet.  I also like RCR’s CAT gear, and the Penske Pennzoil stuff uses a yellow that doesn’t suck.

At the end of the day, you certainly can’t be mad at a company that hands over millions in a suitcase so that we can go play on the weekends.  There are certainly worse gigs.  But I just wish we could have fun, and look good too.

What paint schemes and gear do you like and loathe?  Is there a current or past NASCAR sponsor you’d hate to be seen in public repping?

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A Monday race means it’s a short week!  Only a few more days before the weekend is here.  The Cup Series gets another off weekend, while the Nationwide and Truck Series head to the Music City.  If you don’t know what this post is, we answer any and all reader questions every Wednesday, right here.  So if you’ve got one, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send one to us.  On to the questions…

1. From Eddie:

With the wing being replaced by the spoiler starting at Martinsville, what will NASCAR do with the now useless wings?

Throw them in the trash? I honestly don’t know. What do you do with a bunch of useless pieces of carbon fiber? I haven’t heard any specific plans to do anything with them. Sorry I can’t be of more help. – Journo

2. From Cat:

Living in North Carolina, I see a lot of advertisements for NTI of UTI, based out of Mooresville. I also know there is a similar school in Texas, but I can’t recall it’s name. What are you guys’ opinions of these types of schools? Are they the best or only way into working on racing teams? Thank you very much for your time!

The NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville is basically just a renamed Universal Technical Institute.  These schools are meant to train students to be auto mechanics.  NTI in Mooresville does offer some “racing” specific courses, but the majority of the curriculum is centered around working at a dealership or repair shop.  They give students a solid foundation, and are good at teaching the basics.  But in terms of getting into racing, we’ve heard the hire rate for students right out of the school is in the low single digits.  There are definitely NTI graduates working in the sport, but they aren’t overly common.  Once they graduate, students must do like everyone else and network like crazy.  Opportunities with teams in lower series are probably their best bet early on.  It’s definitely not the only way to get hired, and it isn’t necessarily the best either. – T.C.

3. From Christopher:

When I see a list of drivers- like on nascar.com’s race lineup page, some drivers have three-digit numbers. 135 (Johnny Sauter), and 190 (Casey Mears) are examples. I’ve heard this has something to do with there being two 35’s and 90’s (in my example). However, from what I can tell, there is no 35 or 90 in NASCAR right now? What’s the deal with this?

In their records for owners, somebody is already attached to those two numbers.  I couldn’t tell you who though.  For points and payouts, NASCAR must assign unique numbers to all the teams, so that’s why you see those listed as three digit numbers.  Those teams are allowed to use the numbers, but if the owner who actually has the #90 or #35 shows up, those two cars must use another number. – T.C.

4. From Ric:

I have heard there is a pedestrian tunnel under the track at Bristol, but I have never seen it.  Where are the two ends located?

There is definitely a pedestrian tunnel at Bristol.  It is located at the end of the backstretch, heading into turn three.  It is just below the gate where the haulers enter and leave the track.  If you’ve ever seen the ramp that leads up to victory lane, the tunnel is right below it. – T.C.

5. From Loren:

I don’t see ‘championship’ patches on NW or Truck drivers’ firesuits. Why not? I think they should.

There is nothing stopping them from doing it (at least that I’m aware of). I just think it’s a design preference. Some teams and drivers do it, others don’t. – Journo

And that brings yet another “Ask The Insiders Wednesday” to a close.  Thanks to everyone who sent in questions.  And remember, if you’d like to be a part of next week, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send your question in!