There are a few items from college business classes I remember, although I have friends who claim they can stuff into a thimble all that I learned.
Nevertheless, I still recall a few business theories. One is about generations operating a business. Theory has it that the first generation builds a successful business, and either the second or third generation will let it go to pot. This means that son or grandson does not have the know-how to do as well with the operation as the founder.
NASCAR is an exception to that rule. Bill France, the founder, put together and ran an organization others could only see in dreams. In succeeding his father, Bill France Jr. moved the organization to higher levels.
Some race teams, however, who began their operations under Big Bill's leadership, have not kept pace with time. New teams, with new ideas, have taken over leadership roles. These include teams owned by Rick Hendrick, Jack Roush, Richard Childress, Robert Yates, Joe Gibbs, Bill Davis, and Roger Penske. These people made it big on their own.
This brings to mind another business theory, one that claims the larger a successful business grows, the more attention paid to cost-cutting measures. That's where we are today in Winston Cup and Busch Series racing, although most team owners will not agree.
Ten years ago, for example, nearly every team had its own engine shop, and that includes Cup teams, Busch teams and some Truck Series teams. Now there are about 16 teams building engines for Cup, Busch and most of the truck teams.
With big-buck sponsors and record purses, there is more money coming into racing than ever before. Yet, some veteran crewmembers contend that most team owners are trying to drive salaries down and get along with fewer people in their shops.
"There is more money than ever in racing, and owners are wanting to keep most of it," one veteran crewman, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
The colleges and universities with classes in how to build and work on race cars are under fire from some crewmembers. "My boss brings in some of these students who work free as part of their intern program. If there is one student who is really sharp, and the boss really likes him, then he may hire this person at close to minimum wage. Sometime later he may let a person who is making a big salary go. I've seen it happen."
An engine builder with 14 years of experience in two motor shops said the average pay for a motor man is around $65,000 annually. "I'm saying salaries range from $40,000 to $135,000, with the average about $65,000," he said."Some shops pay their one or two top motor men more than $135,000. These people are considered management."
A crewmember with 11 years of experience on one team said that mechanics who work on race cars average $1,000 a week, around $52,000 annually. "There are some crew chiefs making $200,000 to $300,000 annually, but their performances better be good."