They say racing is a young man's sport. True, if you happen to be a driver.
However, there are a sufficient number of aged veterans still getting the job done in the garage. Case in point is Buddy Parrott, one of the greatest crew chiefs to ever wield a wrench inside a NASCAR garage, despite having never won a championship in that capacity.
On this particular day, Parrott was standing on the 7th floor of the suite tower at Daytona Int'l Speedway waiting patiently for the elevator to take him downstairs to his favorite piece of transportation - his motorcycle. The previous three hours were spent on the roof of the suites spotting for Nationwide Series Rookie Bryan Clauson. Clauson drove the No. 41 Texaco/Havoline Dodge to a sixth place finish, the best of the three rookies in the Camping World 300.
"Keep an eye on Clauson," Parrott said with a wink and a smile as he responded to a greeting.
"Got talent?"
"He's going places," Parrott added.
"Been having fun?"
"Wouldn't be here if I wasn't," he stated.
There was a time when Parrott wasn't having any fun in NASCAR; so he walked away. For five years Parrott watched from a distance. Then the phone rang. Robert Yates needed help. He needed a set of eyes he could trust. Parrott responded and has been back ever since.
This year, Parrott at the request of his youngest, Brad, is working with Clauson at Chip Ganassi Racing. And, he's having a heck of a time. Not a bad retirement for one of the greatest set of hands to turn a wrench.
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