A NASCAR team needs a great driver for sure. But behind the scenes is a crew of top racing engineers and mechanics who make the car the best it can be before the driver gets behind the wheel.

One of those is Race Engineer Steve Hoegler of the No. 18 Interstate Batteries®/M&M’s® Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing.Watch our interview below:

The Racing Engineer’s Role

As a NASCAR racing engineer, Steve’s job is to work alongside Crew Chief Dave Rogers, Car Chief Jerry Cook and the rest of the 18 team to make the car as fast as possible while making the car handle to driver Kyle Busch’s liking.

NASCAR’s Gen 6 Car

Want to learn more about NASCAR's 2013 car? Check out this great infographic from Joe Gibbs Racing.

But they can’t rely too much on notes from the last few seasons. NASCAR has unveiled a new car for the 2013 season.

The Gen 6 car is designed to give each manufacturer a distinctive look while keeping competition even.  Steve says the 18 team is up to the challenge.

“I think the new body style is great because it’s starting to look more like a stock car. It should add a little excitement to the sport. Handling is actually becoming an issue again, which makes [superspeedway tracks like] Daytona fun for all the crew guys,” he said.

Learn more about the new car here. (Courtesy of Joe Gibbs Racing)

What is your opinion of the 2013 car? Tell us in the comments.

By James Pecht (86 Posts)

James Pecht writes about franchising, battery technology, tips, racing and company culture for Interstate Batteries.