Episode 39: Sam Mayer: You Don’t Have to Drive to Work in NASCAR

Guest: Sam Mayer Haas Factory Team, Car 41, O'Reilly Cup Series Want to work in NASCAR? Driving is only one way in. NASCAR driver Sam Mayer reveals how welding, fabrication, electrical skills, and cooling systems help race teams compete, and why the people behind the car deserve more attention. In this episode of Skilled Nation, Sam joins host Jimmy Rhoades to connect the excitement of professional racing with the skilled trades that make it possible. From precision welds to driver safety, every specialist has a role in getting the car to the starting line and keeping it competitive. Sam shares his journey from racing go-karts at four to winning in the NASCAR Truck Series at 17. He also recounts a brutal Nashville race when his cooling suit failed, explains the trust behind a 14-second pit stop, and discusses why careers building and maintaining race cars offer opportunities beyond the driver’s seat. In this conversation: • Welding and fabrication jobs in NASCAR • Electrical wiring, batteries, and race-car systems • Driver cooling, heat, and race performance • Crew chiefs, car chiefs, and pit crew teamwork • Women working on NASCAR teams • Transferring skilled trades experience into motorsports Whether you’re a NASCAR fan, a trades student, or exploring a different career direction, discover how hands-on skills can connect you to professional racing. Subscribe to Skilled Nation for more conversations about skilled trades, career opportunities, and the people who keep our world running. Sponsored by Tulsa Welding School. Skilled Nation: A Way of Life. A Badge of Honor. #NASCAR #SamMayer #SkilledTrades #SkilledNation #NASCARCareers #Welding #Fabrication #HVAC #MotorsportsCareers 00:00 The Skills Behind Every NASCAR Race Car 00:24 Meet NASCAR Driver Sam Mayer 01:27 Starting in Go-Karts at Four 02:23 A Racetrack in the Backyard 03:26 Winning in NASCAR at 17 05:05 Chasing a Championship Under Pressure 06:38 The Team Behind the Driver 09:24 Why Phoenix Is So Tough on Race Cars 11:03 Skilled Trades and Driver Safety 14:00 Why NASCAR Teams Need Skilled Welders 15:30 Cooling Systems Inside a Race Car 17:38 When Sam’s Cooling Suit Failed 19:34 Electrical Systems and Trusting the Experts 21:09 Crew Chiefs, Car Chiefs, and Teamwork 24:27 Women Working in NASCAR 25:48 Pit Stops: Precision, Speed, and Trust 27:50 How Skilled Trades Can Lead to NASCAR Careers 29:38 A Place for Your Skills in Racing