Nascar driver, crew chief take to the air

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Robert Zoellner
  • 56th Fighter Squadron Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Driver Clint Bowyer, a 2006 rookie driver in the Nextel Cup racing series, and his crew chief, Gil Martin, took time out from their busy racing schedule Nov. 8 to visit Luke and experience speed the real way - in the seat of an F-16.

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing was in town for a weekend race at the Phoenix International Raceway and Luke invited Mr. Bowyer, the driver of the No. 07 Jack Daniels car and his crew chief to the flightline to introduce them to the Air Force and give them a behind-the-scenes view of how things work on an F-16 base.

"To be able to see how everything works and what these pilots go through every day in their training was unbelievable," Mr. Bowyer said.

Although Mr. Bowyer or his crew chief didn't get to take control of the jets they flew in, the overall thrill of the flight wasmore than what they had expected.

"Being a NASCAR driver, you feel like you'd be able to withstand some of this stuff," Mr. Bowyer said. "I was by no means prepared for that, it was an eye opener and a shock."


The same sentiments were felt by Mr. Bowyer's crew chief, Mr. Martin, who normally watches Mr. Bowyer from atop his crew box in the pits. This time he was launching in an aircraft right next to Mr. Bowyer and was his wingman for parts of the flight.

"That was one of the most incredible experiences of my life," Mr. Martin said. "I am at a loss for words right now. It looked like we were sitting still although we were going I don't know how fast. It was a great feeling."W

While performing maintenance on a NASCAR race car and an F-16 are different, Mr. Martin saw similarities between the two.

"Everyone worked together as a team just like we do on the car," Mr. Martin said. "It's not nearly as involved as what you guys are doing here, but I think the teamwork atmosphere and the pride that everybody has in the final accomplishment of what you've built or what you're maintaining is along the same lines."

Lieutenant Col. Gerald Lanagan, 62nd Fighter Squadron commander, and Mr. Bowyer's pilot, said they gave the F-16 a good workout during the flight and had a good sightseeing tour. He also said Mr. Bowyer was an awesome co-pilot.

"He was fantastic," Colonel Lanagan said. "He is an adrenalin junkie and a thrill seeker and he couldn't get enough of it."

The No. 07 team finished the weekend's race in 33rd position due to losing an engine to an oil pump failure on lap 306 of the 312 lap race. But that didn't dampen Mr. Bowyer's spirits about the visit to Luke.

"We wanted to be able to get a feel of what they (pilots) go through," he said. "I think that's definitely what we did."