Pit Lane Team - Always Seen, Rarely Heard!

It’s race week, and the paddock is alive. Lurking behind the mysterious smoked glass windows of team transporters, you’ll find the strategy room. During race weekend, it’s a hive of activity - drivers, team managers, and engineers huddle around the big screen to review practice data, discuss options, and ultimately make race day decisions. They have many factors to consider, some under their direct control – which tires, how much fuel, driver order - and many others that are not – weather forecast, track conditions, and their competitors.

These decisions lead to arguably the most crucial component of any race – the pit stop! When fractions of seconds matter, executing precise pit stops for fueling, tires, and driver changes can make all the difference in placing on top at the race finish.

Consequently, during the race, the pit lane is a frantic environment with adrenaline pumping and tensions running high. To maintain order and safety, the competition team here at IMSA sets the safety regulations and procedures for how pit crews, drivers, marshals, and officials conduct themselves during these crucial moments.

This is where Johnny Knotts , IMSA - International Motor Sports Association ’s Head Pit Lane Official and Logistics, and his well-drilled team of ten pit lane officials come in. Earlier this weekend, as teams prepare for the MOTUL Prix Course de Monterey Powered by Hyundai N, Johnny and I spent a few moments together as we always do pre-race. During our chat, Johnny, referring to his high school football days, fascinated me with his stated philosophy on his team's purpose: to “coach during practice & qualifying, and to officiate during the race.”

Essentially, the goal is to keep everyone safe, cars racing, and fans cheering their favorite drivers. He is the liaison between his team and race control, reporting any infractions – pit lane speed, exceeding permitting crew over the wall, exceeding pit box, and numerous other rules.

Knowing the rules and how and when to apply them appropriately are the principles that all existing and new team members live by. Johnny ensures all recruits are well prepared with twice weekly one-on-one calls during the off-season, where he visualizes every scenario. As Johnny says ‘”’ I like to paint a picture.” This attention to detail off-track when tenths matter on track is the only way to ensure fair racing for all.

If you can observe Johnny at work, you’ll notice he commands the pit lane with a steely presence, tough but fair, and always with a smile. He’s a servant leader, and his team models his style – consistent in application, safety-first decision-making, with their eyes and ears always wide open. He’s in the thick of the action and must gather facts quickly and apply common sense. Johnny takes great pride that despite the trials and tribulations of Pit Lane, the racing community is like a family.

Here’s to a great weekend and little to no reason for the pit lane crew comprising Blair Alexander, Richard Meldnar, Bert Howerton, Hanna Kabat, Alexis Julian, Jennifer Gray, Brandi Martinez, Tommy McNamara, Rachel Ayres, and Jim Rogers to key up their microphones; seen but rarely heard - that’s the ideal race.

-John