When Evan Kureczka entered UNC Charlotte, NASCAR wasn't part of his career plan. Neither, initially, was athletic training.
An ankle injury while playing pickup basketball changed that. Kureczka discovered athletic training offered a way to combine healthcare with his lifelong interest in sports.
"This injury helped me realize I could combine my lifelong love for sports with a desire to work in healthcare," Kureczka said.
After graduating in 2009, he worked with Charlotte Baseball and later OrthoCarolina, eventually becoming Head Athletic Trainer for its motorsports division. There, he discovered just how athletic NASCAR pit crews really are.
"The first time I saw a pit stop in person, I realized how athletic these people are," he said.
That realization ultimately led Kureczka to Hendrick Motorsports in 2017 as an Athletic Trainer and strength and conditioning coach. He was promoted to athletic director in 2020.
Today, his job includes helping pit crew athletes handle physical demands unlike those in most traditional sports. Fuelers maneuver roughly 100-pound cans, tire carriers sprint with 55-pound tires, and jackmen manually lift both sides of the car—all while crews aim to complete a pit stop in under nine seconds.
The long NASCAR season also means Athletic Trainers frequently manage chronic overuse injuries, particularly involving the back and forearms.
"Being able to train smart and recover properly are imperative," Kureczka said.
Looking back, Kureczka credits networking and a willingness to pursue unexpected opportunities for taking him from collegiate athletics to NASCAR.
"I don't think I would have believed you if you told younger me that I was working in NASCAR with top-tier athletes and the best guys in the business," he said. "But I'm thankful each day."
His advice to young professionals is fitting for both racing and life: "Don't be afraid to make the right turn." Read the full story here!