“Neon Deion” Sanders hit a home run and scored a touchdown the same week while Bo Jackson managed to snag invites to both the NFL Pro Bowl and the MLB All-Star Game. You may even be aware that Tom Brady was drafted into the MLB long before he signed with the New England Patriots. But did you know that multiple sport athletes can be found in the NASCAR garage as well? Drivers, owners, crew members and even commentators have made a name for themselves in other sports.
Drivers
Jimmie Johnson, respected by his peers as one of the most athletic and fit drivers in the Sprint Cup series, is now known as a 6-time series champ. In college, though, he was known more for his prowess in the water. He played water polo and participated in both swimming and diving competitions.
Sprint Cup regular Austin Dillon’s first love was baseball, and he even played in the 2002 Little League World Series. But perhaps the most talked about two-sport athlete in NASCAR actually excelled in three sports: racing, basketball and football. Brendan Gaughan currently drives the No. 62 in the Xfinity Series fielded by Richard Childress Racing. In college, he played in 25 basketball games for the Georgetown University Hoyas. He also served as the placekicker for Georgetown’s Division I-AA football team, earning All-Conference honors and setting a record for the highest extra point percentage in team history.
Owners
Joe Gibbs is best known as a former NFL head coach and three time Super Bowl champion. Before his legendary years with the Washington Redskins, he played quarterback for San Diego State University under coach Don Coryell. As the owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, he fields cars for Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth and David Ragan.
His son, J.D. Gibbs, played defensive back and quarterback at William & Mary, in addition to regularly snowboarding and other outdoor adventure sports. When it was announced last week that he would be seeking treatment for a health issue similar to concussion syndrome, his father made the point that J.D. has always lived an active and athletic lifestyle so it was difficult to track where his symptoms may have originated. J.D. Gibbs currently serves as the President of Joe Gibbs Racing. Gibbs’ other son Coy is a former NASCAR driver and a former assistant coach with the Washington Redskins.
Crew Members
In the past, the over the wall guys were just mechanics during the week who hopped into pit crew action on the weekends. With the major teams today, though, training has become a full time job. There are state-of-the-art training facilities at many race shops, including full gyms. Penske Racing has Shawn Powell on their side, as the head strength training coach for the crew. Before working at Penske, Powell was training the Carolina Panthers.
Perhaps more than anywhere else in racing, athletics are appreciated in the over the wall crews. It’s not unusual for team recruiters to visit colleges to meet athletes who have the physical agility, strength and mental focus to get the job done but who most likely won’t be drafted into the NFL, MLB or NBA. Today, the majority of guys who go over the wall on Sunday have a background in college or professional sports. While there are a few guys who also turn wrenches, they are now working alongside former NFL starters, hockey players, NCAA Division I football players and collegiate baseball stars.
Commentators
Brad Daugherty may be known to NASCAR fans as an ESPN analyst, but most of the world knows him for this talent on the basketball court. He played college ball at the University of North Carolina, earning All-American status in 1986. That same year, he was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the first overall draft pick. He played for eight seasons, and retired holding records as the team’s leading rebounder and scorer. His rebounder record still stands at 5,227, although LeBron James broke his points record in 2008.
Another name that is familiar to NASCAR fans because of his television commentary was also a well-known athlete in another sport. Dr. Jerry Punch was a quarterback at North Carolina State before continuing on to medical school. His coach was Lou Holtz.
All three of NASCAR’s major series take a break for Easter this weekend, but the Sprint Cup and Xfinity series will take on Texas April 9-11.