Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Hendrick Motorsports has been at the forefront of a movement to turn pit crews into units populated by former college athletes.

Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s pit crew includes three former Division I college football players.

Barry Chin/Globe Staff

For Hendrick Motorsports, knowledge of cars isn't as important as finding top athletes whom they can convert into car experts.

Barry Chin/Globe Staff

The crews spend countless hours training not just on the cars but also on their physical conditioning.

Barry Chin/Globe Staff

The goal is to have the crews ready for race day, when they have only seconds to execute tire changes and fuel fill-ups.

Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Pit crew members equate their jobs to an NFL special teams unit, where the spotlight is intense and the potential for errors high.

Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Crews spend much of the race waiting for the several pit stops a car will make during the course of the competition.

Barry Chin/Globe Staff

For Hendrick Motorsports, the goal is simple: find the six best athletes possible for their pit crews.