Following a nearly 20-year career as a tire carrier in NASCAR’s top series, James Houk became Kaulig Racing’s first in-house pit crew coach in 2022. As the pit crew coach, Houk plays a vital role in keeping Kaulig Racing’s pit crews operating at peak performance both on and off the track. Houk attends practice every day, ensuring each athlete has the tools they need to perform at the highest level for the race team. Some of Houk’s most memorable wins in his career include the 2023 Bank of America ROVAL 400 (his first NASCAR Cup Series win as a pit crew coach), the Brickyard 400 with Ryan Newman, and the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship with Sheldon Creed.
Front Changer: Ben Weber
Hometown:
Hanston, Kansas
Years in NASCAR:
Eight years
Notable Wins:
2022 NASCAR Truck Series Championship
2023 Daytona 500
Fun Fact:
I was adopted at birth.
Tire Carrier:
Drew Morgan
Hometown:
Covington, Kentucky
Years in NASCAR:
13 years
Former Athlete:
Running back at Morehead State University
Fun Fact:
I have never been to Disney World. I am a certified scuba diver.
Rear Changer:
Mike Valentino
Hometown:
Bellmore, New York
Years in NASCAR:
Two years
Former Athlete:
Division II football player at Seton Hill University
Fun Fact:
I am a solid bowler.
Fueler:
Kevin Horton
Hometown:
Huntersville, North Carolina
Years in NASCAR:
Two years
Former Athlete:
Football player at Hopewell High
Fun Fact:
I was a pit crew member 107th Indy 500.
Jackman:
Markus Pierce-Brewster
Hometown:
National City, California
Years in NASCAR:
Eight years
Notable Wins:
2021 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard with Kaulig Racing and AJ Allmendinger
Former Athlete:
Linebacker for the New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans
Linebacker at West Texas A&M University
Fun Fact:
I am Panamanian, I have a twin sister, I am the school record holder of the 400 meter dash at my high school.
“This weekend is a fun weekend. We have to race our way into the big show through the Open, but we’re ready. North Wilkesboro is one of the original, Field of Dreams type racetracks. It’s an old, old racetrack from back when racing really got started in the hills of North Carolina. My grandfather raced there, my dad raced there, and every time we go there, it’s kind of a throwback in time. It means a lot to all of us in North Carolina and that NASCAR brought it back and we still race there. It’s going to be a fun weekend and an opportunity to reset our momentum as a race team.”
– Ty Dillon on Racing at North Wilkesboro Speedway
Front Changer:
Austin Holland
Hometown:
Huntersville, North Carolina
Years in NASCAR:
Nine years
Notable Wins:
2023 Bank of America ROVAL 400 with Kaulig Racing and AJ Allmendinger
2021 Daytona 500
Fun Fact:
I am a Dad to the best daughter, Salem.
Tire Carrier:
Brendan Foley
Hometown:
Millersville, Maryland
Years in NASCAR:
Four years
Notable Wins:
Inaugural Chicago Cup Race
Fun Fact:
I am ambidextrous.
Rear Changer:
Jerick Newsome
Hometown:
Memphis, Tennesse
Years in NASCAR:
Seven years
Notable Wins:
COTA NASCAR Cup Series Win
Former Athlete:
Basketball player at Alcorn State
Fun Fact:
I have a detailing business.
Fueler:
Michael Duski
Hometown:
Granby, Connecticut
Years in NASCAR:
Three years
Notable Wins:
2023 Bank of America ROVAL 400 with Kaulig Racing and AJ Allmendinger
Fun Fact:
I live with my Grandma.
Jackman:
Marshall McFadden
Hometown:
Lamar, South Carolina
Years in NASCAR:
Eight years
Notable Wins:
2023 Bank of America ROVAL 400 with Kaulig Racing and AJ Allmendinger
2021 Daytona 500
Former Athlete:
Linebacker in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis (LA) Rams, Oakland (Las Vegas) Raiders
Linebacker at South Carolina State
Fun Fact:
I have been told I can carry a really good tune.
“The pit crew challenge is a fun way to show off all the hard work of our guys. I feel like they’ve been really strong this year so all around it’s an important day for them to show that. Hopefully I can go do my job to put the car in place so they can nail the pit stop. I’ve been so proud of them this year, just the effort and the pit stops that we’ve had, so hopefully we go have a good day there and show them off and get them a Pit Crew Challenge win.”
– AJ Allmendinger on the Pit Crew Challenge at North Wilkesboro Speedway
