By fusing technology and racing, Shanna Rinaldo has established a distinctive niche for herself. As RFK Racing’s Trackside Network Engineer, Rinaldo is in charge of making sure the group’s communication systems function properly on race day. Her adaptability and love for the sport are demonstrated by the fact that she also catches tires for the pit crew. With a passion for racing and an IT background, Rinaldo’s career path defies convention, demonstrating that success may arise from unlikely places. In an interview with Brandon Smith, Fastenal’s lean supply chain consultant, she discusses her multiple responsibilities and the difficulties she encounters in this exciting setting.
The beginning of Shanna Rinaldo’s NASCAR career was in a classroom. Her family placed a high importance on education, so she decided to get a degree in information technology since she thought it would give her a secure job. But below it all was a simmering passion for racing. Her passion in the sport was sparked by her childhood race attendance, and she hoped to participate in it someday. Rinaldo continued to be involved with the racing scene while working in a variety of IT areas after earning her degree. She gained additional knowledge about motorsports by interacting with teams and volunteering at nearby racetrack. She became aware of how her knowledge of IT could improve race operations during this period.
When Rinaldo started working as a Trackside Network Engineer at RFK Racing, it was her big break. She was able to combine her love of racing with her technical expertise in this capacity. She remembers, “Sitting at a desk Monday through Friday was never really my favorite.” “Therefore, I was seeking something new.” Rinaldo embraces the physicality of being a member of the pit crew by collecting tires during pit stops at RFK Racing, despite the rigorous nature of her technical work. Shanna described her approach to the IT side of things, saying, “I try to be proactive and double-check things.” “My life has always revolved around sports. The tire-catcher side, she continued, “is just kind of ingrained in me.”
Shanna Rinaldo feels great satisfaction in her dual work with NASCAR, especially given the sport’s competitive atmosphere. “I believe that the competitive aspect of things [is] the most fulfilling,” she says. One of the biggest motivators for her is seeing the observable outcomes of her work. She felt the excitement of watching Chris Buescher win three races in five weeks during her first year with RFK Racing. This accomplishment reaffirmed her enthusiasm for both IT and pit crew duties in addition to validating her efforts. Her participation in NASCAR is genuinely fulfilling because of the rush of race day and the knowledge that her efforts improve the team’s performance. The path taken by Shanna Rinaldo at RFK Racing shows that blending expertise and passion may result in rewarding professions, no matter how unconventional they may seem. Speaking of unconventional, the option tire situation is slowly ramming up, and one of RFK’s crew chiefs has been very vocal about it.
At Martinsville, Ryan Preece and company are eyeing the podium
For fans, Ryan Preece has been a short-track star. According to NASCAR Insights, he is now ranked 12th in terms of overall speed and performance this season. Because Preece placed in the top 10 for the first time last season following 11 runs at Martinsville, fans are rooting for him. He might be on the Paperclip for this season! In the end, experienced Derrick Finley, his crew chief, is rather pleased with the tire wear scenario and believes the team can benefit from it. Ryan Preece displayed superman antics as he flashed across the field against Phoenix.
Within the first 11 circuits, the #60 vehicle jumped from 33rd to 10th thanks to his softer, high-grip “option” Goodyear tires. Crazy, huh? Although it finally faded away, his personal best finish of 15th place with 34 laps led is noteworthy. “So a 15th, that wasn’t phenomenal, but definitely with the situation that was playing out with being off sequence, you know what, it’s been a real kick in the nuts after the past three weeks,” Preece said. And this explains why Finley is so pleased with the tire selections. “And if you look at it, the way this race played out, we used a set early,” Preece said, praising the way their tire plan worked out. Our lumps were being taken. Fortunately, had a caution.
We then utilized them out of order and wished the warning hadn’t been issued. After that, there were warnings for the final two or three runs, and you were left wondering, “When is that red going to give up?” And it gave up on some of them, to tell the truth. That was a lot of fun, and I commend Goodyear and everybody of NASCAR for taking a chance by doing this. Finley, who was more experienced, had a different rationale for liking those tires than Preece did. I appreciate that it [tires] mixes up,” he said to NASCAR.com. Every team has reached a stage where they all play their statistical game, have their races planned out, are generally boring and what it does do is it adds that sense of, ‘hey, there’s something new you can do. There’s something different you can try.’ So, from that aspect, I enjoy it.
In that sense, it reminds me more of the old school. Whatever it is, let’s see if RFK Racing can perform in Martinsville and withstand the pressure. Do you believe Brad Keselowski, the owner-driver, has a chance? Tell us in the comments section.
