Unsung Heroes: Bob Curtis – Car Chief for Joey Saldana
Throughout the season we will provide Q&As with team members within the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series. This week we chose Bob Curtis, who is the car chief for Joey Saldana and Motter Motorsports.
Name: Bob Curtis
Hometown: Warrensburg, Mo.
Team: Motter Motorsports #71m
Title: Car Chief
Background: Bob started as a crew member with Brian Paulus and has also crewed for Daryn Pittman, Jason Sides, Jason Meyers, Shane Stewart, Fred Rahmer and Donny Schatz among others. He also spent some time involved in nonwing racing and one season in NASCAR.
So what exactly is your role?
“I’d be kinda the second guy in charge, kinda the car guy. I answer to the crew chief and any changes to the car, a lot of times I’m the one that does the changes and keeps the crew chief and driver where they can keep an eye on the race track.”
What is your best attribute as a crew member?
“I’m pretty thorough on just keeping things organized, always looking one step ahead trying to make sure everything is ready to go if there’s a red flag or if you have an issue on the race track. I feel like I’m pretty good at keeping things organized and thinking ahead, making sure we’ve got everything ready to go for emergency situations.”
Did you ever do any racing?
“I’ve done a lot of parking lot driving. I’ve started many of them in the parking lots, but never have driven competitively. Just pretty much work on the stuff.”
What is the most difficult aspect of being on the road?
“The normal grind up and down the road, everybody has to deal with it. It’s just a matter of how you deal with it and how you cope with it. The biggest thing is being able to just get along with your crew guys. That’d probably be my downfall. I’m kinda probably hard to get along with because I expect so much from everybody else working around me because I feel I kinda put the pressure on myself to do a good job, work hard and fast, and get everything done.”
What are your expectations for this new team?
“I definitely think we’ve put an Outlaws winning championship team together. Dan Motter and Ruth have given us everything that we need to go out and win an Outlaws title. I definitely think a top five is not out of the question and possibly a top three and even win the championship. We’ve got all the tools we need to win the championship.”
For more information about Bob and Joey Saldana, visit MotterMotorsports.com. For more on the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series, click WoOsprint.com.
If you have a question for a team member within the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series, e-mail Public Relations Coordinator Shawn Miller at [email protected] with the person’s name and a question or two. We will do our best to provide inside access from as many people as possible during the 2013 season.
