Motorsports
Chesapeake’s Bussel finds new life with NASCAR pit crew
Luke Bussel, a former Virginia Tech football player, transitions from tackling on the field to tire-carrying in the fast lane as Cup pit crew member. CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Luke Bussel’s football journey began in Chesapeake, Virginia, and took him to the storied fields of Virginia Tech. A standout at Greenbrier Christian Academy, Bussel lived and […]
Luke Bussel, a former Virginia Tech football player, transitions from tackling on the field to tire-carrying in the fast lane as Cup pit crew member.
CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Luke Bussel’s football journey began in Chesapeake, Virginia, and took him to the storied fields of Virginia Tech. A standout at Greenbrier Christian Academy, Bussel lived and breathed football — until the clock ran out on his collegiate career after the 2023 Military Bowl. For a while, it seemed like that was the end of the road.
“I had no clue what I was going to do,” said Bussel, reflecting on the final moments of his football life. “About a week before the game…I was like I’m done playing football.”
At a crossroads, Bussel was juggling married life, fatherhood, and the looming question of what came next. A potential shot at an NFL future faded as his drive to play started to dim. But life had another play dialed up — one far from the football field and deep in the world of motorsports.
Enter Hendrick Motorsports.
One of NASCAR’s most iconic teams, with 14 Cup Series championships under its belt, came calling. A recruiter had noticed Bussel’s athletic potential and invited him to participate in their combine — a tryout for pit crew hopefuls. The opportunity lit a new spark.
Bussel seized the moment, and soon, he and his family packed their bags for Charlotte, North Carolina. Now 25, Bussel works as a tire carrier for the No. 71 car of driver Michael McDowell. And just last week, he and his team raced their way to victory — winning the prestigious NASCAR Cup All-Star Pit Crew Challenge at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
The prize? A $100,000 team reward — and the glory of being the best in the pit.
“We were able to pull off the fastest time,” he said. “It was a fantastic experience.”
Adding another layer of Hokie pride to the story, Bussel celebrated the win alongside a familiar face: his former Virginia Tech teammate, linebacker Dax Hollifield, who now serves as a jackman for the same crew.
“We’re all really, really close,” he said. “We all love to chat about how the times of football, college and…it’s great.”
From football pads to pit stops, Luke Bussel’s journey proves that passion and perseverance can open doors in the most unexpected places — even on pit road.