I, the legendary geeRail (which is said “G Rail” and short for school nickname Guard Rail) was born in September 1975 in Morganton, North Carolina. I played basketball and baseball thru school, and my senior year was somehow able to make all conference as a basketball player. My first serious car was my Dad’s worn out 1984 Nissan 300ZX, the car that taught me how to drive a stick as well as the one where I learned every bolt of an engine, the hard way. I am an only child, both my parents are educators.
I went to NC State University in Raleigh to begin studying computer science in the fall of 1993. After my freshman year, I switched majors at their College of Engineering, to mechanical engineering. I was interested in both cars and computers, and the courses on the mechinical end seemed more exciting. Initally I wanted to go into car design. I really didn’t get the itch to join a NASCAR team till the end of my junior year, once I really got involved in some activities. Living in North Carolina, you are exposed to NASCAR alot. My dad took me to the fall race every year in Charlotte and we watched it alot on TV.
I graduated with a degree in Mechincal Engineering in May of 1998 and with a minor in computer science from State. For three summers while in school I came home and worked with some buddies on their late model team at nearby Hickory. I drove about 6 or 8 races in a Limited Sportsman car one year, but most of the time helped wrench for another team. The first two years, the car was driven by Andy Houston, who is the driver I probably know best. Those two years got me interested in this. I applied to 4 or 5 teams in the Mooresville area, and decided in August of that year to join Roush Racing as a member of their Research and Development team. The first year or so, I worked mainly on engine development, typical 9-5 job. I was asked to join the 60 team with Martin driving in March of 2000 and have stayed ever since. In July of that year, I was asked to help the 17 team occassionaly on doubleheader weekends. While I still do engine stuff during the week, my main role on race weekends is tires, shocks, and springs. I’ve counted I’ll be working about 50 races this year.
I live in Mooresville, NC, a town about 30 minutes north of Charlotte, within view of Lake Norman and 10 minutes from Roush’s Busch shop. I have a girlfriend, Myra, and a Pug named Balljoint. I drive a 2000 Roush Stage 1 mustang (got it at beginning of this year…couldn’t find a picture, sorry) and enjoy cooking, camping and video games while away from the track.
