NASCAR veteran pit crew member dies at 35

Terrible news, as it has been confirmed that Zachary Yager, a veteran NASCAR pit crew member, has died at 35 years old. Yager was a member of the No. 39 Xfinity Series team of Ryan Sieg and RSS Racing. He was also a member of the No. 88 Truck Series team of Matt Crafton.

The longtime NASCAR pit crew member had worked in the industry since 2014. He spent his time in various pit crew roles from jackman to tire carrier and more. Yager, from upstate New York originally, had spent more than a decade in North Carolina as part of the sport.

Elite Race Services, the pit crew recruitment and management group Yager was a member of, released a statement on his passing. It is a shock to his family and friends.

“Obviously, nobody saw this coming and we’re in total disbelief,” ERS owner Corey DeMarco said, via TobyChristie.com. “All of the guys send our thoughts and prayers out to his dad and family, right now.”

ThorSport Racing, Yager’s Truck Series organization, also commented on the unfortunate news. It is sending shockwaves throughout the sport.

“We are deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of our friend and teammate, Zachary Yager,” ThorSport said in a statement. “He was an important part of our family and our hearts are with his loved ones and community as we grieve this loss together.”

Zachary Yager was more than a NASCAR pit crew member. He was one of the many people that make the sport work and keeps it going week to week. During the 2023 season, Yager was on the Daytona 500-winning pit crew of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. at JTG Daugherty Racing. It was the biggest win Yager was a part of during his career on pit road.

NASCAR pit crew member made it to height of sport

For drivers and pit crew members alike, the big wins mean more. For Zachary Yager, that Daytona 500 stands out on his resume. However, that season was full of surprises for Yager and the pit crew he was part of at JTG Daugherty.

At the time, JTG was leasing pit crew members from RFK Racing. The crew that Yager was part of did so well that RFK took them back and put them on the 17 car of Chris Buescher. Later that season, Buescher would go on to win three races in five weeks: Michigan, Richmond, and Daytona.

Like many unseen members of the sport, Yager wasn’t the focal point on race days. But he was one of hundreds of people who make the sport go round and keep fans entertained for 38 weeks out of the year. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during his difficult time.