Pit coach Greg Morin stepping down at HMS

Last Updated on August 29, 2023 by Pittalks

January 25, 2015

The HMS athletic department has gone through some turnover in the past few months and now they have another obstacle to get through. Coach Greg Morin, coach of the 48/88, has decided to pursue other interests outside of racing and will be leaving the team at the end of January. Early in the year, pit coach Lance Munksgard also left HMS to pursue a career outside of racing. Along with both coaches being gone, HMS lost 4 different crew members to JGR at the end of the 14′ season. HMS will have their hands full to say the least.

Enough about that, its time to take a look back at Coach Morin’s career on pit road and the legacy he will leave behind. Greg is leaving the sport as one of the most accomplished pit coaches around. His stats are incredible and his dedication to his players was unmatched. We caught up with Coach to see what he had to say about his career. Take a look.

How long have you been a coach on pit road and how did your career start?

I’ve been a pit crew coach for 10 years. First three years as Head Coach and Director of Motorsports at Performance Instruction & Training (PIT). I started at the PIT school and after performing each position over the wall, entered coaching. I spent three years coaching and directing the pit crew athletes at the school and at the end of my 3rd year Chad Knaus called and offered me a job with the 24/48 shop (now 48/88 shop) as their head pit crew coach.

What was it like when you got the call to come work at HMS and were your nervous?

It was very unexpected when I received the call from CK. I truly enjoyed my job at PIT but had also had the conversation in my head that if Hendrick Motorsports or Joe Gibbs Racing ever called I’d have to think about working at the next level. When CK called in November of 2007 I decided to take the step to the next level. I was more excited than nervous about the opportunity. I always have enjoyed a challenge and this was the biggest challenge of my career at that point.

You’re an accomplished pit coach with multiple wins and championships, what are some of your best memories from pit road?

Obviously the my first championship stands out at one of the greatest moments of my career. The 2008 season was a great one. We one several races including taking the lead for the win at Indy by going 3rd to 1st on the last pit stop with the #48 team. Being a part of two Mechanix Wear MVP Pit Crew of the Year teams and one Pit Crew Challenge Championship also stand out in my mind as those are great displays of wins based on excellent execution of the fundamentals. Efficient, mistake free performances leading to wins and championships.

Is there one pit stop that stands out as the best stop you’ve been a part of?

As I mentioned before, the final pit stop of the 2008 Brickyard 400 when the #48 crew beat the #99 crew off pit road, going 3rd to 1st and ultimately the win, is one of the greatest pit stop moments of my career. Another is during the fall race in Texas in 2014 where the #48 crew knocked out four 10.8 second pit stops in a row, one of which took them from 4th to 1st in route to a win for the #48 team.

What will you miss most?

I will miss the competition and the brotherhood that we have here at Hendrick Motorsports tremendously. But I will miss coaching my guys, individually and as a unit. Watching them learn the sport, compete, win and grow as men. These guys are my extended family and I will miss them.

Why are you leaving and what are your plans for the future?

After 10 years of racing and traveling the grueling schedule that is our season, it is time for me to invest that time in my kids. I’m getting out of the sport and going into motivational speaking and team building on my own. There are so many parallels that can be drawn from racing to life, racing to business. I want to take my experience over the last 10 years and prior to help motivate people to see and achieve the best in themselves, both personally and professionally.

Do you ever see a return to pit road?

At this point I do not see a return to pit road in my future. However I’m not one to close doors completely.

Anything else you want to add please feel free to do so.

I’ve been very fortunate over the last 10 years to have been a part of many great moments personally and professionally. I’ve been a part of 4 championships, 4 Indianapolis Brickyard 400 wins, 2 Daytona 500 wins, 2 Mechanix Wear MVP awards, 1 Pit Crew Championship and many wins including the 200th win (#48 team at Darlington) for Hendrick Motorsports. None of it would be possible without the teammates I’ve had at HMS and in racing over the last 10 years. I’ve had many highs and many lows but I wouldn’t trade any of them for anything. This sport and the people in it have taught me a tremendous amount about myself and what kind of coach/leader I want to be. It’s because of racing, PIT and Hendrick Motorsports that I’ve been able to achieve all the goals I set out to achieve in this sport. I can’t thank my guys, teammates, coaches and racing family for what this sport have provided me over the last 10 years.

Thanks for taking the time to talk with us and we wish you the best of luck in the future.

Related article: How long is a NASCAR race?

Related articles