Name: Mike Bumgarner
Position On Team: Crew Chief
Hometown: Huntersville
What does a Crew Chief do?
“Pretty much everything. I kind of cover all the bases, plus I do a little bit more outside of crew chief things. I handle a lot of the parts between us and Hendrick Motorsports, because we use a Hendrick chassis and Hendrick motor. I’ve been doing that for about nine years since I’ve been here.”
If you had your choice of any track, oval or road course, asphalt or dirt, what would it be?
“I know people will think this is crazy, but I want a speedway. I’m a Daytona guy. There’s just something about Daytona when you walk into the place. I’ve been fortunate enough to sit on poles there, win races there, and it just nothing like any other.”
Is there a track you’d like to get a win at more than any other?
“It would be Daytona, right out of the gate. Since I’ve been here, we’ve been fortunate enough to win multiple season-opening races. That just kick-starts your year.”
Who plays the music in the garage, and why is it not Kevin?
“I’ll let Richie handle that. He’s the senior in the group, he gets to handle the kids.”
Hobbies?
“I have my granddad’s old ’88 Bronco II, and an old F-100, and I’ve been slowly rebuilding both of them. The Bronco II is really, really close. Just working on cars and trucks at home.
Favorite movie?
“I’m kind of anything with Denzel Washington. Anything that he’s ever made, I’m a fan of.”