In all forms of motor sports the drivers are always the most recognizable names. Arguably they should be since it is they who literally risk their lives to hopefully land themselves and their team sponsors in the winners circle. However, any driver worth his, or her, salt will always give all the credit to the crew who give them a car worthy of winning.

In professional racing like Formula One a crew member can make upwards of 6 figures for their job - a crew chief seven figures. In NASCAR and NHRA "big show" crew people also make good money - big money in many cases. But in most forms of motorsports, including nostalgia drag racing, the crews do it for a good meal and a hotel room - once in a while... they do it because they love what they are doing.

Unlike most "non-professional" racing teams, High Speed Motorsports is incorporated with the key team members as stock holders. An incentive - perhaps. But if they plan to retire on their stock holdings - keep your day job. Like so many others they do what they do because it's a passion that has been in their blood for a very long time - in some cases from birth. It is said that nitro drag racing is an addiction with no cure. Most will not deny that.

With these thoughts in mind, here are some candid pit shots of the HSMS team taken though out the CHRR weekend. Their names are not household words - Dale Singh, Amelia Singh, Tom Shelar, Walt Stevens, Troy Green, Brett Johansen, Todd Shappie, Sean Bellemeur, Rick Shelar, Bert Toulette, Pete Palumbo and Arlene Eliason.

These are individuals who have regular jobs and in a couple of cases are retired after many years of public service. The principles of HSMS all own and or operate their own businesses. They do this in part to be able to escape from the stress of business life a few times a year to go Top Fuel drag racing... a very expensive side line. If you can't understand this concept - then there is no reason to ask.

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Tom Shelar was the envy of at least half the pits when he showed up in his absolutely bitchin' 2008 Dodge Challenger. Yea, its a hemi.

As is the custom with the tightly knit HSMS team, there was a pep talk prior to the first round of eliminations. This ritual is just a part of why this group works as one and gets the job done no matter what the task.

On Saturday the team played host to their most valued sponsor - Kent Ross who is President of SilverThin Precision Bearings and Tina Aitken, who is the Director of Operations for Mechatronics and SilverThin Bearings. Ross was so impressed with what he saw that he would be issuing bonus checks to the crew members in the name of Mechatronics and SilverThin Bearings. The sport needs more supporters as enthusiastic and Kent Ross. Visit the 2008 SilverThin Open House at your leisure.