Dale Coyne Racing: Damon Sturrock, Crew Chief, #19

Name: Damon Sturrock

Team: Dale Coyne Racing

Position: Crew Chief, #19 Boy Scouts of America car driven by Alex Lloyd

Weekday duties: Manage the day-to-day duties of the mechanics and overall quality assurance to prepare the car for race weekends. I also oversee and implement new engineering projects ensuring correct installation and operation.

Race weekend duties: Oversee initial vehicle setup and changes made over the weekend in preparation for the race and direct team in following proper race-weekend schedule.

Total years in racing: 10

Years with current team: I was with DCR in 2007 and am again in 2010.

Previous teams you’ve worked with: 2001-2002: Mo Nunn Racing (Alex Zanardi and Tony Kanaan); 2003: Patrick Racing (Oriol Servia); 2004: RocketSports (Alex Tagliani); 2005-2006: PKV Racing (Jimmy Vasser and Katherine Legge); 2007: Dale Coyne Racing (Katherine Legge); 2008: HVM Racing (E.J. Viso); 2009: Vision Racing (Ryan Hunter-Reay and Tomas Scheckter via Dreyer & Reinbold Racing).

How you got started in racing: I was born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Prior to racing, I worked in a car dealership. I always had a passion for IndyCar and knew it’s what I wanted to do. I went to a (former) racing school in Indianapolis where I learned how to build IndyCars. From there, I was hired to oversee and maintain the cars for the movie Driven. Parts of the movie were shot on location at the racetrack, so I made contacts that would later lead to my first job at Mo Nunn Racing.

Favorite part of job: Race day! It’s what makes the hard work pay off. And every week, you’re working toward a new opportunity to prove what you can do. It’s an instant gratification thing.

Most difficult part of job: The long hours. Sometimes you feel like you miss out on things/events because of the hectic schedule.

Career highlight in racing: My one and only race win in 2004 with Alex Tagliani at Road America (the greatest road course in the U.S.)!

Favorite way to spend an off-weekend: Catching up with friends, playing golf, and laying by the pool.