[byoung2]

Obviously you don't have to be the best pit crew member, but you do have to know how every part of the car works to be an effective driver. Find me a successful NASCAR driver who didn't know his/her car inside out and I'll eat my words. The reason for this is that as you are starting out, you have to do your own mechanic work, because you won't have the budget to hire a crew. And drivers who know their cars drive better, and they can communicate better with the pit crew.