Advertisement Third grader joins NASCAR pit crew for a day Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A third grade student in Virginia and aspiring racing pit crew member recently had the opportunity to live out that dream, thanks to one of his teachers. Josh Grandeo, 9, received a recruitment letter and a visit from representatives of Chip Ganassi Racing out of Charlotte, North Carolina. Josh's reading teacher, Kirsten Filiberto, told WSLS that she got the idea to set up the visit when her students dressed in her college graduation cap and gown and Josh held a sign that said, "future pit crew member." “I’ve never had a student say they wanted to be a pit crew member before,” Filiberto said. “Ganassi Racing went above and beyond. They could’ve just sent him a recruiting letter and Josh would have been just as excited."The Ganassi team not only showed up to Lynchburg with a racing car with Josh's name on it, but he also helped change the tires and sat in the driver’s seat.“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh,’" Josh said. “I was like, going crazy and stuff."Stephen Price is a rear tire changer with Ganassi and a Lynchburg native. “I hope this was fun for him. This is only a small part of what he can really see. We’d love to get him down to the shop and show him around," Price said. Josh thanked the crew for the visit and his parents say they will be taking both of their sons to see some races."For them to take time out of their busy schedule to come here and share some time with both our sons has been amazing," said Jason Grandeo, Josh's dad. "It’s just a wonderful experience we would have never dreamed of."