CONCORD, N.C. - Josh Frankos, a biology major playing football, was sitting in class at Westminster College looking forward to the college experience.
By the end of his freshman year, life changed.
Let's just say it took a left-hand turn.
The 2008 Brooke High graduate wanted to do something different and, after a talk with his parents, he changed lanes.
He matriculated from college life in New Wilmington, Pa., to Mooresville, N.C., where he enrolled in Performance Instructional & Training, looking to make a career in motorsports and be a member of Pit Crew U.
"I didn't let the thought of changing directions interfere with my studying too much, although I couldn't wait," Frankos said.
"You can say racing has always been in my family. My father worked in the marketing side and my uncle built engines for the NASCAR series. My family and I had been going to races for as long as I can remember.
"Actually going to a race is a totally different experience than just watching it on TV. Although I hadn't put much thought into being on a pit crew all those years, due to school and sports, I always thought it would be a stellar job.
"After a year of college I decided to go back to my roots and pursue my dream of working on a pit crew. I did some research and found a school in Mooresville, N.C. (PIT).
"Not long after finding the school and talking it over with my parents, I headed south.
"The first eight weeks of the school was hands-on learning of every position on a pit crew. That is where I learned I wanted to be a tire changer.
"This is something I will be able to do for a while and get a rush every time that car comes down pit road."
He is a rear-tire changer for Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the Nationwide Series. The team has six top-five finishes, including a win at the John Deere Dealers 250 at the end of May and is third in the standings.
Frankos, who transferred from Weir High to Brooke in the middle of his junior year, played football and baseball and finds a lot of correlations between athletics and his new gig.
"I've had the opportunity to play on some great teams with some great people," he said. "The best thing about those teams was the way we came together like a family, the only way to succeed. I was always told there is nothing like playing under the lights on a Friday night and that became true until I got the chance to stand on pit wall with a car coming 50 miles an hour at me, knowing there are thousands of fans watching and you have a job to get done in around 13 seconds.
"The thrill is what keeps me alive and loving what I do.
"Football and racing relate well, not one person can win without the person next to him.
"After being in pit school for a few months I got a call from Roush Fenway Racing for a tryout. I did a few ARCA races for them and later got hired to work in the pit stop area. I was given the opportunity to do a few Nationwide races at the end of last season.
"I now work in the body hanging department and am on the No. 6 car with Ricky Stenhouse as the driver. We are in a great position to win the championship and I believe we can and will.
"Just like any other sport, you have to be able to adapt to your surroundings and make them like your own. The competitiveness is right down my alley, if you're not first your last. I'm always anxious to do the next pit stop.
"When you stand on that wall you do have some butterflies, but once you step foot on the other side all those go away an it's time to go to work. Playing sports all my life really helped me with all of these things I believe."
Frankos understands his path to jumping over a pit wall wouldn't be possible without help.
"I have to thank God for opening these doors and allowing me to run through them, also my family - mom, dad and Kristi - I love them and I wouldn't be here without their support and love throughout my life."
