Crew Member Profile: TriStar Motorsports Interior Specialist Kyle Shano

By Ben White

Kyle Shano, interior specialist for TriStar Motorsports and driver Cole Whitt, comes from a family of racers that traveled east from California years ago to NASCAR’s Cup series.

“The first Cup series race I saw was the 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1996,” Shano said. “I’ve always been around the sport. My Dad, David Shano, has been racing forever and I grew up watching him. He was a Winston West driver for many years and is actually the transporter driver for the No. 77 Furniture Row Cup team.”

For several years, Kyle drove dirt Late Models before he answered the call to work alongside his family in NASCAR’s premier Cup arena.

“I just adapted my skills and met the right people I suppose and here I am,” Kyle said. “My first job was with a pit development team for Team Penske in 2010. From there, I went to Champion Tire and Wheel and became a manager. Through that opportunity, I branched out, did some networking and met some people. Now I’m here doing interiors for Cole.”

These days, it’s all about making sure every switch and every button is where Whitt wants them within arm’s reach in the team’s No. 72 Chevrolets.

“Basically I do everything driver-related,” Shano said. “I put in the seats, make sure the seat belts, dashboards and the pedals and mirrors are perfect for him. The main thing is that he is comfortable and safe. Those are the main things on my list. It’s a lot of work the first time but once you get all your measurements and you duplicate them in each car it every week. Making him comfortable in the car is very important.”

QUOTE: “What I enjoy most about racing is the constant development and how we are always learning and never stationary. You are always trying to get better. I get to work with great drivers like Cole and J.J. Yeley and they are real good people.”

EXTRA LAPS WITH KYLE SHANO

RELATIONSHIP: Single

HOMETOWN: San Diego, Calif.

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Bora Bora

FAVORITE HOLIDAY: Halloween

FAVORITE SEASON: Winter

FAVORITE TV SHOW: How I Met Your Mother

FAVORITE MOVIE: Cars

FAVORITE MUSIC: Rock