THE POWER BEHIND THE PETTIT 03 FORD

Source: Exit Smith
Date: 04/17/2004

As a kid, Ted Yamashiro knew he had more than just a passing interest in cars. He took an auto-shop class in high school, not knowing at the time that building cars and engines would become his career. After three years of auto-shop in high school, Ted took automotive tech classes at De Anza College where he was first introduced to machining parts for engines. While attending De Anza college, Ted worked a part- time job at a machine shop to help pay for his college tuition. There he was introduced to racing engines. At the time, the shop was building race engines for a local amateur road course. After working at the machine shop for a number of years, Ted decided to buy it in 1985. Planning to take the machine shop to the next level Ted took control and the adventure began. An opportunity to build upper echelon racing engines presented itself and Ted took it on full bore. It seemed as if every time he took on a new type of engine more engines were presented to him. Soon Ted was building engines for everything from road cars, to sprint cars and drag boats. In fact it was not until the mid 90’s that Ted was approached to build NASCAR engines. The then AOL sponsored team, driven by Damon Lusk, approached Ted in 1999 to build engines for them. Ted’s brilliance was quickly noticed by all in the Southwest Tour and was a major factor in Damon Lusk getting the call to go back east and further his career in NASCAR. Declining the offer to move east, Ted stayed in Northern California and continued to build his engine shop. He focused on restoration projects for some of the rarest cars in the world, road course engines and specialty engines for Mazda. Amazingly, even though the engines he built were the best of the best, he never turned his attention to NASCAR! In 2001, Duane Sharp who also worked with the AOL team, contacted Ted. Duane was now Crew Chief of the BayPac Racing team driven by Jim Pettit II. Duane knew from past experiences about Ted and called on him to help solidify the newly formed team as Engine Builder. Since joining the now Jim Pettit Racing team, Ted has provided the power needed under the hood. The Jim Pettit Racing team has never finished out of the top ten in points. For the last two years, the team has finished 3rd in the points and are currently leading for 2004 season. With only 14 races making up the entire season, consistency is a major factor for a top finish. The Jim Pettit Racing team is on top. Ted is a shining example of the kind of dedication it takes to be a contender in the NASCAR AutoZone Southwest Series week in and week out.

Ted sold his shop but stayed on to help manage it. He stays after work and volunteers his time and expertise to help the Jim Pettit Racing team. From building models as a hobby when he was a kid, Ted Yamashiro is now building engines for the ultra successful Jim Pettit Racing #03 Ford. Next time you are at a Southwest Series race, stop by the #03 Ford and meet Ted Yamashiro, Engine Builder.

See Also .:

• Jim Pettit II Driver Card

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