Tire changer on 12 team continues to see success (cont'd)

And Piette has tried to adjust to wearing eye protection.

"The reason I never wore anything before was I felt like it distorted my vision," Piette said. "I'm having a hard time finding something that doesn't give me that feeling, but basically they're just safety goggles."

Piette said he's gotten his cheeks cut from lugs and a tooth chipped in pit practice last season -- but part of his experience is learning what not to do.

"When I finish a pit stop on the left side, I always turn to the right, in case a lug gets spun back when Ryan leaves," Piette said. "I've had that happen and it stings -- it hurts."

But for his teammates, Piette said the pain of an eye injury is something none of them is risking.

"Most of them do [wear eye protection]," Piette said. "A lot of guys wear sunglasses, particularly on bright, sunny days -- but most guys wear something, and it's a good practice."

And for his part, Piette plans to continue practicing his craft into the near future, at least.

"I don't have a timeframe set for stepping away from changing tires," Piette said. "But obviously there will come a day when a 21- or 22-year-old healthy boy -- or woman -- comes along that can get the job done quicker than I can.

"When that happens I'll be very supportive of that person because I want what's best for our team. But fortunately I still feel good right now and don't have a lot of aches and pains, which I'm very fortunate for.

"Whenever the day comes when I don't enjoy it or can't get it done, then I'll give it up, and I hope I'll still have a place to work on this race team, because I have a lot of experience with that, and that's not something you can just go to a job service and find."