PitFit Training Adds Human Performance Expert
Dr David Ferguson to serve as Sport Science Director for leading motorsports training program
INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 21, 2014) - PitFit Training announced today the addition of David Ferguson, Ph.D., as Sport Science Director to its staff. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, PitFit Training is dedicated to the physical and mental development of athletes, primarily professional race car drivers. With services ranging from strength training, to reflex improvement to injury rehabilitation, PitFit Training will utilize Dr. Ferguson's services as they continue to be an industry leader in athletic development. Ferguson will be responsible for development of driver evaluation protocols and human performance research.
Dr. Ferguson received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Master of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology from the University of North Carolina Charlotte, and his Doctorate of Philosophy in Exercise Physiology from Texas A&M University. In this process, Dr. Ferguson worked to improve the performance of pit crews for NASCAR teams Hendrick Motorsports, Michael Waltrip Racing, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, Red Bull Racing, and Stewart-Haas Racing. Dr. Ferguson also worked closely with IZOD IndyCar Series driver Charlie Kimball, the first licensed driver with diabetes to win a race in the series.
"I met Dr. Ferguson through Chip Ganassi Racing driver Charlie Kimball and some of the work he was doing to assist Charlie with his diabetes management," said Jim Leo, president of PitFit Training. "At PitFit, we're always exploring ways to stay ahead of the competition and be the best at training our clients in all areas. After meeting David and having a chance to pick his brain on training and development, I knew immediately we had to have him on our team. His experience and research into human performance and development will prove invaluable to our athletes as we move forward."
"I have been passionate about racing for a long time and I am very excited for the opportunity to be part of the PitFit Training team," noted Dr. Ferguson. "I think the future is going to be very exciting, as we will be using some technology that the racing world has not seen before, providing the opportunity for dramatic improvements in performance of PitFit Training clients of all ages."
In addition to optimizing performance of motorsport athletes, Dr. Ferguson is uniquely suited to aid in the rehabilitation of motorsports athletes as a Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Dr. Ferguson currently is a member of the ACSM Motorsport Health and Safety Committee where he works to improve the performance and safety of individuals involved in motorsports at all levels and has published several peer reviewed articles on the subject.
About PitFit Training
Founded in 1997 by sports-performance trainer Jim Leo, the actual concept for PitFit Training began in 1994 when Leo was asked by motorsports legend Roger Penske to develop a training regimen for the winningest team in Indycar history, Team Penske. In the 1994 season Penske Racing dominated by wining twelve of sixteen races including the Indy 500. Since then, PitFit Training has been instrumental in the physical development of some of the most successful drivers in racing, including Indycar's Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti, Will, Power, James Hinchcliffe, and dozens more. Clients NASCAR, NHRA, USAC, and World of Outlaws include Kasey Kahn, Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Morgan Lucas, Brandon Bernstein, Levi Jones, Shane Hmiel, Joey Saldana, and many more.
PitFit Training is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, with a 9,000 square foot training facility that features chiropractic care; massage therapy, injury rehabilitation, and racing simulators.
KV RACING TECHNOLOGY SIGNS WITH PITFIT TRAINING FOR TEAM PERFORMANCE PROGRAM
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 8, 2014 - PitFit Training announced today that they have agreed to terms with current Indianapolis 500 champions KV Racing Technology to provide a comprehensive pit crew performance and team wellness program to the Indycar team for the 2014 season.
KV Racing Technology (KVRT) participates in the IZOD Indycar Series and features former Champcar champion and Formula One driver Sebastien Bourdais. PitFit Training will provide a physical training regime at both the PitFit Training headquarters as well as the KVRT race shop. Additional services provided by PitFit Training partner IU Health Sports Performance include injury checks, nutrition program, and access to the top healthcare system in Indiana. Additional chiropractic care will be provided by Dr. Kevin Butterfield, one of the chiropractors at the PitFit Training offices located on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.
“We have worked with KVRT in the past, and are thrilled they have chosen our program to raise their overall team performance,” said PitFit Training president Jim Leo. We are confident that, in conjunction with a world-class hospital system like IU Health as well as the expert care of Dr. Butterfield, this program will provide unparalleled service to the entire KVRT organization.
Steve Moore, General Manager for KVRT said, “I am very pleased to be reuniting our relationship with Jim Leo and his PitFit Training Organization. Leo and his trainers have an extensive background in the motorsport industry; their understanding and knowledge of the physical demands placed on drivers and pit crew are second to none. They have a great training program that is targeted at each specific crew member and their pit stop duties. I'm very excited to see the benefits and gains in performance the KV Racing pit stop crew will make in the 2014 IndyCar series.”
About PitFit Training, Inc:
PitFit Training, located in the racing capital of Indianapolis, Indiana, was founded in 1997 by Jim Leo, who had been working previously with legendary Indycar team owner Roger Penske and his winning Indycar team. This partnership led to the 1994 Indycar championship and winning the Indy 500 that same year. Since then, PitFit Training has developed and implemented training, nutrition, and rehabilitation programs for hundreds of drivers, including 3-time Indycar champions Scott Dixon and Sam Hornish Jr, Indycar drivers Dario Franchitti, Paul Tracy, James Hinchcliffe, and several more. NASCAR drivers Kasey Kahne, Rick Stenhouse Jr have also train with PitFit Training along with drivers from the NHRA, World of Outlaws, and several other series.
For more information about PitFit Training, visit www.pitfit.com or follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/pitfittraining and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/PitFit-Training
Scott Dixon's 60 Minute Interview - PitFit Training, INC
Indycar Driver Physical Fitness Preparation
IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden shows viewers what goes into the physical preparation to drive
IndyCar.