Burkey, 43, played receiver at Wingate (N.C.) University before coaching at Tennessee Tech and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Then, in 2005, he joined Nick Saban’s staff with the Miami Dolphins. Three years later, he left football and joined Hendrick to lead scouting and recruiting of pit-crew members.

Now Burkey fills his teams with former athletes that he digs up in cross-country scouting trips.

He pruned the 2012 NFL All-Pro team for us to build his team of gridiron greats to go over the wall.

Here’s a look at his dream team:


Jackman


J.J. Watt, DE 	Houston Texans 	6-5, 295

“You don’t want jackmen too tall or too small because they have to use that leverage on that handle. You don’t want to ask a guy who’s 5-11 to do it. Now, can a guy that tall do it? Sure, if he’s powerful. But it’s easier with a bigger guy. The jackman on the No. 24 car is 6-6 280. J.J. would probably have to lose a little bit of weight.”


Tire Carrier


Chad Greenway, MLB

Minnesota Vikings 	6-2, 240

“Tire carriers are taller. They have to be so they can do the adjustments on the car sometimes. Chad would be strong — he’s got a solid core. He could carry the 65-pound tire and put it on in a hurry. He fits that mold because there’s so much camber on that left front that you have to get down and dig that left front out.”


Tire Changer


Wes Welker, WR 	Denver Broncos 	5-9, 185

“He fits our mold. He has great hand-eye coordination, great hands, great footwork, great agility. You have to play low to the ground. You can’t look at guys like (Detroit Lions WR) Calvin Johnson or other receivers like him — they’re too big. You have to be able to adjust. They have to get around a car in about three steps. And you have to have that hip-turn. You have to play on the edge of your feet like receivers or safeties.”


Gasman


Vonta Leach, FB 	Baltimore Ravens 	6-0, 260

“We shifted the probe down on these Gen-6 cars so the tall guys can still do it but the guys who are strong, thick and athletic like a Vonta Leach, he can handle that 94-pound fuel can. And he’s a little bit shorter; he doesn’t need to bend down to get the probe in. You don’t automatically put your biggest guy there anymore. Now, you have to have those athletic linemen. The ideal guys are a little shorter now. You still have to have (good) feet to get to the wall and back.”

— This story originally appeared in the December issue of NASCAR Illustrated. Visit NI’s Facebook page, or to subscribe go to: Store.scenedaily.com.