NEWTON — JaQuan Bailey helped build a winning culture at Iowa State. Now, he’s part of another tight-knit, high-performing team, this time trading jerseys and shoulder pads for fire suits and tires.
The former Cyclone defensive end — still Iowa State’s all-time leader in tackles for loss (44.5) and second in sacks (25.5) — is now a full-time tire carrier for RFK Racing’s No. 17 NASCAR Cup Series team.
Bailey speaks with deep pride about his pit crew teammates — many of whom have championship rings and Daytona 500 wins — and credits his time under Head Coach Matt Campbell at Iowa State for preparing him for the grind, the pressure and the brotherhood of NASCAR. Whether on the field in Ames or on pit road nationwide, Bailey thrives in the heart of a team built on trust, toughness and belief.
That foundation stayed with Bailey through an unlikely post-football path. After short NFL looks and a stretch working part-time in NASCAR’s lower levels, Bailey eventually earned a full-time role on RFK Racing’s No. 17 crew. He now travels to Cup races each weekend, working alongside veteran crew members.
Bailey didn’t step into a top-tier pit crew overnight. He admits his first year was a struggle — bouncing between the Truck Series, Xfinity Series and occasional Cup opportunities while trying to learn a completely new sport.
“I had to get out of, what these young people say, ‘the mud,'” Bailey said. “I started on the 38. I sucked — like, I was horrible. But I just stayed focused.”
He leaned on a familiar mantra from his college days: “Win in the dark.” A favorite phrase of Campbell, it reminded Bailey to embrace the process even when the spotlight was gone.
“I was just blessed and ready when the opportunity came,” he said. “My second race ever on the 17, we ended up winning. That’s when I knew I belonged.”
Bailey’s role on the team is clear: he’s the tire carrier for the No. 17 Body Guard Ford Mustang, driven by Chris Buescher. It’s a physically demanding job that requires precision, strength and split-second timing — something Bailey likens to playing defense on fourth down, every single down.
“It’s like fourth-and-1, 30 seconds left,” he said. “That’s every stop. There’s no off-week. It’s fast, it’s intense — and I love it.”
Bailey is quick to credit the veteran crew around him.
“Nick Patterson, my jackman — he’s been doing this for eight years. Bailey Walker won a championship with Martin Truex Jr. Our gasman Travis Juedes, my changer (Jakob) Prall — the guy played wide receiver in Canada and went to the Ivy League,” Bailey said. “It’s wild. Everyone’s got a story, and I’m just thankful to be part of it.”
Even among a relatively young pit crew, Bailey’s emergence has stood out.
“He’s come into this sport like so many other athletes from other places now, without a racing background,” said Chris Buescher, driver of the No. 17 Ford. “He dove into it and put in the work to figure out how to be one of the most competitive guys on pit road.”
Buescher said Bailey’s presence has brought a noticeable energy to the group — and results to match.
“We’ve had some really awesome numbers all year long,” Buescher said. “It’s not easy to go off into a completely new world and be successful, and he’s done that. Absolutely.”
Bailey’s path may be unconventional, but it’s not accidental. He points to his time in Ames as the foundation — not just for football, but for life.
“Coach Campbell teaches more than football,” Bailey said. “He teaches the game of life.”
He still remembers going toe-to-toe with future NFL stars like Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield, CeeDee Lamb, Creed Humphrey and Connor Williams. But some of his favorite memories at Iowa State came off the field — like the annual Victory Day, when players spend time with children facing life challenges.
“Just to see the smiles on their faces — man, that was a blessing,” he said. “I’ll always be grateful for my time in Ames.”
