Anyone who has changed a tire would marvel at the performance of a race car pit crew, which must swap all four in less than five seconds or face being drummed out of the corps.
For the past two years, Chris Snyder’s focus has been on the details of auto racing. He thinks his efforts as a physical fitness instructor will help all aspects of the Target Chip Ganassi Racing team meet its goals Sunday in the Indianapolis 500.
While that team has two entries in the field, Snyder will be playing for the Colorado Crush in its Arena Football League playoff game against the Chicago Rush at the Pepsi Center.
“I won’t get to see much of the race, but I’ll be there in spirit,” Snyder said. “Hopefully they’ll get a win and we’ll get a win here.”
Two weeks ago Snyder, 31, didn’t dream he would be dividing his focus between an auto race and playing for the Crush. He hadn’t played in the arena league since the 2004 season, and the 2006 regular season was one game from being finished.
But a voice from the past beckoned, and the call was at the right time and from the right person. Crush coach Mike Dailey was searching for linemen to fill holes left by injuries to Chris Berg and Aaron Johnson, and the Crush was facing an important game against the Arizona Rattlers. A Crush victory would clinch home-field advantage in the playoffs.
“If I had been working a desk job, there’s no way I could have done it,” Snyder said. “Coach called me on a good day. It took about two seconds to decide. I was thinking only one game, and it was hard to turn down.”
Snyder played for Dailey with the Indiana Firebirds for five years before Dailey moved to the Crush for the 2004 season. Snyder said his final season in Indianapolis under a different coaching staff turned out badly, influencing his decision to leave the game before he felt his playing days should have been finished.
“I knew that if anyone could step in and make it work, it would be him,” Dailey said. “I didn’t know if he would do it, but I knew he would be in great condition and he knew our system from our time in Indiana.”
Snyder entertained offers to play for Colorado, Chicago and Nashville for the 2005 season, but decided to concentrate on working in the “real world.”
“I’ve helped out with their pit stop performance,” Snyder said. “I don’t know how to change a tire on an Indy car better than those guys, but I know a lot about practice and how to coach things. If you’re over five seconds, it’s not where you want to be.
“But I don’t just train people who change tires. It’s a full team strength and conditioning program. We’ve had as many as 85 people in class at times. They see how this can enhance the performance in all aspects of racing.”
Snyder is finding out how that experience will help his performance on the football field. With the Crush, Snyder joined several of his former teammates from his days with the Firebirds. Snyder’s wife, Marly, calls the Crush “Firebirds West.”
“I was really excited for him when the chance came,” Marly Snyder said.
Now one game has turned into two, and the Snyders are hoping for more. If the Crush wins Sunday, it will advance to the conference championship game, one step from the ArenaBowl on June 11 in Las Vegas.
“Absolutely, I’ll be ready to go if it means a trip to Las Vegas,” Marly Snyder said.
Crush lineman Hugh Hunter, who previously played for the Firebirds, said he is glad to have his old teammate around.
“We wouldn’t bring anybody in who might separate the team,” Hunter said. “He knows the game. It’s like riding a bicycle; you never forget how to ride. We’re glad to have him aboard.”
Snyder is playing at 255 pounds, about 30 pounds less than when he competed before. He said he believes he might be able to get back to his normal playing weight through another offseason.
“I’m not saying I wouldn’t come back next year,” Snyder said.
After a little more time in the fast lane.
Staff writer Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imps@denverpost.com.
