Beyond the Projects: From Race Tracks to Project Tracks with Becca Nell

By Becca M. Nell, VVA Managing Director

When I tell people I spend my free time racing cars, I usually get one of two reactions: wide-eyed excitement or the kind of pause that says, “Wait…what?”

But the truth is, my hobby as a race car driver and past team manager and pit crew chief has more in common with my career as a project manager at VVA than you might expect.

A race weekend doesn’t just begin when the green flag waves. It starts months before—planning schedules, confirming budgets, organizing drivers, and making sure the car is in top shape. In other words, it’s initiating and scoping a project. My “deliverables” just happen to be an engine overhaul, a reliable pit crew, and a trailer full of tools and spare parts.

Risk management is also a big part of the job. On the track, that could mean planning for a major parts failure or practicing driver swaps so no time is lost. Off the track, it’s making sure the trailer tires are road-ready, the team gets enough sleep, and someone remembers to pack the duct tape and zip ties (trust me, they solve a lot).

When race weekend arrives, execution is a true team effort. Every pit stop feels like a project milestone: everyone has a role, communication has to be crystal clear, and timing is everything. Sometimes I’m behind the wheel, but often I’m filling in wherever I’m needed most—whether that’s organizing, problem-solving, or just making sure everyone is fed and focused.

And just like in client projects, monitoring and adjusting is constant. Is the car burning too much fuel? Are the drivers comfortable with their setup? Do we need to pivot strategy to keep things moving?

Of course, not every race ends perfectly—one car may finish strong while another might hit an unexpected bump (or wall). But no matter what, the reward is in the teamwork, the learning, and the satisfaction of crossing the finish line.

What racing has taught me is simple: the same passion for details and forward motion under pressure that make me effective on the track are the same qualities I bring to my career at VVA.

Project management isn’t limited to office walls—it’s a skillset that applies everywhere, whether you’re building a skyscraper or getting a car across to the winner’s podium.

And, at the end of the day, the smiles are unmatched.