how did you learn to work on cars?

I started real early with toys. The big challenge was orderly dis-assembly so that I could reassemble things. I progressed to bikes and skateboards.

After I got my license, I got the responsibility of taking the family cars to the mechanic. I'd look over their shoulder, ask questions, and stay out of the way. It was rare I took a car in for the same work, because if I did the work, I got paid for it. It wasn't as much as the mechanic charged, but it was good for walking around and date money.

The summer after I got out of HS, I got a job working with a buddy for a local NASCAR Sportsman (now Nationwide Series) racer. First day on the job, put brakes under the transporter. Boss had appendectomy, so my buddy and I built a new racer while he directed from a lounge chair. It was definitely learn by doing. Over the course of three seasons, I got to do just about all of it (except drive).

Enjoyed matching wits with NASCAR inspectors, too. We never did especially well, but we had tough competition (Waltrip, B & D Allison, Bonnett, and Farmer) every week.