- Dewalt Crowns Pit Crew Champions: DEWALT, a leading manufacturer of power tools, recently announced the results of its 1st annual Pit Crew Challenge Championship, Wayne Laliberte from San Jose, California and his son, Tommy Laliberte from San Jose, California, took a page from the Tortoise and Hair fable to successfully change the front and rear tires on a modified DEWALT racecar to beat their competitors Brian Timmins and Tim Christ both from Millersvale, PA, with a time of 26.29 second and 10 tight lug nuts. Timmons and Christ posted a 21.00 second time, but one of the 10 lugnuts was not tightend to the required minimum of 20 foot pounds of torque. The Laliberte team each took home a $55,000 Roush Stage 3 Mustang, $2,000 in DEWALT tools and a trip to the 2005 Daytona 500 in yesterday's competition.
The nine teams were chosen from previous Pit Crew competitions held at eight locations across the country, begining in August 2004. Contestants signed up to compete in the challenge at the DEWALT Rolling Thunder trackside display. Teams of two raced to change the front and rear tires on a modified DEWALT racecar using a DEWALT Heavy-Duty ½" 18V Cordless Impact Wrench (DW059K-2). The team that completed the event in the fastest time with 10 tight lug nuts at each location was declared the Preliminary Event Winner of that competition. Each preliminary event winning team member received an 18V Cordless XRP 4 Tool Combination Kit (DC4KITA), a 18V Cordless Impact Wrench (DW059K-2), a DEWALT Protective Gear package (valued at $75) and a $100 DEWALT Footwear voucher.
On Sunday, prior to the last race in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Chase for the Championship, the Lalibertes took the DEWALT Pit Crew Challenge for one last time. This time they competed against two of the best in the business, Justin Nottestad, front tire changer for the #17 DEWALT Racing team, and Jeremy West, rear tire changer for the #17 DEWALT Racing team. While they gave it their best shot, it's safe to say that the team of Nottstead and West have had a fair share of experience when it comes to performing under pressure. With a winning time of 23.76 seconds, Nottestad and West won $25,000 in DEWALT tools for their teammates back at the #17 team garage.(Dewalt PR)(12-24-2004)
2004 Crew Chief Challenge sponsored by Wypall Wipers
Voted on by the Fans
- DATE RACE WYPALL WIPERS CREW CHIEF WINNER
2/15/02004 Daytona 500 Tony Eury, Sr.
2/22/2004 Subway 400 Robbie Reiser
3/7/2004 UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 Donnie Wingo
3/14/2004 Golden Corral 500 Tony Eury, Sr.
3/21/2004 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 Chad Knaus
3/28/2004 Food City 500 Lee McCall
4/4/04 Samsung/Radio Shack 500 Tommy Baldwin
4/18/04 Advance Auto Parts 500 Larry Carter
4/25/04 Aaron's 499 Tony Eury, Sr.
5/2/04 Auto Club 500 Robbie Loomis
5/15/04 Chevrolet Revolution 400 Tony Eury, Sr.
5/22/04 NEXTEL All-Star Challenge Robbie Reiser
5/30/04 Coca-Cola 600 Chad Knaus
6/6/04 MBNA 400 Phillipe Lopez
6/13/04 Pocono 500 Chad Knaus
6/20/04 DHL 400 Matt Borland
6/27/04 Dodge/Save Mart 350 Robbie Loomis
7/3/04 Pepsi 400 Robbie Loomis
7/11/04 Tropicana 400 Tommy Baldwin
7/25/04 New England 300 Tony Eury, Sr.
8/1/04 Pennsylvania 500 Chad Knaus
8/8/04 Brickyard 400 Robbie Loomis
8/15/04 Sirius at the Gen Pete Rondeau
8/22/04 GFS Marketplace 400 Tommy Baldwin
8/28/04 Sharpie 500 Tony Eury, Sr.
9/4/04 Pop Secret 500 Pat Tryson
9/11/04 Chevy Rock N Roll 400 Tony Eury, Sr.
9/19/04 Sylvania 300 Tony Eury, Sr.
9/26/04 MBNA America 400 Matt Borland
10/3/04 E A Sports 500 Tony Eury, Sr.
10/10/04 Banquet 400 Ryan Pemberton
10/16/04 UAW-GM Quality 500 Tommy Baldwin
10/24/04 Subway 500 Tony Glover
10/31/04 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 Chad Knaus
11/7/04 Checker Auto Parts 500 Tony Eury, Sr.
11/14/04 Southern 500 Jimmy Fennig
11/21/04 FORD 400 Jimmy Fennig
(PR)(11-24-2004)
- Fennig wins Wiper Award: Internet voters have selected Jimmy Fennig as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race after his driver, Kurt Busch, overcame several setbacks to finish fifth in Sunday's Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway and collect the Nextel Cup championship. Wypall [www.wypall.com] says nearly 65 percent of voters selected Fennig after Busch overcame a broken wheel and other problems to collect the title in Roush Racing's #97 Ford. Tony Eury Sr., crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s #8 Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt Jr., won $10,000 for the charities of his choice after collecting the most weekly victories in the voting this year with 10 wins.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(11-23-2004)
- Jimmy Fennig Rallies for 1st Crew Chief of the Race Award: Jimmy Fennig would be the first to admit that the #97 Ford Taurus was not up to scratch in the Southern 500. Driver Kyle Busch struggled with the handling of the car throughout the race. His position fluctuated during the race from 1st to 26th. But it was awesome pit stops and precise planning by Fennig and the #97 team that enabled Busch to stay competitive in the race. This effort did not go unnoticed by the fans as they voted him the WYPALL
Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. The majority of fans who logged onto www.WYPALL.com noticed how Fennig was able to rally his crew at strategic moments throughout the race. His pit stops allowed Busch to pick up track position at crucial points during the race. Tony Eury, Sr. remains in first place with ten wins. Chad Knaus is in second place with five wins. Tommy Baldwin and Robbie Loomis are tied for third place with four wins. Robbie Reiser and Matt Borland are in fourth place with two wins. Pat Tryson, Larry Carter, Lee McCall, Donnie Wingo, Phillipe Lopez, Ryan Pemberton, Tony Glover, Jimmy Fennig and Pete Rondeau are tied for fifth place, each with one win. The crew chief with the most weekly wins at the end of the season will be named WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and receive $10,000.00.(S.M.C. 500 PR)(11-16-2004)
- Eury, Sr. Wins WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Tony Eury, Sr. brought his A-game to Phoenix International Raceway. His racecar dominated the action up front, leading an impressive 118 of 315 laps in the Checker Auto Parts 500. Even when an untimely caution period threatened to keep the #8 Monte Carlo out of Victory Lane, Eury, Sr. made the smart choice not to pit under the yellow. Eury's decision gave Dale Earnhardt, Jr. the track position he needed to get the job done, bringing him a repeat win at Phoenix and his sixth victory of the season. For his combination of savvy strategy and on-track supremacy, Eury Sr. was
voted by the FANS the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. Ninety percent of the fans who logged onto www.WYPALL.com voted for Eury, Sr., noting his unmatched setup. Tony Eury, Sr. remains in first place with ten wins. Chad Knaus is in second place with five wins. Tommy Baldwin and Robbie Loomis are tied for third place with four wins. Robbie Reiser and Matt Borland are in fourth place with two wins. Pat Tryson, Larry Carter, Lee McCall, Donnie Wingo, Phillipe Lopez, Ryan Pemberton, Tony Glover and Pete Rondeau are tied for fifth place, each with one win. The crew chief with the most weekly wins at the end of the season will be named WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and receive $10,000.00.(S.M.C. 500 PR)(11-9-2004)
- Knaus Wins WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Jimmy Johnson may not have dominated the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500, but his crew chief, Chad Knaus, made all the right moves to get him in Victory Lane. When a late race caution flag left everyone guessing whether to pit or stay out, Knaus chose wisely, electing to give his driver fresh tires for the final sprint. The leader was a sitting duck for Johnson, who cruised on to victory, taking his third checkered flag in a row. The race fans rewarded Knaus' performance, voting him the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. Over 75% of the fans who voted on www.WYPALL.com thought Knaus' was the easy choice for the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. "When it came crunch time, he made the right choice," said race fan John Damian. "Mark Martin led the whole race, but Knaus put Johnson out front when it mattered most."
"When a caution flies at the end of the race, you only have a spilt second to decide if you want to pit or not," said WYPALL Wipers
spokesman Robbie Reiser. "Chad (Knaus) took a gamble deciding to pit. If there's only a few laps left, it's tough to make up the track
position you lost going into the pits, even if you do have fresh tires. Chad made it work, though. Jimmy (Johnson) took off and won
the race. Chad deserved to win the award for making the tough call." Tony Eury, Sr. remains in first place with nine wins. Chad Knaus
moves into second place with five wins. Tommy Baldwin and Robbie Loomis are tied for third place with four wins. Robbie Reiser and
Matt Borland are in fourth place with two wins. Pat Tryson, Larry Carter, Lee McCall, Donnie Wingo, Phillipe Lopez, Ryan Pemberton, Tony Glover and Pete Rondeau are tied for fifth place, each with one win. The crew chief with the most weekly wins at the end of the season will be named WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and receive $10,000.00.(S.M.C. 500 PR)(11-2-2004)
- Glover Wins WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: The newly reunited duo of Sterling Marlin and Tony Glover hit the ground running at last weekend's Subway 500 in Martinsville, VA. Despite it being only the second race since reprising his role as crew chief, Glover led Marlin to a top-five finish at one of NASCAR's most demanding tracks. The duo's performance didn't go unrecognized by the race fans, as they voted Glover the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race.
The majority of fans who voted on www.WYPALL.com thought Glover deserved top honors for making a seamless transition back into the crew chief's seat. Glover called a nearly perfect race, rallying back after his driver got turned around on lap 16. Marlin came back to lead 51 laps of the event, before finishing the afternoon in 4th place. "It's like they (Glover and Marlin) never missed a beat," said race fan Sarah Bass. "They worked together so well, especially considering it was only their second race back together. Not too many teams could do that."
"Tony (Glover) and Sterling (Marlin) have worked together a long time," said WYPALL Wipers spokesman Robbie Reiser. "They understand each other. They may not have worked directly as a driver/crew chief combination for a while, but they've built up a team chemistry through the years that hasn't died. When you've got that kind of relationship, you're going to be successful. This weekend at Martinsville proved that."
Tony Eury, Sr. remains in first place in the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief Challenge with nine wins. Chad Knaus, Tommy Baldwin and Robbie Loomis are tied for second place with four wins. Robbie Reiser and Matt Borland stand in fourth place with two wins. Pat Tryson, Larry Carter, Lee McCall, Donnie Wingo, Phillipe Lopez, Ryan Pemberton, Tony Glover and Pete Rondeau are tied for fifth place, each with one win. The crew chief with the most weekly wins at the end of the season will be named WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and receive $10,000.00.(S.M.C. 500 PR)(10-26-2004)
- Baldwin Wins WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: #9-Kasey Kahne may not have won the UAW-GM Quality 500, but his impressive run gave every indication that his first win isn't too far away. The rookie sensation dominated the action with veteran poise, leading an outstanding 207 laps before a blown right-front tire prematurely ended his day. Even though his quest for Victory Lane was prolonged, race fans recognized that Kahne undoubtedly had the car to beat and rewarded his crew chief, Tommy Badlwin, as the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race.
Nearly 35% of the fans who voted on www.WYPALL.com thought Baldwin deserved the award, despite not finishing the race. "Tommy (Baldwin) may not have won, but he was the class of the field," commented race fan James Douglas. "The only thing slowing down his car was caution flags. It was a heart breaker to see a car that good have to leave the race early."
"Tommy (Baldwin) nailed the setup," said WYPALL Wipers spokesman Robbie Reiser. "There were about three or four cars that were fighting for second place, but everyone knew that the 9 car was going to win. It's a shame that they blew a tire. Had it not been for that, you'd have seen those guys in Victory Lane. It's just a matter of time before they shake their bad luck and finally win a race."
Tony Eury, Sr. remains in first place in the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief Challenge with nine wins. Chad Knaus, Tommy Baldwin and Robbie Loomis are tied for second place with four wins. Robbie Reiser and Matt Borland stand in fourth place with two wins. Pat Tryson, Larry Carter, Lee McCall, Donnie Wingo, Phillipe Lopez, Ryan Pemberton, and Pete Rondeau are tied for fifth place, each with one win. The crew chief with the most weekly wins at the end of the season will be named WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and receive $10,000.00.(S.M.C. 500 PR)(10-19-2004)
- Pemberton Wins WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: In one of the most thrilling races of the year, Joe Nemechek held off a hard-charging Ricky Rudd on the final lap of the Banquet 400 to claim his first win of the season. The victory was also crew chief Ryan Pemberton's first career Nextel Cup Series win, but the accolades didn't end there, as Pemberton was voted by race fans the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. Over 40% of the fans who logged onto www.WYPALL.com thought Pemberton's superior strategy made him the easy pick for the award. Pemberton made the risky call to leave his driver on the track during a late-race caution, despite the leaders coming into the pits to top off with fuel. Nemechek moved from 14th to 4th by not pitting and took over the lead on lap 231, never looking back. "Pemberton didn't have the best car on the track, but he had the best game plan," noted race fan Ryan Ott. "He had a car that could go the distance and he was willing to bet on it."
"Ryan (Pemberton) did a heckuva job," commented WYPALL Wipers spokesman Robbie Reiser. "He put together a really fast car. Their track position would have probably kept them from winning, but Ryan took care of that by leaving Joe (Nemechek) out on that last round of stops. He may have been on old tires, but his car was so fast that it didn't matter. His move put his car right up front and ultimately got them the win."
Tony Eury, Sr. remains in first place in the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief Challenge with nine wins. Chad Knaus and Robbie Loomis are tied for second place with four wins. Tommy Baldwin is in third place with three wins. Robbie Reiser and Matt Borland stand in fourth place with two wins. Pat Tryson, Larry Carter, Lee McCall, Donnie Wingo, Phillipe Lopez, Ryan Pemberton, and Pete Rondeau are tied for fifth place, each with one win. The crew chief with the most weekly wins at the end of the season will be named WYPALL® Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and receive $10,000.00. For more information, visit www.wypall.com.(PR)(10-12-2004)
- Eury Sr. Back on Top at Talladega Wins WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Tony Eury Sr. reasserted his team's
dominance at Talladega Superspeedway. The #8 Chevrolet collected its fifth win of the season at the famed track, thanks in part to a gutsy call by Eury Sr. to take two tires on the final pit stop of the race. Eury's pit strategy might have left Dale Earnhardt Jr. a ten-position deficit to overcome, but the fresh rubber gave him exactly what he needed to lead the charge to the checkered flag. The FANS awarded Eury's gamble, voting him the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. Over 70% of the fans who logged onto
www.WYPALL.com agreed that Eury Sr.'s decision was the savviest move of the race. Tony Eury, Sr. remains in first place in the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief Challenge with nine wins. Chad Knaus and Robbie Loomis are tied for second place with four wins. Tommy Baldwin is in third place with three wins. Robbie Reiser and Matt Borland stand in fourth place with two wins. Pat Tryson, Larry Carter, Lee McCall, Donnie Wingo, Phillipe Lopez, and Pete Rondeau are tied for fifth place, each with one win. The crew chief with the most weekly wins at the end of the season will be named WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and receive $10,000.00. For more information, visit www.wypall.com.(WYPALL PR)(10-6-2004)
- Earnhardt Jr.'s Crew Chief Takes Honor: Internet voters have picked Tony Eury Sr. as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the race after his driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., brought Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s #8 Chevrolet home third in Sunday's Sylvania 300 Nextel Cup race at New Hampshire International Speedway. He remains in first place in the yearlong contest for a $10,000 prize.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(9-21-2004)
- Eury Sr. wins Wiper Award for RIR: Internet voters have selected Tony Eury Sr. as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race after Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished second in Saturday night's Chevy Rock and Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Eury and his Dale Earnhardt Inc. crew helped Earnhardt Jr. fight back from two wrecks to finish behind Jeremy Mayfield in Evernham Motorsports' #19 Dodge. Eury leads the contest for the $10,000 prize at the end of the year with seven victories to date.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(9-14-2004)
- Tryson takes the Wiper Award at California: Internet voters have selected Pat Tryson as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race after his driver, Mark Martin, led the most laps and finished third in Sunday night's Pop Secret 500 at California Speedway. Tony Eury Sr. remains in first place in the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge with six wins in the contest for a $10,000 prize at the end of the season.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(9-8-2004)
- Eury Sr. Wipes out the Competition: Internet voters have selected Tony Eury Sr. as the Wypall Wipers crew chief of the race after his Dale Earnhardt Inc. team put driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. in victory lane in Saturday night's Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Eury now has six wins and continues to lead in the contest for a $10,000 prize at the end of the season. Chad Knaus, crew chief for Jimmie Johnson, and Robbie Loomis, crew chief for Jeff Gordon, are tied for second place with four wins each.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(9-1-2004)
- Baldwin wins Wiper Award: Internet voters have selected Tommy Baldwin Jr. as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race after Kasey Kahne brought Evernham Motorsports' #9 Dodge home fifth in Sunday's GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Baldwin collected his third win of the season in the voting after he guided Kahne home after his father, Tom Baldwin Sr., died in a NASCAR Modified race Thursday night. Tony Eury Sr., crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s No. 8 Chevrolet, continues to lead the competition for the $10,000 prize that will be given to the crew chief with the most weekly wins at the end of the year..(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(8-24-2004)
- McCall chosen Crew Chief of the Week: Lee McCall, crew chief for Sterling Marlin's #40 Coors Light Dodge, has won the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race for his efforts in the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Fans who logged on to www.WYPALL.com concurred that Lee McCall's pit strategy earned him this week's top spot in the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief Challenge. Although McCall made good calls in the pits from the start, it was the two-tire pit stop during the caution on lap 201 that made the difference. With fresh tires on the right side, Marlin came out front and maintained the lead for the next 67 laps. Rusty Wallace and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. ultimately managed to sneak past Marlin to secure 2nd and 3rd place spots and then the five cautions during the last 120 laps served to keep the track position intact. McCall joins #48-Chad Knaus, #42-Donnie Wingo and #17-Robbie Reiser in a tie for 2nd place in the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, at one win each. #8-Tony Eury, Sr., with two wins, leads the challenge. The crew chief with the most weekly wins at the end of the season will be named WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and receive $10,000.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-31-2004)
- NASCAR fans have selected Tony Eury Sr. as crew chief of the week in the Nextel Cup series for March 14, 2004 -- Atlanta Motor Speedway, #8 Tony Eury Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt Incorporated. Comments: From Eury "We had to get over last week and concentrate totally on the present. We had a great car and I knew we could run a strong race." From Bill Elliott "Tony went from here in Daytona, to zero in Vegas, and back to hero in Atlanta. That's hard to do."
From Robbie Reiser "Tony pulled off a huge rebound." The award, sponsored by Wypall Wipers, is presented after each race to the crew chief getting the most votes by fans logging onto www.wypall.com/crewchiefchallenge.(3-18-2004)
- Tony Sr. crew chief of the week:
Not surprisingly, NASCAR fans have selected Tony Eury Sr. as crew chief of the week in the Nextel Cup series. Eury heads the crew on Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Daytona 500-winning car, which also won one of the twin 125-mile qualifying races and was third fastest in time trials. Eury also stuck around until Monday to help oversee Earnhardt's victory in the rain-delayed Busch Series race at Daytona. "This was a total team effort," Eury said. "This crew has been working their guts out since last November to get ready for this race. They poured their heart and soul into this weekend." The award, sponsored by Wypall Wipers, is presented after each race to the crew chief getting the most votes by fans logging onto www.wypall.com/crewchiefchallenge. Robby Reiser, crew chief on the car driven by defending series champion Matt Kenseth, was the fans' second choice. "I voted for Tony, too," Reiser said. "He dominated this weekend. Crew chiefs dream of putting together a car as good as his team created. He made all the right decisions, from the car setup to the pit strategy, and that's what it takes to win. He deserves this award."(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(2-19-2004)
- #1 Crew Chief takes Wiper Award: Internet voters have selected Pete Rondeau as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race after Ron Fellows brought Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s #1 Chevrolet home second in Sunday's Sirius at The Glen at Watkins Glen International. Fellows started the race in 43rd position after the field was set by owners' points when qualifying was wiped out because of moisture on the track. Tony Eury Sr., crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s #8 Chevrolet, continues to lead the competition for the $10,000 prize that will be given to the crew chief with the most weekly wins at the end of the year.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(8-18-2004)
- Loomis Votes the Best: Internet voters selected Robbie Loomis as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race after his driver, Jeff Gordon, drove Hendrick Motorsports' #24 DuPont Chevrolet to victory in Sunday's Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Loomis is now tied for second place with Chad Knaus with four victories each, one win behind Tony Eury Sr., in the season-long contest for a $10,000 prize.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(8-10-2004)
- Knaus takes the vote: Internet voters selected Chad Knaus as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race after his driver, Jimmie Johnson, scored his fourth victory of the year in Hendrick Motorsports' #48 Chevrolet in Sunday's Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway. He moves into second place behind Tony Eury Sr., crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s #8 Chevrolet of Dale Earnhardt Jr., in the yearlong contest for a $10,000 prize.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(8-6-2004)
- Eury Sr. Wins Crew Chief Honors for NHIS: Tony Eury Sr., crew chief of the #8 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Budweiser Chevrolet driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., was voted the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race for his efforts during Sunday’s Nextel Cup Series race at New Hampshire International Speedway. Eury continues to lead the overall Wypall standings with five victories. The crew chief with the most weekly wins at the end of the season wins $10,000.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(7-29-2004)
- Baldwin takes this week's crew chief honors: This week's WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race is #9-Tommy Baldwin. Baldwin's decision to enter enemy territory and confront the team that spun out his driver earned him the fans' vote. After Kasey Khane got turned around by Tony Stewart, Baldwin made an unadvised trip to the #20 team's pit stall to stick up for his driver. WYPALL Wipers spokesman Robbie Reiser gave some insight as to what made Baldwin make the risky move. "The guys at the shop work so hard on their cars," said Resier. "So much time and preparation goes into each race, and when someone dumps your driver, all that hard work goes down the drain. Even if it's unintentional, it's frustrating. It can definitely make you do some crazy things." Tony Eury, Sr. remains in first place in the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief Challenge with four wins. Chad Knaus and Robbie Loomis are tied for second place with three wins each. Robbie Reiser and Tommy Baldwin are tied for third place with two wins. Larry Carter, Lee McCall, Donnie Wingo, Phillipe Lopez and Matt Borland are tied for fourth place, each with one win. The crew chief with the most weekly wins at the end of the season will be named WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and receive $10,000.00.(ThatsRacin.com)(7-14-2004)
- Loomis Votes Top Crew Chief: Robbie Loomis, crew chief for Hendrick Motorsports' #24 DuPont/Pepsi Chevrolet of Jeff Gordon, has been voted the top crew chief in Saturday's Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway in the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race contest. Loomis took the fans' vote for the second straight race and is now tied with Chad Knaus of Hendrick's #48 Chevrolet for Jimmie Johnson for second place with three wins each. Tony Eury Sr. of Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s #8 Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the contest with four wins. The winner of the season contest will receive $10,000.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(7-8-2004)
- Loomis voted as Crew Chief Challenge Winner at Sonoma: Robbie Loomis, crew chief of the #24 DuPont Chevy which won the Dodge / Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway on June 27th, was voted as the WyPall Crew Chief Challenge Winner. For more info, to see season standings, go to www.wypall.com.(7-1-2004)
- Talladega winner: April 24, 2004, #8-Tony Eury for Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Baldwin voted this week's best crew chief: Tommy Baldwin's confident and deft pit management of the #9 Dodge led fans to vote him WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race [www.WYPALL.com]. Even with several ill-timed cautions, the #9 Dodge doggedly moved through traffic to score a second place finish. Although Khane ended his day in the runner-up position, the majority of fans felt that Baldwin’s performance topped the crew chief charts. Baldwin joins, Lee McCall, Chad Knaus, Donnie Wingo and Robbie Reiser in a tie for 2nd place in the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, at one win each. Tony Eury, Sr., with two wins, leads the challenge. The crew chief with the most weekly wins at the end of the season will be named WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and receive $10,000.(ThatsRacin.com)(4-7-2004)
- About Kimberly-Clark: Kimberly-Clark and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 150 countries. Every day, one in four people around the world trust K-C's brands to enhance their health, hygiene and well being. With brands such as Kleenex® , Scott® , Huggies®, Pull-Ups®, Kotex® and Depend®, Kimberly-Clark holds the No. 1 or No. 2 brand position in more than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the company's 132-year history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com.
About WYPALL® Wipers And Kimberly-Clark Professional Known and respected since 1975, WYPALL® Wipers are the world's leading wiper brand. Consistent and clean every time, and available in a variety of formats, WYPALL® X80 Towels are made using Kimberly-Clark's patented HYDROKNIT® Fast-Absorbing material, so they feel like cloth and work even better, with heavy-duty absorbency and strength in solvents. For more information, visit www.wypall.com.
McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade
- What is it? During each 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup points event, the participating team whose car spends the least amount of aggregate time off the race track will be named the weekly winner of the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERADE, provided the team's driver takes the green flag at the beginning of the event and the checkered flag at the conclusion of the event.. A timing line at the entrance and exit of pit road triggers the car's transponder and records the total time spent off the race track.
The point distribution per race is: 43 points for first place, descending in increments of one. The season champion of the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERADE will receive a $200,000 bonus.
The McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERADE is the largest monetary contingency program in NASCAR history. See much more detail below the Daytona 500 results.
PAST NEWS and McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit
Championship fueled by POWERade Results
- Stewart's Pit Crew Edges Earnhardt Jr.'s Crew For Season Title, $200,000 Champion's Bonus: The pit crew for Tony Stewart captured the season title in the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade. The #20 Home Depot/Joe Gibbs Racing crew will collect a $200,000 champion's bonus from McDonald's/POWERade, Dec. 3 in New York City. By winning the weekly competition three times and earning $20,000 for each victory, the total prize money earned in 2004 by Stewart's crew was $260,000. In the 36-race competition, Stewart's crew defeated the pit crew for Dale Earnhardt Jr. by a mere four points - 1262 to 1258. Earnhardt's crew won the inaugural McDonald's/POWERade championship in 2003. Elliott Sadler's crew, a seven-time weekly winner, finished third with 1248 points. The crew for Nextel Cup champion, Kurt Busch, was fourth (1240) and Kevin Harvick's crew rounded out the top five (1222). "I think it's awesome that my guys won the McDonald's/POWERade pit crew championship," said Stewart. "They've worked hard all year, in the gym and at the race track. And when track position was tough to come by, they gave it to me with fast pit stops. My guys definitely earned this championship."
Stewart's over-the-wall crew consists of: Chuck White (jackman), Tom Dean (front-tire carrier), Mike Lingerfelt (front-tire changer), Jody Fortson (rear-tire carrier), Todd Foster (rear-tire changer), Jeff "Gooch" Patterson (gas man) and Brian Larson (catch can). The team's crew chief is Greg Zipadelli and the pit stop coordinator is Paul Alepa.(DMF Commincations PR)(11-24-2004)
- Marlins pit crew takes the honors at Homestead: Sterling Marlin's pit crew took top honors in the NASCAR season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It was the third McDonald's/POWERade win of the season for the #40 crew. Marlin's Coors Light Dodge spent the least amount of time on pit road - 238.383 seconds. Bobby Labonte's Interstate Batteries Chevrolet was second at 241.073 and coming in third was Michael Waltrip's #15 NAPA Chevy at 258.508. Marlin's over-the-wall crew consists of Steven Wolfe (front-tire changer), Trent Davis (front-tire carrier), Barry Boeckenstedt (rear-tire changer), Tim Shore (rear-tire carrier), Mark Jacobs (jackman), Randy Hildreth (gasman) and Mike Motil (catch can). The team's crew chief is Tony Glover and the pit crew coach is Phil Horton.(DMF Commincations PR)(11-24-2004)
Top 10 Pit Crews in Sunday’s (Nov. 21)
Nextel Cup Ford 400 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Time Car # Points
1.
Sterling Marlin Team 238.383 seconds 40 43
2.
Bobby Labonte Team 241.073 “ 18 42
3.
Michael Waltrip Team 258.508 “ 15 41
4.
Kevin Harvick Team 262.756 “ 29 40
5.
Jamie McMurray Team 275.355 “ 42 39
6.
Greg Biffle Team 276.481 “ 16 38
7.
Elliott Sadler Team 279.154 “ 38 37
8.
Carl Edwards Team 284.784 “ 99 36
9.
Tony Stewart Team 289.069
“ 20 35
10. John Andretti Team 343.744
“ 14 34
Others:
12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Team 382.877 “ 8 32
2004 Winners of The
McDonald’s Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade:
|
Daytona (2/15) Tony
Stewart Team
Rockingham (2/22)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Team
Las Vegas (3/7) Kurt
Busch Team
Atlanta (3/14) Robby
Gordon Team
Darlington (3/21) Greg
Biffle Team
Bristol (3/28) Sterling Marlin Team
Texas (4/4) Michael
Waltrip Team
Martinsville (4/18) Kurt
Busch Team
Talladega (4/25) Robby
Gordon Team
California (5/2) Robby
Gordon Team
Richmond (5/15) Dale
Earnhardt Jr. Team
Charlotte (5/30) Jamie
McMurray Team
Dover (6/6) Tony
Stewart Team
Pocono (6/13) Casey
Mears Team
Michigan (6/20) Elliott
Sadler Team
Sonoma (6/27) Elliott
Sadler Team
Daytona (7/3) Michael
Waltrip Team
Chicago (7/11) Elliott
Sadler Team
|
N. Hampshire (7/25) Kurt Busch Team
Pocono (8/1) Greg
Biffle Team
Indianapolis (8/8) Elliott
Sadler Team
Watkins Glen (8/15) Tony Stewart Team
Michigan (8/22) Greg
Biffle Team
Bristol (8/28) Robby
Gordon Team
California (9/5) Elliott
Sadler Team
Richmond (9/11) Michael
Waltrip Team
N. Hampshire (9/19) Sterling Marlin Team
Dover (9/26) Kurt
Busch Team
Talladega (10/3) Dale
Earnhardt Jr. Team
Kansas (10/10) Elliott
Sadler Team
Charlotte (10/16) Elliott
Sadler Team
Martinsville (10/24) Kevin
Harvick Team
Atlanta (10/31) Ricky
Rudd Team
Phoenix (11/7) Dale
Earnhardt Jr. Team
Darlington (11/24) Jamie
McMurray Team
Homestead (11/21) Sterling Marlin Team
|
Final Point Standings for NASCAR NEXTEL
Cup Teams Competing
In The McDonald’s Drive-Thru Pit
Championship fueled by POWERADE:
Following Homestead (11/21);
pit crew wins in parentheses
Pos. Car # Pit Crew of Points Prize Money
1 20 Tony
Stewart Team (3) 1262 60,000
2 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Team (4) 1258 80,000
3 38 Elliott
Sadler Team (7) 1248 140,000
4 97 Kurt
Busch Team (4) 1240 80,000
5 29 Kevin
Harvick Team (1) 1222 20,000
6 15 Michael Waltrip Team (3) 1215 60,000
7 30 Jeff Burton Team 1214
8 42 Jamie McMurray Team (2) 1206 40,000
9 18 Bobby Labonte Team 1188
10 40 Sterling Marlin Team (3) 1168 60,000
11 88 Dale
Jarrett Team 1159
12 01 Joe
Nemechek Team 1158
13 31 Robby Gordon Team (4) 1146 80,000
14 21 Ricky
Rudd Team (1) 1123 20,000
15 99 Carl
Edwards Team 1116
16 16 Greg
Biffle Team (3) 1113 60,000
17 41 Casey Mears Team (1) 1083 20,000
18 49 Ken
Schrader Team 1055
19 43 Jeff Green Team 1041
20 0 Mike Bliss Team 992
21 45 Kyle
Petty Team 972
22 50 Todd
Bodine Team 768
23 09 James
Finch Team (owner) 583
24 198 William
Edwards (owner) 513
25 02 Hermie
Sadler Team 429
26 89 Morgan
Shepherd Team 362
27 1 DEI Team 240 `
28 72 Kirk
Shelmerdine Team 217
29 280 Stanton Hoover (owner) 206
30 251 Kevin
Lepage Team 146
31 14 John
Andretti Team 131
32 91 Bill
Elliott Team 128
33 100 Kenny
Wallace Team 106
34 36 Boris
Said Team 101
35 194 Stanton Barrett Team 100
36 11 J.J.Yeley Team 78
37 133 Kerry
Earnhardt Team 77
- Teams NOT participating in the Powerade Program
[usually sponsor conflicts, Powerade is a Coca Cola Product]
#2-Rusty Wallace
#4-Jimmy Spencer
#5-Terry Labonte
#6-Mark Martin
#9-Kasey Kahne
#10-Scott Riggs
#12-Ryan Newman
#17-Matt Kenseth
#19-Jeremy Mayfield
#22-Scott Wimmer
#24-Jeff Gordon
#25-Brian Vickers
#32-Ricky Craven
#48-Jimmie Johnson
- McMurray’s Crew Takes Darlington Win - One Point Separates #20 and #8: Just like the Chase for the Nextel Cup, the McDonald’s Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade is also going down to the final race of the season. Entering this weekend’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, a mere one point in the McDonald’s/POWERade standings separates the top two crews of Tony Stewart (1227) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (1226). Elliott Sadler’s crew is third (1211) and Kurt Busch’s crew is fourth (1210).
The McDonald’s/POWERade season champion pit crew will be awarded a $200,000 bonus. In Sunday’s Nextel Cup race at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, Jamie McMurray’s pit crew won the McDonald’s/POWERade competition and picked up the weekly purse of $20,000. It was the second win of the season for the No. 42 crew. McMurray’s Texaco/Havoline Dodge spent the least amount of time on Darlington’s pit road with a time of 387.121 seconds. Jeff Burton’s AOL Chevrolet was second at 425.823 and Carl Edwards’ World Financial Group Ford was third at 428.261. “This is cool for the guys on the Texaco/Havoline team," said McMurray. "They've worked really hard this year, and have shown that we're a championship caliber team. It's cool that they are being recognized for their hard work."
The No. 42 over-the-wall crew consists of: Bobby Burrell (front tire changer), Darren Jolly (front tire carrier), David Collins (rear tire changer), Scott Myers (rear tire carrier), Mark Cass (jackman), Mike Bodick (gas man) and Heath Silver (catch can). Donnie Wingo is the crew chief and Mike Brill is the car chief.(DMF Commincations PR)(11-18-2004)
Top 10 Pit Crews in Sunday’s (Nov. 14)
Nextel Cup race at Darlington Raceway
Time Car # Points
1.
Jamie McMurray Team 387.121 seconds 42 43
2.
Jeff Burton Team 425.823 “ 30 42
3.
Carl Edwards Team 428.261 “ 99 41
4.
Joe Nemechek Team 430.185 “ 01 40
5.
Jeff Green Team 439.531 “ 43 39
6.
Bobby Labonte Team 441.372 “ 18 38
7.
Sterling Marlin Team 445.793 “ 40 37
8.
Tony Stewart Team 471.493
“ 20 36
9.
Robby Gordon Team 476.196 “ 31 35
10. Mike Bliss Team
491.583
“
0 34
Others:
12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Team 557.086 “ 8 32
13. Kurt Busch Team 585.732 “ 97 31
14. Elliott Sadler Team 657.028
“ 38 30
Dale Jr.'s Pit Crew wins at Phoenix: The pit crew for Dale Earnhardt Jr. captured the Phoenix competition of the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade. The victory lifted the No. 8 team into first place in the pit crew standings with two races remaining in the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup schedule. It was the fourth McDonald's/POWERade win for the #8 crew and in three of those victories Earnhardt also won the race - Richmond (May 15), Talladega (Oct. 3) and Phoenix (Nov. 7). The McDonald's/POWERade point standings got shuffled following the Phoenix race. Earnhardt's team moved from third to first while Elliott Sadler's team dropped from first to third. Tony Stewart's team remained in second, three points out of the lead. The top four crews heading into Darlington (Nov. 14) are: Earnhardt's (1194 points), Stewart's (1191), Sadler's (1181) and Kurt Busch's (1179). Earnhardt's crew is the reigning McDonald's/POWERade champion. Earnhardt's Budweiser Chevrolet spent the least amount of time on Phoenix International Raceway's pit road with a time of 285.50 seconds. Biffle's National Guard Ford was second at 325.98 and Jeff Burton's AOL Chevy was third at 329.87. "Great team, great car, great pit stops," said Earnhardt following his Phoenix victory. "What else can you say? I'm really proud of these guys for not giving up this year. We had awesome pit stops all day, and Tony (Eury) Sr. did a great job making the calls from the pits. Whether it was the decision to take four (tires), or the decision to stay out when I was hollerin' on the radio to pit, Tony Sr. and Tony Jr. and the whole team earned their stripes." The #8 over-the-wall crew consists of: Jeff Clarke (gasman), Kevin Pennell (jackman), Phil Drye (front tire changer), Danny Earnhardt (front tire carrier), Greg Burkhart (rear tire changer), Troy Prince (rear tire carrier), Craig Lund (catch can). Tony Eury Sr. is the crew chief and the car chief is Tony Eury Jr. The pit crew coach is Walt Smith.(DMF Comminications PR), see top-10 at Atlanta with time, season standings and more on my Pit Crew page.(11-11-2004)
Top 10 Pit Crews in Sunday’s (Nov. 7)
Nextel Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway
Time Car # Points
1.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Team 285.50 seconds 8 43
2.
Greg Biffle Team 325.98 “ 16 42
3.
Jeff Burton Team 329.87 “ 30 41
4.
Bobby Labonte Team 331.26 “ 18 40
5.
Tony Stewart Team 370.56 “ 20 39
6.
Kyle Petty Team 393.66 “ 45 38
7.
Michael Waltrip Team 411.67 “ 15 37
8.
Sterling Marlin Team 413.27 “ 40 36
9.
Kurt Busch Team 413.55 “ 97 35
10. Jeff Green Team
422.76 “ 43 34
- Rudd's Pit Crew Claims Atlanta Win; Four Crews in Hunt For $200,000 Champion's Bonus: Ricky Rudd's pit crew won the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade in Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It was the first victory for No. 21 crew in the weekly competition that pays $20,000 to the winner. Heading into the final three races of the season, the McDonald's/POWERade points race has heated up with four pit crews in a closely-contested battle for the $200,000 champion's bonus.
Leading the chase is the No. 38 pit crew for Elliot Sadler with 1160 points. Tony Stewart's crew is second with 1152 points, third is Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew (1151) and fourth is Kurt Busch's crew (1144). Rudd's Rent-a-Center Motorcraft Ford spent the least amount of time on Atlanta's pit road with a time of 280.639 seconds. Stewart's Home Depot Chevrolet was second at 285.441 and Michael Waltrip's NAPA Chevy was third at 286.842. "I'm real proud of the guys," said Rudd. "They were really decent from the beginning of the year, but have gotten even better the past few weeks. I knew they were quick because we went forward all day. I'm just real proud of them. Our crew has picked up the pace, and we've got Gary Smith (pit crew trainer) on board now. He has trained a lot of the top teams and he has helped." Rudd's crew chief, Michael "Fatback" McSwain said, "Our crew and Ricky have really been working hard on this. It is good to see that all the hours they have put in practicing, and Ricky working on getting on and off pit road, have really paid off."
Rudd's over-the-wall crew consists of: Tony Martin (jackman), Mike "Andretti" Smith (front-tire changer), Andy Silver (front-tire carrier), Rob Fuller (rear-tire changer), Heath Cherry (rear-tire carrier), Henry Benfield (gasman) and Marc Smith (catch can).
(DMF Comminications PR)(11-4-2004)
Top 10 Pit Crews in Sunday’s (Oct. 31)
Nextel Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway
Time Car # Points
1.
Ricky Rudd Team 280.639 seconds 21 43
2.
Tony Stewart Team 285.441 “ 20 42
3.
Michael Waltrip Team 286.842 “ 15 41
4.
Bill Elliott Team 300.811
“ 98 40
5.
Sterling Marlin Team 302.776 “ 40 39
6.
Jeff Burton Team 311.628 “ 30 38
7.
Carl Edwards Team 317.611 “ 99 37
8.
John Andretti Team 324.894 “ 14 36
9.
Jeff Green Team 325.050 “ 43 35
10. Kyle Petty Team
326.344 “ 45 34
- Martinsville Performance Gives Harvick's Pit Crew First Win of Season: The pit crew for Kevin Harvick scored its first victory in the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade by taking top honors in Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The No. 29 crew earned $20,000 for the win. With four races remaining, only 13 points separate the top three crews in the McDonald's/POWERade standings. Elliott Sadler's crew leads with 1140 points. Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew is second with 1129 and Kurt Busch's crew is third with 1127. The championship pit crew will earn a $200,000 bonus. Harvick's GM Goodwrench Chevrolet spent the least amount of time on Martinsville's pit road with a time of 323.762 seconds. Jeff Burton's AOL Chevy was second at 340.342 and Busch's IRWIN Ford was third at 349.652. "Kevin does everything he can on the track so we have to do everything we can for him when he comes into the pits," said Todd Berrier, crew chief for the No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet team. "Track position is critical at Martinsville because of how difficult it is to pass so winning the McDonald's/POWERade award there shows how good our Goodwrench crew is. All the pit stop practice and time in the weight room the guys do at the shop during the week really pay off." Harvick's over-the-wall crew consists of: Mike Scearce (jackman), Brian Englehart (gasman), Scott Naset (catch can), Jason Pulver (front-tire changer), Josh Mick (front-tire carrier), Clint Pittman (rear tire changer) and Kenny Barber (rear-tire carrier).(DMF Comminications)(10-27-2004)
Top 10 Pit Crews in Sunday’s (Oct. 24)
Nextel Cup race at Martinsville Speedway
Time Car # Points
1.
Kevin Harvick Team 323.762
seconds 29 43
2.
Jeff Burton Team 340.342 “ 30 42
3.
Kurt Busch Team 349.652
“ 97 41
4.
Greg Biffle Team 355.890
“ 16 40
5.
Sterling Marlin Team 360.583 “ 40 39
6.
Jamie McMurray Team 365.372 “ 42 38
7.
Tony Stewart Team 407.290 “ 20 37
8.
Bobby Labonte Team 420.386 “ 18 36
9.
Michael Waltrip Team 460.348 “ 15 35
10. Ken Schrader Team 479.129 “ 49 34
- Sadler's Pit Crew Wins Charlotte Event; Donates Prize Money: Elliott Sadler's pit crew scored its seventh win of the season in the weekly McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade by taking top honors in Saturday night's UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte. Sadler's crew is donating its $20,000 first-place prize money from Charlotte to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and to the Autism Society of America. Each charity will receive $10,000. "This weekend I was told the guys are going to donate the winnings to the Susan G. Komen Foundation and to the Autism Society of America," said Sadler. "Both of these charities are very close to Dale Jarrett's and my hearts, so we are proud the team decided to donate their prize money to two great causes." The chase for the McDonald's/POWERade season championship is shaping up to be a battle between Sadler's crew and the No. 8 crew for Dale Earnhardt Jr., which finished second in Charlotte. With five Nextel Cup races remaining, Sadler's crew has a 10-point lead over Earnhardt's crew - 1115 to 1105. Lurking in third is Kurt Busch's crew with 1086 points. Sadler's Combos Ford spent the least amount of time on Lowe's Motor Speedway's pit road - 406.582 seconds. Earnhardt Jr.'s Budweiser Chevrolet followed with a time of 421.810. Jeff Burton's No. 30 AOL Chevy was third at 439.302. Sadler's over-the-wall crew consists of: Darryl Lockyer (front-tire changer), Kevin Hall (front-tire carrier), Dave Smith (rear-tire changer/car chief), Lance Hanna (rear-tire carrier), Rodney Fetters (jackman), Preston Cordell (gas man) and Jay Thompson (catch can). The team's crew chief is Todd Parrott.(DMF Commications PR)(10-20-2004)
Top 10 Pit Crews in Saturday’s (Oct. 16)
UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway
Time Car # Points
1.
Elliott Sadler Team 406.582
seconds 38 43
2.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Team 421.810 “
8 42
3.
Jeff Burton Team 439.302 “ 30 41
4.
Tony Stewart Team 441.601 “ 20 40
5.
Dale Jarrett Team 446.234 “ 88 39
6.
Bobby Labonte Team 446.940 “ 18 38
7.
Jamie McMurray Team 448.531 “ 42 37
8.
Ricky Rudd Team 455.874 “ 21 36
9.
Ward Burton Team 469.171 “ 0 35
10. Robby Gordon Team 476.726 “ 31 34
- Kansas Win Puts Sadler's Pit Crew Back On Top: Elliott Sadler's pit crew won the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade Sunday at Kansas Speedway. The victory lifted the No. 38 crew into first place in the point standings and the chase for the $200,000 champion's bonus. Sadler's crew leads the weekly competition in both victories (six) and prize money ($120,000). With six Nextel Cup races remaining, Sadler's crew goes into the homestretch with a nine-point lead over Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew - 1072 to 1063. Earnhardt's crew finished 12th in Kansas. Sadler's M&M's Ford spent the least amount of time on Kansas' pit road - 150.499 seconds. Greg Biffle's National Guard Ford was second at 182.875. Dale Jarrett's UPS Ford came in third with a time of 184.018. "It's awesome to have great pit strategy and a great pit crew," said Sadler. "Our M&M'S pit crew has been on top of their game all year. They practice hard all week and it shows up every Sunday. This is by far the best pit crew I've ever had in my career and our results echo their success on pit road. Every time the yellow comes out I know we are going to come in and pick up some spots. Those guys deserve this McDonald's/POWERade award and our team has won this more than any other team this season and now we're back in the lead." Sadler's over-the-wall crew consists of: Darryl Lockyer (front-tire changer), Kevin Hall (front-tire carrier), Dave Smith (rear-tire changer/car chief), Lance Hanna (rear-tire carrier), Rodney Fetters (jackman), Preston Cordell (gas man) and Jay Thompson (catch can). The team's crew chief is Todd Parrott.(DMF Commuincations PR)10-13-2004)
Top 10 Pit Crews in Sunday’s (Oct. 10)
Banquet 400 at Kansas Speedway
Time Car # Points
1.
Elliott Sadler Team 150.499
seconds 38 43
2.
Greg Biffle Team 182.875 “ 16 42
3.
Dale Jarrett Team 184.018 “ 88 41
4.
Ricky Rudd Team 189.597 “ 21 40
5.
Jamie McMurray Team 193.929 “ 42 39
6.
Joe Nemechek Team 218.847 “ 01 38
7.
Michael Waltrip Team 256.657 “ 15 37
8.
Tony Stewart Team 264.249 “ 20 36
9.
Jeff Burton Team 266.953 “ 30 35
10. Kurt Busch Team 279.040 “ 97 34
(12.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Team 305.814 “ 8 32)
- Dale Jr.'s Pit Crew Takes Over Points Lead After Talladega Win: Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s pit crew not only captured Sunday's McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade at Talladega Superspeedway, but the No. 8 crew also took over the competition's points lead which will pay the season champion a $200,000 bonus.
It was the third time this season that Earnhardt's crew won the $20,000 weekly prize - the other wins were at Rockingham and Richmond in May. The No. 8 crew, which played a vital role in Earnhardt's victory in the restrictor-plate race, overcame a 19-point deficit to Elliott Sadler's crew going into Talladega. Earnhardt's crew earned 43 points for the win while Sadler's crew picked up 22 points for finishing 22nd.
With seven Nextel Cup races remaining, the McDonald's/POWERade points race is shaping up to be a tightly-contested battle. The top-five crews are: Earnhardt Jr. (1031 points), Sadler (1029), Kurt Busch (1020), Kevin Harvick (1013) and Tony Stewart (997).
Earnhardt's Budweiser Chevrolet spent the least amount of time on Talladega's pit road - 203.341 seconds. Busch's Sharpie Ford was second at 211.299. Joe Nemechek's No. 01 U.S. Army Chevy came in third with a time of 213.680.
"Great pit stops all day," said Earnhardt. "I believe every time we made a pit stop, we picked up positions. Tony Jr. made a great call there when we were coming in for a quick gas-and-go with about 12 or 11 to go. The caution came out just as we had entered pit road, so he was yelling 'Put on two tires! Put on two tires!' That was a split-second decision, and I think it was the difference in us winning and losing. Those two right-side tires made the car turn so much better, and I had 'em and nobody else did."
Tony Eury Sr., crew chief for the No. 8 team, said, "We've finally got our pit crew going the way we need it to. We made a few changes not too long ago, because we felt like if we're going to make a serious run at this championship, we need to get our act together in the pits. Our pit stops have been really good last month, and it just so happens we've won two races and added a few more top-fives to go with them. Dale Jr. has done a great job driving the car, and the guys in the pits have done a great job getting him in and out."
The No. 8 over-the-wall crew consists of: Jeff Clarke (gasman), Kevin Pennell (jackman), Phil Drye (front tire changer), Danny Earnhardt (front tire carrier), Greg Burkhart (rear tire changer), Troy Prince (rear tire carrier), Craig Lund (catch can). Tony Eury Sr. is the crew chief and the car chief is Tony Eury Jr. The pit crew coach is Walt Smith.(DMF Communications PR).(10-7-2004)
Top 10 Pit Crews in Sunday’s (Oct. 3)
EA Sports 500 at Talladega Superspeedway
Time Car # Points
1.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Team 203.341
seconds 8 43
2.
Kurt Busch Team 211.299 “ 97 42
3.
Joe Nemechek Team 213.680 “ 01 41
4.
Robby Gordon Team 214.165
“ 31 40
5.
Jeff Burton Team 220.755 “ 30 39
6.
Kevin Harvick Team 228.252
“ 29 38
7.
Ward Burton Team 228.944 “ 0 37
8.
Michael Waltrip Team 246.150 “ 15 36
9.
Ken Schrader Team 293.331
“ 49 35
10. Tony Stewart Team 328.965 “ 20 34
(22.
Elliott Sadler Team 616.380 “ 38 22)
- Busch's Pit Crew Takes Top Honors in Dover: Kurt Busch's pit crew captured the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade in Sunday's MBNA America 400 at Dover (Del.) International Speedway. It was the fourth victory of the season that Busch's team has won the $20,000 weekly prize. The other three victories were in Las Vegas, Martinsville and the July race in New Hampshire. With eight Nextel Cup races remaining, Elliott Sadler's pit crew continues to cling to the McDonald's/POWERade points lead and the chase for the $200,000 champion's bonus. Sadler's crew has a 19-point lead - 1007 to 988 -- over the pit crew for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Busch's crew is third with 978 points. Busch's No. 97 Sharpie Ford spent the least amount of time on Dover's pit road - 197.353 seconds. Michael Waltrip's No. 15 NAPA Chevrolet came in second with a time of 198.824. Ricky Rudd's No. 21 "Keep It Genuine" Ford was third at 199.386. "These Sharpie guys did a great job on Sunday," said crew chief Jimmy Fennig. "We had a lot of changes going on to keep up with the car during the stops, and the over-the-wall guys really hit their marks. Pit stops are just as important as anything else in this "Chase" deal, so to win the McDonald's/POWERade competition shows that we're doing that part right." Busch's over-the-wall crew consists of: Scott Ward (front tire changer), Mark Full (front tire carrier), Kevin Gilman (rear tire changer), Jason Binger (rear tire carrier), Doug Newell (gasman), Scott Radel (jackman) and Jim Gaudette (catch can).(DMF Communications)(9-29-2004)
Top 10 Pit Crews in Sunday’s (Sept. 26)
MBNA America 400 at Dover International Speedway
