- #99 Team Wins 3rd Qtr Pit Crew Award: The #99 Office Depot pit crew for Roush Fenway Racing has enjoyed a celebration in victory lane three times this season,
including twice during the third quarter, as they made a strong push for driver Carl Edwards to race into the Chase for the Championship. In addition to a Chase birth, the pit crew for the #99 Office Depot team has been named the Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew for the third quarter of the season. The Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award is given quarterly throughout the Nextel Cup Season. At the end of each quarter, the winning pit crew is determined by a vote of each team’s crew chief. The four quarterly winners are
eligible for the year-end Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award and a check for $100,000 awarded at the 2007 Nextel Cup Series Awards Banquet in New York City. The #99 Office Depot over-the-wall crew for Roush Fenway Racing has helped driver Carl Edwards to wins at Michigan International Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and Dover International Speedway. The #99 team has recorded eight top five and 12 top 10 finishes this season. Through three quarters of the season the #99 Office Depot team has recorded an average finish of 13.7 and sits sixth in the standing, 205 points behind current point leader Jeff Gordon. “The #99 Office Depot Pit Crew has really turned some heads as the year has developed,” said Andrew Carter, pit crew coach for the #99 Office Depot team. “It’s truly an honor when your peers, crew chiefs from other teams, recognize the great work that your team is doing. We always strive to improve. Right now we are in the heart of the Chase for the Championship and we are doing everything we can to make sure that at the end of the season Carl and the #99 Office Depot team are holding the Nextel Cup Series trophy.”
“The #99 Office Depot Team has embodied the spirit of the Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award,” said Ted Abdon, Mechanix Wear director of racing. “The #99 Office Depot Pit Crew has won the respect of their peers and put their team in an outstanding position to compete for a Championship. The Office Depot team has shown what it means to come together and achieve a common goal.”(Mechanix Wear/Clear!Blue PR)(10-17-2007)
- #24 Team wins 2nd Quarter Most Valuable Pit Crew Award: The #24 Hendrick Motorsports DuPont pit crew has enjoyed a celebration on victory lane four times this season. Now they are adding one more victory to their already established list of accomplishments for the 2007 campaign – the Mechanix Wear 2nd quarter Most Valuable Pit Crew Award. The Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award is given quarterly throughout the Nextel Cup Season. At the end of each quarter, the winning pit crew is determined by a vote of each team’s crew chief. The four quarterly winners are eligible for the year-end Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award and a check for $100,000 awarded at the 2007 Nextel Cup Series Awards Banquet in New York City. 2007 Quarterly Winners: 1st - #29 Richard Childress Racing; 2nd - #24 Hendrick Motorsports.(Mechanix Wear PR)(7-31-2007)
- #29 Pit Crew wins 1st Qtr MVP Crew Award: Start the year with a Daytona 500 victory, two top-5 and five top-10 finishes in the first 10 races of the Nextel Cup Series season and your competitors will pay attention. Nextel Cup Series crew chiefs have noted the handy work of the #29 RCR Shell-Pennzoil Pit Crew by naming them the First Quarter Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew. The Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award is given quarterly throughout the Nextel Cup Season. At the end of each quarter, the winning pit crew is determined by a vote of each team’s crew chief. The four quarterly winners are eligible for the year-end Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award and a check for $100,000 awarded at the 2007 Nextel Cup Series Awards Banquet at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.(Mechanix Wear PR)(5-21-2007)
Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge
- Jeff Gordon's Team Claims 2007 Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge Season Championship: Jeff Gordon's #24 over-the-wall crew beat Mark Martin's #01 crew in a tiebreaker to capture the 2007 Checkers®/Rally's® Double Drive-Thru Challenge season championship. Gordon's and Martin's pit crews ended the season tied for first with four wins a piece, but the tiebreaker went to Gordon's team for having the highest finish in the Nextel Cup driver point standings. Checkers/Rally's will present Gordon's crew a $111,150 bonus check for winning the season-long competition during Champions Week in New York City. Combined with its $11,000 winnings for each weekly each pit crew victory, the total prize money earned by Gordon's crew in 2007 is $155,150. The #24 crew consists of: Jeff Cook (jackman), Mike "Tiny" Houston (front-tire carrier), Clay Robinson (front-tire changer), Jeff Knight (rear-tire carrier), Kevin Gilman (rear-tire changer), Caleb Hurd (gasman), Jamie Frady (catch can) and Andy Kruep (eighth-man). The pit crew coach is Matt Clark. David Ragan's #6 over-the-wall crew won the weekly Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru challenge during Sunday's (Nov. 18) Nextel Cup event at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It was the first win of the season for the Roush Fenway Racing crew. Ragan's team consists of: Dennis Killian (jackman), Shelton McCall (front-tire carrier), Adam Emmert (front-tire changer), TJ Hamilton (rear-tire carrier), Dwayne Ogles (rear-tire changer), John Goodman (gasman), Shane Wood (catch can) and Justin Hines (eighth man). Jimmy Fennig is the crew chief. Checkers/Rally's paid out $507,150 in prize money during the 2007 Nextel Cup season
Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.
2007 Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge Winners - Nextel Cup Series
Pos Car No. Pit Crew Wins Prize Money
T1 24 Jeff Gordon* 4 155,150
T1 01 Mark Martin 4 44,000
T3 12 Ryan Newman 3 33,000
T3 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 3 33,000
T3 5 Kyle Busch 3 33,000
T3 11 Denny Hamlin 3 33,000
T7 48 Jimmie Johnson 2 22,000
T7 2 Kurt Busch 2 22,000
T7 29 Kevin Harvick 2 22,000
T7 25 Casey Mears 2 22,000
T7 07 Clint Bowyer 2 22,000
T7 41 Reed Sorenson 2 22,000
T7 1 Martin Truex 2 22,000
14 70 Johnny Sauter 1 11,000
T14 6 David Ragan 1 11,000
* still in contention for season championship
2007 Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge Winners - Nextel Cup Series
Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge
Daytona (2/18) #01-Mark Martin Team
California (2/25) #01-Mark Martin Team(2)
Las Vegas (3/11) #01-Mark Martin Team(3)
Atlanta (3/18) #48-Jimmie Johnson Team
Bristol (3/25) #11-Denny Hamlin Team
Martinsville (4/1) #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. Team
Texas (4/15) #01-Mark Martin Team(4)
Phoenix (4/22) #11-Denny Hamlin Team(2)
Talladega (4/29) #2-Kurt Busch Team
Richmond (5/6) #24-Jeff Gordon Team
Darlington (5/13) #24-Jeff Gordon Team(2)
Charlotte (5/27) #11-Denny Hamlin Team (3)
Dover (6/4) #12-Ryan Newman Team
Pocono (6/10) #24-Jeff Gordon Team(3)
Michigan (6/17) #5-Kyle Busch Team
Infineon (6/24) #29-Kevin Harvick Team
New Hampshire (7/1) #48-Jimmie Johnson Team (2)
Daytona (7/7) #25-Casey Mears Team
Chicago 7/15) #29-Kevin Harvick Team (2)
Indianapolis (7/29) #41-Reed Sorenson Team
Pocono (8/5) #12-Ryan Newman Team(2)
Watkins Glen (8/12) #1-Martin Truex Team
Michigan (8/21) #2-Kurt Busch Team(2)
Bristol (8/25) #07-Clint Bowyer Team
California (9/3) #8-Dale Earnhardt Team(2)
Richmond (9/8) #24-Jeff Gordon Team (4)
New Hamp. (9/16) #5-Kyle Busch Team (2)
Dover (9/23) #25-Casey Mears Team (2)
Kansas (9/30) #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. Team(3)
Talladega (10/7) #70-Johnny Sauter Team
Charlotte (10/13) #07-Clint Bowyer Team (2)
Martinsville (10/21) #5-Kyle Busch Team (3)
.
Atlanta (10/28) #41-Reed Sorenson Team (2)
Texas (11/4) #12-Ryan Newman Team (3)
Phoenix (11/11) #1-Martin Truex Team (2)
Homestead (11/18) #6-David Ragan Team
(DMF Communications PR)(11-21-2007)
- Truex's Team Tallies Pit Crew Win at Phoenix: Martin Truex Jr.'s over-the-wall crew tallied its second win of the season in the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge by taking top honors in the competition Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway. "The #1 team has been getting better and better as the year progresses," said Walt Smith, pit crew coordinator for Truex's Dale Earnhardt Inc. team. "They've really hit their stride in The Chase and have been doing a terrific job. The crew has gelled at the right time and we're looking forward to a great season next year as well." Truex's crew, which will receive an $11,000 check for winning the weekly competition, consists of: Jeff Kerr (jackman), Ryan Buscaglio (front-tire carrier), Dave Collins (front-tire changer), Mark Kennerly (rear-tire carrier), Coleman Dollarhide (rear-tire changer), Preston Cordell (gasman), Mark Purvis (catch can) and Haskell Lavelette (eighth-man). Kevin "Bono" Manion is the crew chief. Heading into the Nextel Cup Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend, only the four-time winning crews for Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon are in contention for the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge season championship and the $111,150 season bonus.
If Martin's crew does not win the competition at Homestead, the title will go to Gordon's crew, based on the tiebreaker of the team which finishes highest in the driver point standings. To date, Checkers/Rally's has paid out $385,000 to Nextel Cup pit crews. If there's a tie after the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 18), the team that finishes highest in the driver point standings will be awarded the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru season championship. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(11-15-2007)
- Newman's Team Takes Pit Crew Honors in Texas: Ryan Newman's over-the-wall crew took top honors in Sunday's Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway. The #12 Penske Racing crew visited pit road for a total of 306.591 seconds during Sunday's Nextel Cup event. "The guys did a great job in the pits today, as they've done for the entire season," said Newman. "We took a few risks by taking two tires only in order to gain track position and (crew chief) Mike Nelson did a great job making those calls. It helped us lead a few laps and get a fifth-place finish at Texas. Our last stop helped us gain five spots and we were able to hold on against teams that took four tires." Checkers/Rally's will present Newman's team with an $11,000 check for winning the weekly competition. An additional $111,150 prize will be awarded to the over-the-wall crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. Newman's team consists of: Bryan White (jackman), Scott Reiniger (front-tire carrier), Ben Brown (front-tire changer), Trent Cherry (rear-tire carrier), Joe Piette Jr. (rear-tire changer), George Whitley (gasman), Britt Goodrich (catch can) and Michael Warren (eighth-man). Cherry and Bob Pressley are the pit crew coaches. With two races remaining, the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge season championship is still up for grabs. Mark Martin's #01 crew and Jeff Gordon's #24 crew are currently tied for the lead with four wins each; however, six other teams are still mathematically in contention. If there's a tie after the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 18), the team which finishes highest in the driver point standings will be awarded the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru season championship. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(11-8-2007)
- Sorenson's Team Collects Pit Crew Win at Atlanta: Reed Sorenson's over-the-wall crew collected the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge during Sunday's Nextel Cup event at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It was the second pit crew win of the season for Sorenson's team. The #41 crew, out of the Chip Ganassi Racing stable, spent 359.594 seconds on pit road during the 328-lap event, the least of any participating crew. Sorenson's over-the-wall crew is made up of: Chuck White (jackman), Marty Forcier (front-tire carrier), Bobby Burrell (front-tire changer), Adam Moser (rear-tire carrier), Jason Sheets (rear-tire changer), Randy Hildreth (gasman), Eric "Pee Wee" Hoyle (catch can), and Shane Bourgeois (eighth-man). The team's pit crew coach is Lance Munksgard. Checkers/Rally's will present Sorenson's crew with an $11,000 check for winning the weekly competition. An additional $111,150 prize will be awarded to the over-the-wall team with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. With three races remaining, the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge season championship can still be won by 12 different teams. Mark Martin's #01 crew and Jeff Gordon's #24 crew are currently tied for the lead with four wins each; however, 10 other teams have two or more victories. To date, Checkers/Rally's has paid out $363,000 to Nextel Cup pit crews If there's a tie after the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 18), the team that finishes highest in the driver point standings will be awarded the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru season championship. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(11-1-2007)
- Kyle Busch's Team Earns Pit Crew Challenge Win at Martinsville: Kyle Busch's #5 over-the-wall crew earned its third Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win of the season by taking top honors in Sunday's Nextel Cup event at Martinsville Speedway. The win moved the #5 crew into a tie for second-place in the season-long standings. "To win the pit crew challenge at Martinsville says a lot - that pit road is so tight and hard to get in and out of," said Busch, whose team spent 242.325 seconds on the pit lane. "My guys are awesome - they have been awesome all year long and I'm really proud of them." With only four races remaining on the Nextel Cup circuit, the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge honors remain up for grabs. Mark Martin's #01 crew and Jeff Gordon's #24 crew are currently tied for the lead in the season-long competition with four wins each, while the crews of Busch, Denny Hamlin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have collected three wins. Checkers/Rally's will present Busch's crew with an $11,000 check for winning the weekly competition. An additional $111,150 prize will be awarded to the over-the-wall team with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. The #5 over-the-wall crew, out of the Hendrick Motorsports stable, includes: Rick Pigeon (jackman), Jeremy "JD" Holcomb (front-tire carrier), DJ Richardson (front-tire changer), Jason Jones (rear-tire carrier), Josh Kirk (rear-tire changer), Brad Pickens (gasman), Jason Dalrymple (catch can), and Kevin Hulstein (eighth-man). The team's pit crew coach is Mark Mauldin To win, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. To date, Checkers/Rally's has paid out $352,000 to Nextel Cup pit crews. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(10-25-2007)
- Bowyer's Team Takes Pit Crew Challenge Win in Charlotte: Clint Bowyer's #07 over-the-wall crew claimed the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win in Saturday night's Bank of America 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. Bowyer's crew spent 345.178 seconds on pit road on its way to a runner-up finish in the Nextel Cup event. "We're all excited to win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive Thru Challenge," said crew chief Gil Martin. "Mr. Jack's Crew has been the model of consistency this year and we had another good night at Charlotte. We knew when the Chase started that our entire team would have to step up in a big way and this award definitely illustrates this team's ability to answer that call." Checkers/Rally's will award the Richard Childress Racing team with an $11,000 check for winning the weekly competition. An additional $111,150 prize will be presented to the over-the-wall crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. Bowyer's #07 over-the-wall crew consists of: Carey Wimbish (jackman), Dail Long (front-tire carrier), Shane Westerberg (front-tire changer), Dustin Long (rear-tire carrier), Jake Lind (rear-tire changer), Mike Morrison (gasman), Clint "Ratto" Almquist (catch can) and Troy Welty (eighth man). With just five races remaining in the Nextel Cup season, Mark Martin's #01 crew and Jeff Gordon's #24 crew are currently tied for the lead in the season-long competition with four wins each. To win, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. To date, Checkers/Rally's has paid out $341,000 to Nextel Cup pit crews. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(10-18-2007)
- Sauter's Team Earns First Pit Crew Challenge Win: Johnny Sauter's over-the-wall crew earned its first Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win of the season by taking top honors in Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway. The victory makes Sauter's #70 team the 14th crew to win the weekly competition this year.
"The Team Yellow pit crew has been rock-solid all season and this week they finally got the recognition they deserve by winning the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge," said Sauter. "This is pretty much the same Team Yellow crew that won the overall challenge for our Busch Series team last season and they were performing at the Cup level then - so it's no surprise that they're getting their due in the Cup series as well. The pit road performance has been a key component of our success this season and I'm really happy to see them receive this award." Checkers/Rally's will award Sauter's Haas CNC Racing crew with an $11,000 check for winning the weekly competition. An additional $111,150 prize will be presented to the over-the-wall crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. "Everyone on the Team Yellow crew works really hard and they deserve it," said pit crew coach Wayne Holden. "They've been having quality pits stops all year and were probably the fastest a lot of weeks. This week they were in a position to capitalize with a solid race run as well." The #70 crew consists of: Mike Casto (jackman), Paul Chodora (front-tire carrier), Kelly Kellis (front-tire changer), Mike Morneau (rear-tire carrier), Daniel Smith (rear-tire changer), Derrick Jennings (gasman) and Todd Walters (catch can). The team's crew chief is Robert "Bootie" Barker. Mark Martin's #01 crew and Jeff Gordon's #24 crew are currently tied for the lead in the season-long competition with four wins each. To win, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. To date, Checkers/Rally's has paid out $333,000 to Nextel Cup pit crews. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(10-12-2007)
- Earnhardt's Team Collects Pit Crew Win at Kansas: Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s #8 crew collected the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win in Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Kansas Speedway. It was the third win of the season for Earnhard't over-the-wall crew. On its way to a 10th-place finish, the Budweiser crew spent 230.576 seconds on pit road during the rain-shortened 210-lap event. The win moves Earnhardt's crew to a tie with Denny Hamlin's #11 team for second place in the season long standings. Mark Martin's #01 crew and Jeff Gordon's #24 crew are currently tied for the lead with four wins each. Checkers/Rally's will present the Dale Earnhardt Inc. team with an $11,000 check for winning the weekly competition. An additional $111,150 prize will be presented to the over-the-wall crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. The #8 crew consists of: Brian "Hootie" Chase (jackman), Shawn Ward (front-tire carrier), D.J. Copp (front-tire changer), Erik Wakeland (rear-tire carrier), Greg Burkhart (rear-tire changer), Jeff Clark (gasman), Craig Lund (catch can) and Jay Guarneri (windshield). The team's pit crew coordinator is Walt Smith. To win, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. To date, Checkers/Rally's has paid out $319,000 to Nextel Cup pit crews. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(10-5-2007)
- Mears' Team Earns Pit Crew Challenge Win at Dover: Casey Mears' #25 over-the-wall crew earned the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win in Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Dover International Speedway. By spending 315.217 seconds on pit road, the National Guard/GMAC crew took top honors in the weekly competition for the second time this season. The crew, out of the Hendrick Motorsports stable, will be presented with an $11,000 check by Checkers/Rally's for winning the weekly challenge. An additional $111,150 prize will be presented to the over-the-wall crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. Mears' #25 crew includes: Jason Hunt (jackman), Ben Fischbeck (front-tire carrier), Tony Hamm (front-tire changer), Matt Myers (rear-tire carrier), Chuck Efaw (rear-tire changer), Chris Fasulka (gasman), Chris Hamilton (catch can) and Jim Jenkins (eighth-man). The team's pit crew coach is Mark Mauldin. Mark Martin's #01 crew and Jeff Gordon's #24 crew are currently tied for the lead in the season-long Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings, with four wins each. To win, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. To date, Checkers/Rally's has paid out $308,000 to Nextel Cup pit crews. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(9-27-2007)
- Kyle Busch's Team Wins Pit Crew Challenge at New Hampshire: Kyle Busch's over-the-wall crew recorded the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win in Sunday's Nextel Cup race at New Hampshire International Speedway. Posting the least amount of time on pit road - spending only 149.142 seconds - the #5 team earned its second pit crew win of the season. The Kellogg's crew will be presented with an $11,000 check by Checkers/Rally's for winning the weekly competition. An additional $111,150 prize will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. Busch's #5 crew includes: Rick Pigeon (jackman), Jeremy "JD" Holcomb (front-tire carrier), DJ Richardson (front-tire changer), Jason Jones (rear-tire carrier), Josh Kirk (rear-tire changer), Brad Pickens (gasman), Jason Dalrymple (catch can), and Lee Deese (eighth-man). The team's pit crew coach is Mark Mauldin. To win, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. Mark Martin's #01 crew and Jeff Gordon's #24 crew are currently tied for the lead in the season-long Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings, with four wins each. To date, Checkers/Rally's has paid out $297,000 to Nextel Cup pit crews. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(9-20-2007)
- Jeff Gordon's Team Grabs Pit Crew Challenge Win at Richmond: Jeff Gordon's over-the-wall crew captured its fourth Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win of the season during Saturday night's Chevy Rock & Roll 400, moving into a tie for first place in the season-long standings. Mark Martin's #01 pit crew also has four wins. Gordon's crew, which spent 281.730 seconds on pit road at Richmond International Raceway, will be presented with an $11,000 check by Checkers/Rally's for winning the weekly competition. An additional $111,150 prize will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. Out of the Hendrick Motorsports stable, the #24 crew includes: Jeff Cook (jackman), Jamie Frady (Catch can), Clay Robinson (front-tire changer), Jeff Knight (rear-tire carrier), Mike Atwell (rear-tire changer), Caleb Hurd (gasman), Mike "Tiny" Houston (front tire carrier) and Andy Kruep (eighth-man). The crew chief is Steve Letarte. To win, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. To date, Checkers/Rally's has paid out $286,000 to Nextel Cup pit crews. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(9-13-2007)
- Earnhardt's Team Picks Up Pit Crew Challenge Win at California: Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s over-the-wall crew picked up its second Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win of the season during Sunday night's Nextel Cup event at California Speedway. On its way to a fifth-place finish, the team spent 302.234 seconds on pit road. Earnhardt's #8 team, out of the Dale Earnhardt Inc. stable, will be presented with an $11,000 check by Checkers/Rally's for winning the weekly competition. An additional $111,150 prize will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. The #8 crew includes: Brian "Hootie" Chase (jackman), Shawn Ward (front-tire carrier), D.J. Copp (front-tire changer), Erik Wakeland (rear-tire carrier), Greg Burkhart (rear-tire changer), Jeff Clark (gasman), Craig Lund (catch can) and Jay Guarneri (windshield). The team's crew chief is Tony Eury Jr. and the pit crew coordinator is Walt Smith. Mark Martin's #01 crew leads the season-long Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings with four wins. To win, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. To date, Checkers/Rally's has paid out $275,000 to Nextel Cup pit crews. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(9-6-2007)
- Bowyer's Team Snags Pit Crew Challenge Win at Bristol: Clint Bowyer's over-the-wall crew claimed the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge during Saturday night's Nextel Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway, becoming the 13th team to win the weekly competition. "I'm proud of these guys because Bristol is a hard place to pit," said Gil Martin, crew chief for the #07 Richard Childress Racing team. "We have very unusual circumstances with the double pit road and that makes everyone's job a little different than it is from week to week and these guys adapted very well. Most of all, I'm proud of them for the job they did during the green-flag stops," continued Martin. "We came in sixth and went out third after our last stop. When we needed a clutch pit stop, those guys really came through. That pit stop propelled us up to third and, obviously, it was very hard to pass at the end so a lot of credit for this top-three finish goes to them." The #07 crew, which spent 206.320 seconds on pit lane, includes: Carey Wimbish (jackman), Dail Long (front-tire carrier), Shane Westerberg (front-tire changer), Dustin Long (rear-tire carrier), Jake Lind (rear-tire changer), Mike Morrison (gasman), Clint "Ratto" Almquist (catch can) and Troy Welty (eighth man).
Bowyer's Jack Daniels crew will be presented with an $11,000 check by Checkers/Rally's for winning the weekly challenge. An additional $111,150 prize will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. The #01 crew for Mark Martin leads the season-long Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings with four wins. To win, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. To date, Checkers/Rally's has paid out $264,000 to Nextel Cup pit crews. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(8-30-2007)
- Kurt Busch's Team Wins Pit Crew Challenge in Michigan: Kurt Busch's over-the-wall crew had two reasons to celebrate when they left Michigan International Speedway Tuesday. Not only did Busch win the rained-delayed Nextel Cup event, but his #2 Penske Racing crew also took top honors in the weekly Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge.
Busch's over-the-wall crew will be presented with an $11,000 check by Checkers/Rally's for winning the weekly challenge. An additional $111,150 prize will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. The #2 crew, which spent 206.320 seconds on pit lane, includes: Ray Gallaghan (jackman), David Littau (front-tire carrier), Jay Hackney (front-tire changer), Larry Robinett (rear-tire carrier), Travis Johnson (rear-tire changer), Chris Williams (gasman), Steve Williams (catch can) and Dustin Coonfield (eighth man). The #01 crew leads the season-long Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings with four wins. To win, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. To date, Checkers/Rally's has paid out $253,000 to Nextel Cup pit crews. To win, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(8-24-2007)
- Truex's Team Tallies Pit Crew Challenge Win at Watkins Glen: Martin Truex's #1 over-the-wall crew tallied its first Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win of the season by spending the least amount of time on pit road during Sunday's road-course event at Watkins Glen International. The Bass Pro Shops team, out of the Dale Earnhardt Inc. stable, spent 87.729 seconds on pit road during the 90-lap race at the 2.45-mile track. Truex's over-the-wall crew will be presented with an $11,000 check by Checkers/Rally's for winning the weekly challenge. An additional $111,150 prize will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. The #1 crew includes: Jeff Kerr (jackman), Ryan Buscaglio (front-tire carrier), Dave Collin (front-tire changer), Mark Kennerly (rear-tire carrier), Coleman Dollarhide (rear-tire changer), Preston Cordell (gasman), Mark Purvis (catch can) and Haskell Lavalette (eighth-man). Cherry and Bob Pressley are the pit crew coaches. The crew chief is Kevin Manion. Mark Martin's/Regan Smith's #01 crew leads the season-long Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings with four wins. To date, Checkers/Rally's has paid out $242,000 to Nextel Cup pit crews. To win, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(8-24-2007)
- Newman's Team Earns Pit Crew Challenge Win at Pocono: Ryan Newman's team took top honors in the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge during Sunday's Nextel Cup event at Pocono Raceway. The Alltel team spent the least amount of time on pit road during the Pennsylvania 500 (230.512 seconds), claiming its second win of the season in the weekly competition. Checkers/Rally's will present Newman's over-the-wall crew with an $11,000 check for winning the weekly challenge. An additional $111,150 prize will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. To date, Checkers/Rally's has paid out $231,000 to Nextel Cup pit crews. The #12 crew, out of the Penske Racing stable, includes: Britt Goodrich (jackman), Scott Reiniger (front-tire carrier), Ben Brown (front-tire changer), Trent Cherry (rear-tire carrier), Joe Piette Jr. (rear-tire changer), George Whitley (gasman), Bryan White (catch can) and Michael Warren (eighth-man). Cherry and Bob Pressley are the pit crew coaches. Mark Martin's/Aric Almirola's/Regan Smith's #01 crew leads the season-long Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings with four wins. To win, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(8-8-2007)
- Sorenson's Team Collects First Pit Crew Challenge Win: Reed Sorenson's #41 crew earned its first Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win of the season during Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Starting from the pole and on its way to a fifth-place finish, the Target team spent 219.402 seconds on pit road at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, becoming the 11th team to take home pit crew challenge honors this season. Sorenson's crew will be presented with an $11,000 check by Checkers/Rally's for winning the weekly competition. An additional $111,150 prize will be presented to the pit crew team with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. The #41 Chip Ganassi Racing team consists of: Chuck White (jackman), Marty Forcier (front-tire carrier), Bobby Burrell (front-tire changer), Adam Moser (rear-tire carrier), Jason Sheet (rear-tire changer), Randy Hildreth (gasman), Eric "Pee Wee" Hoyle (catch can), and Doug Spees (eighth-man). The team is led by crew chief Jimmy Elledge and the pit crew coach is Phil Horton. Mark Martin's/Aric Almirola's #01 crew leads the season-long Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings with four wins. To date, Checkers/Rally's has paid out $220,000 to Nextel Cup pit crews To win, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(8-1-2007)
- Harvick Crew Grabs Pit Crew Challenge Win at Chicago: Kevin Harvick's over-the-wall crew grabbed the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win during Sunday's NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway. On its way to a fourth-place finish, the #29 team spent 185.512 seconds on pit road during the USG Sheetrock 400. The crew will be awarded $11,000 by Checkers/Rally's for winning the weekly competition. The #29 team consists of: Nick Terry (jackman), Josh Mick (front-tire carrier), Jason Pulver (front-tire changer), Matt Krueter (rear-tire carrier), Clint Pittman (rear-tire changer), Brian Englehart (gasman), Scott Naset (catch can), Rick Tulbert (2nd gas can) and Gene Pasquale (eighth-man). The team is led by crew chief Todd Berrier and the pit crew coach is Corrine Mauldin. Following the 19th race of the season, Mark Martin's/Regan Smith's # 01 crew leads the season-long Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings with four wins. Jeff Gordon's and Denny Hamlin's crews are second with three wins each. An $111,150 prize will be presented to the pit crew team with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. To win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(7-19-2007)
- Mears Team Captures First Pit Crew Challenge Win: Casey Mears' over-the-wall crew captured its first Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win of the season by taking top honors in Saturday night's Nextel Cup race at Daytona International Speedway. The #25 National Guard/GMAC team spent 132.049 seconds on pit lane. The crew will be awarded $11,000 by Checkers/Rally's for winning the weekly competition. Mears' crew is the 10th different team to win the pit crew competition this season.
The #25 Hendrick Motorsports team is made up of: Jason Hunt (jackman), Ben Fischbeck (front-tire carrier), Tony Hamm (front-tire changer), Matt Myers (rear-tire carrier), Chuck Efaw (rear-tire changer), Chris Fasulka (gasman), Chris Hamilton (catch can) and Jim Jenkins (eighth-man). The team's pit crew coach is Mark Mauldin.
At the halfway mark of the 2007 Nextel Cup season, Mark Martin's/Regan Smith's #01 crew leads the season-long Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings with four wins. Jeff Gordon's and Denny Hamlin's crews are second with three wins each. To date, Checkers/Rally's has paid out $198,000 to Nextel Cup pit crews. An $111,150 prize will be presented to the pit crew team with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. To win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(7-12-2007)
- Johnson's #48 Crew Wins Pit Crew Challenge in New Hampshire: Jimmie Johnson's over-the-wall crew claimed its second Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win of the season by spending the least amount of time on pit road during Sunday's Nextel Cup event. The #48 Lowe's team visited New Hampshire International Speedway's pit lane for only 175.323 seconds and will be awarded $11,000 by Checkers/Rally's for winning the weekly competition. The #48 crew, out of the Hendrick Motorsports stable, consists of: Chris Anderson (jackman), Art Simmons (front-tire carrier), Mike Trower (front-tire changer), Ron Malec (rear-tire carrier), Tim Ladyga (rear-tire changer), Rich Gutierrez (gasman), Mike Knauer (catch can) and Sean Kerlin (eighth-man). The team's pit crew coach is Matt Clark.
Mark Martin's/Regan Smith's #01 crew leads the season-long Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings with four wins. An $111,150 prize will be presented to the pit crew team with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule.
To win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(7-4-2007)
- Harvick's Team Snares Pit Crew Challenge Win at Infineon: Kevin Harvick's over-the-wall crew picked up its first Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win of the season in Sunday's Nextel Cup race in Sonoma, Calif. #29 Shell crew, which spent 106.006 seconds on Infineon Raceway's pit road, became the ninth different team of the season to earn the weekly honor. The team will be awarded $11,000 by Checkers/Rally's for winning the competition. The #29 crew, which helped boost Harvick to a runner-up finish in Sonoma, consists of: Nick Terry (jackman), Josh Mick (front-tire carrier), Jason Pulver (front-tire changer), Matt Krueter (rear-tire carrier), Clint Pittman (rear-tire changer), Brian Englehart (gasman), Scott Naset (catch can), Rick Tulbert (2nd gas can) and Gene Pasquale (eighth-man). The team is led by crew chief Todd Berrier.
Mark Martin's/Regan Smith's #01 crew leads the season-long Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings with four wins. An $111,150 prize will be presented to the pit crew team with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule.
To win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the Pit Crew Challenge. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(6-27-2007)
- Kyle Busch's Team Claims Pit Crew Challenge Win at Michigan: Kyle Busch's over-the-wall crew captured its first Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win of the season in Sunday's Nextel Cup event at Michigan International Speedway.
Spending 200.130 seconds on pit road, the Kellogg's team helped boost its driver to a sixth-place finish in the Citizens Bank 400. The team will be awarded $11,000 by Checkers/Rally's for winning the weekly competition. Busch's #5 crew, out of the Hendrick Motorsports stable, includes: Rick Pigeon (jackman), Jeremy "JD" Holcomb (front-tire carrier), DJ Richardson (front-tire changer), Jason Jones (rear-tire carrier), Josh Kirk (rear-tire changer), Brad Pickens (gasman), Jason Dalrymple (catch can), and Lee Deese (eighth-man). The team's pit crew coach is Mark Mauldin. Mark Martin's/Regan Smith's #01 crew leads the season long Double Drive-Thru standings with four wins.(DMF Communications PR)(6-21-2007)
- Jeff Gordon's Team Takes Pit Crew Challenge Win in Pocono: Jeff Gordon's #24 team scored its third Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win of the season in Sunday's rain-shortened Nextel Cup event at Pocono Raceway. The DuPont crew, which spent 117.435 seconds on pit road, helped propel its driver to his fourth Nextel Cup win of the season. The #24 crew, which will be awarded $11,000 by Checkers/Rally's for winning the weekly competition, includes: Jeff Cook (jackman), Jamie Frady (front-tire carrier), Clay Robinson (front-tire changer), Jeff Knight (rear-tire carrier), Kevin Gilman (rear-tire changer), Caleb Hurd (gasman), Dave Carriere (catch can) and Andy Kruep (eighth-man). The crew chief is Steve Letarte. The win moves Gordon's crew into a tie with Denny Hamlin's crew for second-place in the season-long Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings. Mark Martin's/Regan Smith's #01 crew leads with four wins.(DMF Communications PR)(6-14-2007)
- Newman's Team Collects Pit Crew Challenge Win in Dover: Becomes seventh team to capture Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge victory Ryan Newman's #12 team collected its first Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win of the season in Monday's rain-delayed Nextel Cup event at Dover International Speedway. The Alltel crew spent 234.014 seconds on pit road. The effort helped secure a runner-up finish for Newman in the Autism Speaks 400. Newman's crew will be awarded an $11,000 prize by Checkers/Rally's for winning the weekly competition. The #12 crew, out of the Penske Racing stable, includes: Britt Goodrich (jackman), Scott Reiniger (front-tire carrier), Ben Brown (front-tire changer), Trent Cherry (rear-tire carrier), Joe Piette Jr. (rear-tire changer), George Whitley (gasman), Bryan White (catch can) and Michael Warren (eighth-man). Cherry and Bob Pressley are the pit crew coaches. Thirteen races into the Nextel Cup season, Mark Martin's/Regan Smith's #01 pit crew leads the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings with four wins.(DMF Communications PR)(6-7-2007)
- Hamlin's Team Captures Pit Crew Challenge Win in Charlotte: Denny Hamlin's #11 over-the-wall crew claimed the weekly Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win in Sunday's Memorial Day weekend classic at Lowe's Motor Speedway. This is the team's third win and moves them in to second-place in the season-long standings. The FedEx team, which spent 423.882 seconds on pit road, helped its driver to a ninth-place finish in the Coca-Cola 600. Checkers/Rally's will award an $11,000 prize to Hamlin's over-the-wall team for winning the weekly competition. An additional $111,150 will be presented to the pit crew with the most Double Drive-Thru Challenge wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. The #11 Joe Gibbs Racing crew includes: Scott Wood (jackman), Scott Merritt (front-tire carrier), Dennis Terry (front-tire changer), Heath Cherry (rear-tire carrier), Jonathan Sherman (rear-tire changer), Brad Rothlin (gasman), John Eicher (catch can) and Bobby Christensen (eighth-man). The pit crew coordinator is Paul Alepa. Twelve races into the Nextel Cup season, Mark Martin's/Regan Smith's #01 pit crew leads the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings with four wins. To win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the pit crew challenge.(DMF Communications PR)(5-31-2007)
- Jeff Gordon's Team Wins Pit Crew Challenge in Darlington: For the second week in a row, Jeff Gordon's over-the-wall crew secured the weekly Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge by spending the least amount of time on pit road during Sunday's Nextel Cup event at Darlington Raceway. The winning effort by the #24 DuPont crew lifted Gordon to his third victory of the season. Checkers/Rally's will award an $11,000 prize to Gordon's crew for winning the weekly competition. An additional $111,150 will be presented to the pit crew with the most Double Drive-Thru Challenge wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. The #24 crew, out of the Hendrick Motorsports stable, includes: Jeff Cook (jackman), Mike "Tiny" Houston (front-tire carrier), Clay Robinson (front-tire changer), Jeff Knight (rear-tire carrier), Kevin Gilman (rear-tire changer), Caleb Hurd (gasman), Jamie Frady (catch can) and Andy Kruep (eighth-man). The crew chief is Steve Letarte. After eleven Nextel Cup races, Mark Martin's/Regan Smith's #01 pit crew leads the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings with four wins. Gordon's and Denny Hamlin's crews are tied for second with two victories each. An additional $111,150 will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. To win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the pit crew challenge. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR.(DMF Communications PR)(5-17-2007)
- Jeff Gordon's Team Takes Pit Crew Challenge Honors in Richmond: Jeff Gordon's over-the-wall crew earned its first win of the season in the weekly Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge by spending the least amount of time on pit road during Sunday's rain-delayed Nextel Cup event. The #24 crew spent 201.593 seconds on Richmond International Raceway's pit lane, and lifted its team to a fourth-place finish in the Jim Stewart 400 presented by Crown Royal. Checkers/Rally's will award an $11,000 prize to Gordon's crew for winning the weekly competition. The #24 crew, out of the Hendrick Motorsports stable, includes: Jeff Cook (jackman), Mike "Tiny" Houston (front-tire carrier), Clay Robinson (front-tire changer), Jeff Knight (rear-tire carrier), Kevin Gilman (rear-tire changer), Caleb Hurd (gasman), Jamie Frady (catch can) and Andy Kruep (eighth-man). The crew chief is Steve Letarte. After ten Nextel Cup races, Mark Martin's/Regan Smith's #01 pit crew leads in the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings with four wins. Denny Hamlin's #11 crew is second with two victories.
An additional $111,150 will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. To win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the pit crew challenge. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(5-8-2007)
- Kurt Busch's Team Collects Pit Crew Win in Talladega: #2 crew earns first Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge victory of season. Kurt Busch's over-the-wall crew became the fifth team of the season to win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge by collecting the win in Sunday's Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. The #2 crew spent 171.490 seconds on pit road, helping Busch to a solid third-place finish at the 2.66-mile oval. "The guys were certainly awesome on pit road," said Busch. "The race called for a mixture of all kinds of stops and they performed flawlessly. It was a good day all around for our Miller Lite Dodge Team. Winning the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge puts the icing on the cake for the best finish we've had this season."
Checkers/Rally's will award Busch's crew a prize of $11,000 for winning the weekly competition. Penske Racing's #2 crew includes: Ray Gallaghan (jackman), David Littau (front-tire carrier), Jay Hackney (front-tire changer), Andy Brown (rear-tire carrier), Kevin Hebert (rear-tire changer), Chris Williams (gasman), Steve Williams (catch can) and Daniel Keaton (eighth man). After nine Nextel Cup races, Mark Martin's/Regan Smith's #01 pit crew leads in the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings with four wins. Denny Hamlin's #11 crew is second with two victories. An additional $111,150 will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. To win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the pit crew challenge. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(5-3-2007)
- Hamlin's Team Captures Pit Crew Competition in Phoenix: #11-Denny Hamlin's over-the-wall crew took top honors in the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge during Saturday night's Nextel Cup event at Phoenix International Raceway. Out of the Joe Gibbs Racing stable, the #11 FedEx team spent the least amount of time on pit road (217.339 seconds), lifting its driver to a third-place finish. "The FedEx over-the-wall guys were really good tonight," said Hamlin. "They worked hard, were quick all race and certainly stepped up their game. It's frustrating not to leave Phoenix with a win after having such a good car and a good effort on pit road but the breaks just didn't go our way." The #11 crew includes: Chris Webb (jackman), Chad Edwards (front-tire carrier), Donnie Brown (front-tire changer), Heath Cherry (rear-tire carrier), Dennis Terry (rear-tire changer), Scott Wood (gasman), John Eicher (catch can), Bobby "Spike" Christenson (windshield) and John Furino (pit support). The team's crew chief is Mike Ford and the pit crew coordinator is Paul Alepa. Checkers/Rally's will award Hamlin's crew a cash prize of $11,000 for winning the weekly competition.(DMF Communications PR)(4-24-2007)
- Martin's Pit Crew Takes Top Honors in Texas: Mark Martin's #01 pit crew earned its fourth Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win of the season Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway -- lifting its team to a third-place finish in the Nextel Cup Series event. With four Double Drive-Thru Challenge victories, the U.S. Army/Ginn Racing pit crew is the only multiple winner in the first seven races of the 2007 season. "What can you say about these guys, they are just awesome," said Martin. "This is the best race team that I've ever worked with. The Army pit crew really stepped up on Sunday and help gain us some really needed track position. I love working with this team. They make coming to work really fun." Martin's over-the-wall crew includes: Scott King (jackman), Colin Pasi (front-tire carrier), Charlie Brock (front-tire changer), Dwayne Moore (rear-tire carrier), Dave Woodhead (rear-tire changer), Danny Harrington (gasman), Scotty Hazlett (catch can) and J.D. Hilton (windshield). The pit crew coach is Lance Munksgard. Checkers/Rally's awards the winning Nextel Cup pit crew each week with a cash prize of $11,000. The #01 crew has collected $44,000 in prize money for its wins this season and currently boasts a three-win lead in the standings. "It was another solid performance by the 01 Army crew," said crew chief Ryan Pemberton. "The guys are doing a fantastic job of having consistent pit stops each week and it is really showing in the team's results." To win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the pit crew challenge. An additional $111,150 will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. To win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the pit crew challenge. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(4-19-2007)
- Earnhardt's #8 Team Captures Pit Crew Challenge Victory in Martinsville: Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s over-the-wall crew grabbed the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge victory in Sunday's Nextel Cup event at Martinsville Speedway. This is the #8 crew's first win of the season in the weekly pit crew competition, which recognizes the team spending the least amount of time on pit road at each Nextel Cup event. Earnhardt's Budweiser Chevy spent 281.110 seconds on pit lane during the Goody's Cool Orange 500. "I've got a great bunch of guys and they're as good as they get on pit lane," said Earnhardt. "Everyone at DEI worked really hard to build us some great new cars, and the crew on Sunday was at their best. I lost the lead on the track, and they got it back for me on pit lane." Earnhardt added, "It's a great feeling to have that kind of confidence in your guys. It seemed like that was the easiest way for me to pass people. Come in to pit lane in fourth place, and leave in second." Each week, Checkers/Rally's awards the winning team with a cash prize of $11,000. The #8 pit crew includes: Brian "Hootie" Chase (jackman), Shawn Ward (front-tire carrier), D.J. Copp (front-tire changer), Erik Wakeland (rear-tire carrier), Greg Burkhart (rear-tire changer), Jeff Clark (gasman), Craig Lund (catch can) and Jay Guarneri (windshield). The team's crew chief is Tony Eury Jr. and the pit crew coordinator is Walt Smith.(DMF Communications PR)(4-4-2007)
- Hamlin's #11 Crew Takes Pit Crew Challenge Win in Bristol: Denny Hamlin's over-the-wall crew captured the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge in Sunday's Food City 500 Nextel Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The #11 FedEx Chevry, owned by Joe Gibbs Racing, spent the least amount of time on pit road (190.763 seconds) during the 500-lap event at the .533-mile oval. "The FedEx over-the-wall crew was great all day at Bristol. I think they picked up spots for me each time I pitted and they helped put the team in position to win," said Hamlin. "This was a total team effort and I want to thank the guys back at the shop and crew for all the work they did to get these new cars ready to race. Unfortunately, we didn't have a better end to the weekend, but with this team, I have no doubt we'll have another chance to win soon." Checkers/Rally's awards the winning Nextel Cup pit crew each week with a cash prize of $11,000. An additional $111,150 will be presented to the pit crew with the most Double Drive-Thru Challenge wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. The #11 crew includes: Chris Webb (jackman), Chad Edwards (front-tire carrier), Donnie Brown (front-tire changer), Heath Cherry (rear-tire carrier), Dennis Terry (rear-tire changer), Scott Wood (gasman), John Eicher (catch can), Bobby "Spike" Christenson (windshield) and John Furino (pit support). The team's crew chief is Mike Ford and the pit crew coordinator is Paul Alepa. To win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as the title sponsor for the pit crew challenge.(DMF Communications PR)(3-28-2007)
- Johnson's #48 Crew Earns Pit Crew Challenge Win in Atlanta: Jimmie Johnson's #48 pit crew earned its first Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win of the season by spending the least amount of time on pit road during Sunday's (March 18) Nextel Cup® race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, helping lift its driver to a victory in the Kobalt Tools 500. Johnson's over-the-wall crew is the reigning Checkers/Rally's Double-Drive Thru Challenge champion, having earned five pit crew wins in 2006. "I couldn't be more proud of our guys," said Johnson, whose team spent 323.450 seconds on pit road. "They worked hard all weekend and it showed on Sunday when their strong, consistent pit stops helped us win the race." Checkers/Rally's awards the winning Nextel Cup pit crew each week with a cash prize of $11,000. An additional $111,150 will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. The #48 Lowe's over-the-wall crew includes: Chris Anderson (jackman), Art Simmons (front-tire carrier), Mike Trower (front-tire changer), Ron Malec (rear-tire carrier), Tim Ladyga (rear-tire changer), Rich Gutierrez (gasman), Mike Knauer (catch can) and Sean Kerlin (eighth-man). The team's pit crew coach is Matt Clark and the crew chief is Chad Knaus. An additional $111,150 will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. To win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the pit crew challenge.(DMF Communications PR)(3-22-2007)
- Las Vegas Pit Crew Win Extends Streak: Mark Martin's pit crew grabbed its third consecutive win of the season in the Checkers / Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge by taking top honors in Sunday's (March 11) Nextel Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The #01 U.S. Army crew also claimed wins in the first two races of 2007 - at Daytona and California. "Wow, those guys are just awesome on pit road," said driver Mark Martin, who leads the Nextel Cup driver point standings with three straight top-five finishes. "The U.S. Army crew has really been a big part of our success so far this season. If they can keep that up, I hope I can help get them to Victory Lane really soon." "The Army over-the-wall crew has played a vital role in our success," added #01 crew chief Ryan Pemberton. "Lance (Munksgard, pit crew coach) has done an outstanding job with all of the Ginn Racing teams. It is great to see Checkers/Rally's reward and recognize the pit crews for their excellent performances." The #01 over-the-wall crew, which spent 322.066 seconds on pit road in Las Vegas, includes: Scott King (jackman), Colin Pasi (front-tire carrier), Charlie Brock (front-tire changer), Dwayne Moore (rear-tire carrier), Dave Woodhead (rear-tire changer), Danny Harrington (gasman), Scotty Hazlett (catch can) and J.D. Hilton (windshield).
Checkers/Rally's awards the winning Nextel Cup team each week with a cash prize of $11,150. An additional $111,150 will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. To win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally's is in its third season as title sponsor for the pit crew challenge.(DMF Communications PR)(3-13-2007)
- Martin's Team Wins Pit Crew Competition in California: Mark Martin's pit crew took top honors in the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge following Sunday's (Feb. 25) Nextel Cup Series race at California Speedway. The #01 Army crew secured their second consecutive win this season, taking an early lead in the competition. "I don't know what you can say about these guys, except that they are awesome to work with," said Martin, driver of the #01 U.S. Army Chevy. "The Army crew keeps coming through with fast stops when we need them. They did a good job all day and got me to the checkered flag with a top-five finish. It was another great team effort." Pit crew coach Lance Munksgard added, "I'm so proud that Checkers/Rally's is recognizing our crew for all their effort. They've worked hard to become one of the fastest teams on pit road and I think winning two-in-a-row this season proves that they are." Checkers/Rally's will award Martin's team $11,150 for winning the weekly award. An additional $111,150 will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. The #01 over-the-wall crew, which spent 297.758 seconds on pit road, includes: Scott King (jackman), Colin Pasi (front-tire carrier), Charlie Brock (front-tire changer), Dwayne Moore (rear-tire carrier), Dave Woodhead (rear-tire changer), Danny Harrington (gasman), Scotty Hazlett (catch can) and J.D. Hilton (windshield). The team's crew chief is Ryan Pemberton. To win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. The program pays $11,000 to the weekly winner. An additional $111,150 bonus will be awarded to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(2-28-2007)
- Martin's Team Captures Pit Crew Challenge Win in Daytona: Mark Martin's #01 pit crew earned the Checkers / Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win in the Nextel Cup Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway, helping boost the U.S. Army driver to a runner-up finish in Sunday's Daytona 500. This is the second consecutive pit crew challenge win for the Army crew, which claimed top honors in the 2006 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway "I just can't say enough about the work of our pit crew," offered Martin, whose team spent 216.620 seconds on pit road during Sunday's event. "Those guys were Army Strong in the pits and helped give me my best shot ever at winning the Daytona 500." Martin continued, "They put us out in the lead when we needed it and I feel terrible that I wasn't able to hold on. Those guys really stepped up to the plate when the pressure was at its greatest and they delivered like champions do." The #01 over-the-wall crew consists of: Scott King (jackman), Colin Pasi (front-tire carrier), Charlie Brock (front-tire changer), Dwayne Moore (rear-tire carrier), Dave Woodhead (rear-tire changer), Danny Harrington (gasman), Scott Hazlett (catch can) and Troy Welty (windshield). The pit crew coach is Lance Munksgard. To win the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. The program pays $11,000 to the weekly winner. An additional $111,150 bonus will be awarded to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com. The Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge is in its second season with the Nextel Cup Series.(DMF Communications PR)(2-21-2007)
- Checkers/Rally's back to support pit crews: Checkers/Rally's, the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, announced that it is continuing its popular Double Drive-Thru Challenge program that recognizes and rewards pit crew members in all three of NASCAR’s top series. The 2007 NASCAR season marks Checkers/Rally’s third consecutive year as the primary sponsor of the year-long pit crew competition. The Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge kicks off this weekend with three races scheduled at Daytona International Speedway. The Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge prize money has increased to $11,000 per race for the winning Nextel Cup pit crew. An additional $111,150 bonus will be awarded to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule. The program will also pay out a combined total of $157,500 in the Busch and Truck Series. During the 2006 season, 15 different teams picked up Double Drive-Thru Challenge wins in the Nextel Cup Series, with the championship going to Jimmie Johnson’s #48 pit crew, which collected five victories and winnings of $157,500. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications)(2-14-2007)
Nextel Pit Crew Challenge
- #12 Alltell Dodge Takes Nextel Pit Crew Championship: The #12 Alltel Dodge team led by crew chief Mike Nelson won the third annual Nextel Pit-Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman in a thrilling all-Dodge final. The team edged the #43 Cheerios Dodge team led by Paul Andrews by .33 seconds to grab the championship and the $70,300 prize. It looked like the #12 team would falter in the finals when jack man Britt Goodrich had trouble lifting the second side of the car and was late getting to the car for the final push. The #43 crew had their Dodge rolling first, but was unable to hold off the hard-charging #12 team. The Alltell Dodge team finished the competition in impressive fashion. The team was assessed a five second penalty in the first round for excessive fuel spillage but was flawless afterwards. In each of the final four rounds, the #12 team posted the top time. The team had been successful in the previous two events as well, making the quarterfinal round in 2006 and the semifinal round in 2005. The crew of the #1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, the defending champions, were knocked out of the competition in the first round. The team beat the #07 Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet team to the finish line, but was penalized three seconds for having a loose lug nut. The #9 UAW/Dodge Dealers Dodge team was also eliminated in the first round. The team won the inaugural competition in 2005 and finished second last year. Jeff Patterson and Brian Larson – the gasman and catch can man for the #20 Home Depot Chevrolet – won the individual competition for the second consecutive season to win $10,000 each. They were the only individuals to repeat as champions.
Team champion: #12 Alltell Dodge
Crew chief - Mike Nelson
Front Tire Changer - Ben Brown
Front Tire Carrier - Scott Reiniger
Rear Tire Changer - Joe Piette Jr.
Rear Tire Carrier - Trent Cherry
Gas man - George Whitley
Catch can - Brian White
Jack man - Britt Goodrich
Individual Champions:
Jack man – Mitch Lash (#44 UPS Toyota) – 5.94 seconds **
Gas man/Catch Can – Jeff Patterson/Brian Larson (#20 Home Depot Chevrolet) – 10.92 seconds
Front Tire Changer/Carrier – Nick O’Dell/Jason Gay (#9 UAW/Dodge Dealers Dodge) – 15.18 seconds
Rear Tire Changer/Carrier – Daniel Rankin/Bryan Rockwell (#43 Cheerios Dodge) – 13.85 **
** New individual record.(NASCAR PR)(5-17-2007)
- Twenty-four Nextel Cup Series pit crews to compete Wednesday: Far more than mere prelude, the third annual Nextel Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman shines a worthy spotlight on some of the Nextel Cup Series’ most important participants – team crew members. On Wednesday, May 16, 24 pit crews will battle for team and individual position titles at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. It’s the third consecutive pit crew competition, which spotlights often-unsung personnel. This year, crews’ work will play a role in Saturday night’s 23rd annual Nextel Cup All-Star Challenge at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Teams will pick their pits for the event based on the finishing order of Wednesday’s Challenge. A quick reminder: Seven team members are allowed “over the wall” to service a car on pit road. On Wednesday, this year’s 24 eligible pit crews will compete for a grand prize of $70,300. Each individual position champion will receive a $10,000 prize. Martin Truex Jr.’s #1 Bass Pro Shops Chevy pit crew is the defending champion. This year’s Nextel Pit Crew Challenge features two significant format changes – the addition of a seeding round and a “call-out” round.
Following is the order of competition:
* Seeding round: New this year, all participating teams are seeded based on the series’ car owner standings as of May 13. The top eight teams receive a bye into the second round. They also will compete in the seeding round to determine their ranking for the rest of the competition, with the top seed posting the fastest overall time. Thus, the top seed could receive a lower seed, and vice-versa.
* Round One: Teams seeded #9-24 – again, according to series car owner standings – compete here. They also retain their seeding for the rest of competition. The fastest front-tire carrier, front-tire changer, rear-tire changer, rear-tire carrier, jack man, gas man and catch-can man in both seeding- and first-round competition will win individual titles.
* Round Two: The eight teams who prevailed in round-one competition advance here, where they’ll face the top eight-seeded teams. Eight teams advance to the next round.
* Round Three: This is the Nextel “call-out” round, the second new facet of competition. The highest remaining seeded team begins by selecting – or “calling out” – its choice of opponent. The next highest-seeded remaining team then “calls out” its opponent, and so on. All eight teams compete once in this round.
* Round Four: The final four teams advance here, with two winners advancing.
* Championship Round: The winning team is crowned the 2007 champion.
The Lineup …
Eligible pit crews include those from teams qualified for the 2007 Nextel All-Star Challenge – all 2006 event winners and any additional winners through May 13, 2007. Also eligible are winners of former Nextel Pit Crew Challenges (Martin Truex Jr.’s team), former series champions from the past 10 years and former Nextel Cup All-Star Challenge champions from the past 10 years.
Any remaining positions go to the highest-ranked teams in the car owner standings who aren’t otherwise eligible for Saturday’s all-star event. This year, those are the pit crews for Clint Bowyer (#07 Jack Daniel’s Chevy), Carl Edwards (#99 Office Depot Ford), Jamie McMurray (#26 Crown Royal Ford), Elliott Sadler (#19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge) and J.J. Yeley (#18 Interstate Batteries Chevy).
Eligible pit crews from 2006 and to-date ‘07 event-winning teams include those of Greg Biffle (#16 National Guard Ford), Jeff Burton (#31 Cingular Wireless Chevy), Kurt Busch (#2 Miller Lite Ford), Kyle Busch (#5 Kellogg’s/CARQUEST Chevy), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (#8 Budweiser Chevy), Jeff Gordon (#24 DuPont Chevy), Denny Hamlin (#11 FedEx Chevy), Kevin Harvick (#29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevy), Kasey Kahne (#9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge), Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson (#48 Lowe’s Chevy), Casey Mears (#25 National Guard/GMAC Chevolet), Tony Stewart (#20 Home Depot Chevy) and Brian Vickers (#83 Red Bull Toyota).
Other eligible pit crews are those from the teams of 1999 series champion Dale Jarrett (#44 UPS Toyota), 2000 series champion Bobby Labonte (#43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge), 2002 Nextel All-Star Challenge winner Ryan Newman (#12 Alltel Dodge), and 2005 Nextel All-Star Challenge winner Mark Martin (#01 U.S. Army Chevy).
Fast Facts
What: Nextel Pit Crew Challenge Presented by Craftsman.
Where: Charlotte Bobcats Arena, Charlotte, N.C.
How: Tickets are $15; all seats are general admission.
Prize Money: $70,300 to the winning team; $10,000 to each pit-crew position champion.
When: Wednesday, May 16.
Time: 7pm/et
(5-15-2007)
- Checkers/Rally's to Sponsor Skill Element in the Pit Crew Challenge: Checkers/Rally's will sponsor the rear-tire changer and rear-tire carrier pit box as part of the individual skill element that will take place in the Nextel Pit Crew Challenge, May 16 in Charlotte at the Bobcats Arena. In the Checkers/Rally's pit box, tire changers and tire carriers will work together to simulate race-day conditions by replacing the rear tires. Competitors will use their own air guns, and a five-second penalty will be assessed for any lug nuts not passing a 20-pound torque test. Checkers/Rally's is currently in its third season of sponsoring the Double Drive-Thru Challenge, a weekly pit crew competition in NASCAR's three professional series -- Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck. The Nextel Pit Crew Challenge, which will be broadcast on SPEED, will consist of 24 Nextel Cup teams. The competition is a prelude to the May 19th Nextel All-Star Challenge race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.(Checkers/Rally’s/DMF Communications PR)(5-8-2007)
- Nextel Pit Crew Challenge Tix on Sale: Tickets for the 2007 Nextel Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman, featuring competition between the top 24 pit crews in the Nextel Cup Series, will go on sale Thursday, March 15. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased online at www.pitcrewchallenge.com or by calling the Charlotte Bobcats ticket office at (800) 495-2295. The Nextel Pit Crew Challenge is set for Wednesday, May 16 at 7 p.m. at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena. The competition is a signature lead-in event to the Nextel All-Star Challenge Saturday, May 19 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
Here’s a look at this year’s format:
• Competing teams will be seeded based on Nextel Cup car owner point standings as of May 13. Seeds 1-8 will participate in a seeding round to determine their ranking throughout the competition. Additionally, the top eight seeds will receive an automatic bye into the second round of competition.
• The seeding round will award the overall quickest team with the top overall seed. The remaining teams will be seeded 2-8 in order of their final times, quickest to slowest, respectively. Remaining eligible teams will be ranked in order of Nextel Cup owner point standings as seeds 9-24 and will compete in a head-to-head format in the first round of competition. Teams maintain their seeding throughout the competition.
• The fastest crew member in each respective discipline during the seeding round and first round will be crowned individual champions. Individual championships will be awarded for front-tire changer and carrier, rear-tire changer and carrier, jackman, gasman and catch-can man. Each individual champion will receive a $10,000 cash prize.
• Round Two will see the eight winning teams from Round One advance to face the teams seeded 1-8 in head-to-head competition. The eight heat winners advance to Round Three.
• Round Three, the Nextel call-out round, will see the highest-seeded remaining team have the opportunity to select its opponent from remaining teams in competition. For example, if the #1-seeded team advances to Round Three, it will have a chance to pick any opponent from the remaining competitors for a head-to-head competition. The selection process will continue with the next-highest remaining team selecting its opponent. Each team will compete one time in Round Three. Four heat winners will advance to Round Four.
The winning teams from Round Three compete head-to-head in Round Four with the winners advancing to the championship round. The winning team will be crowned the 2007 Nextel Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman champions. The event will be broadcast on SPEED Saturday, May 19, with coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m.(NASCAR PR)(3-16-2007)
2007 Freightliner Run Smart Hauler Challenge
- #2 Hauler driver wins Hauler Challenge: Congratulations to Miller Lite Dodge Team's chief transport driver Bill "Stump" Lewis for coming home the winner in this year's Freightliner Run Smart Hauler Challenge. The final stage of the contest was held last Saturday morning at Lowe's Motor Speedway, with "Stump" placing first and taking the $35,000 grand prize. "Stump" and wife, Cindy, share the truck-driving duties for the #2 Penske Racing Dodge Team. "I am extremely proud of this award and thrilled to have brought the honor to our Penske Racing Miller Lite Dodge Team," said "Stump," now a two-time winner of the annual NASCAR truck-driving contest. "As for that $35 grand, I think Cindy already has it spent on some construction work we are getting done at our house." The couple is celebrating winning the award this week at the annual "Biketoberfest" in Daytona Beach.(TRPR)(10-18-2007)
2007 Clevite Engine Builder Showdown
- Pro Motors wins Engine Builder Showdown: The 2007 MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder Showdown [in May] proved to be one of the most competitive and exciting Showdown since its debut in 2000. A record 19 teams from 10 of the best known NASCAR engine shops registered to take part in the competition. The Engine builder Showdown is a tiered four-round competition for professional engine builders who assemble special performance engines for NASCAR teams. Participating teams - two engine builders per team - vie to build and successfully run a Nextel Cup 357-cubic-inch Ford Engine in the shortest time possible. Winners of the 2007 Showdown, the Pro Motor Engines' team of Dennis Borem and Darrell Hoffman, were runners up in the 2006 Showdown. In the 2007 final round, they broke the all-time Showdown record with an engine-build time of 16 minutes and 25 seconds with no penalties. Borem and Hoffman went head-to-head with Kevin Webber and Scott Vester, of Hendrick Motorsports, who finished in second place with a build time of 17 minutes and 47 seconds with no penalties. More info at www.engineparts.com.(6-18-2007)
- Engine Builder showdown at NTI on May 23rd: Preparations are in full swing for the Seventh Annual Clevite Engine Builder Showdown. The finals for this year are scheduled for May 23rd at the NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, N.C. The Showdown pits NASCAR’s top engine builders in a race to build and successfully run a Nextel Cup 357-cubic inch Ford engine in the shortest time possible. Through a process of three rounds of preliminary and semi-final eliminations, the competition culminates in a final showdown between the two fastest teams. The winning team receives the prestigious Randy Dorton Memorial Trophy in addition to a cash prize of $26,000. The runners-up receive $9,000. Overall, the competition awards a total prize package of over $50,000. More info at www.engineparts.com.(5-8-2007)
WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Race
- Mike Ford wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year: WypAll Wipers announced that Mike Ford, crew chief for the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing team, as the 2007 WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. The WypAll Wipers Crew Chief Challenge has been a season-long contest set out to determine the best crew chiefs in the garage. At the conclusion of each NASCAR race, a panel of judges decided which crew chief did an outstanding job throughout the course of the weekend based on their strategic planning and race day calls. While, it wasn't necessarily the crew chief that made it into victory lane, it was always the crew chief that made the biggest difference to his team. The crew chief with the most weekly wins received top honors as the WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. The challenge spotlights the crew chief's performance and efforts to get his team into victory lane. Mike Ford earned Crew Chief of the Race accolades at five races this season, narrowly edging out Bob Osborne, crew chief of the #99 Office Depot team and Chad Knaus, crew chief of the #48 Lowe’s team, each with four wins. The 2006 Crew Chief of the Year champion and WypAll Wipers spokesmen, Robbie Reiser, recognized the efforts of Ford and all crew chiefs in the
Nextel Cup garage. On winning the 2007 WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Year, Ford was presented with a check for $20,000. “There is no doubt that Mike Ford is responsible for much of the success with the #11 FedEx Chevy,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. “From the first time he and Denny Hamlin worked together they clicked. Mike is an
important part of our team at Joe Gibbs Racing and more than that, a first class person.”(WypAll Wipers PR)(11-20-2007)
- Erwin Battles to the End and Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Working tirelessly throughout the 312 laps of the Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil, Greg Erwin, #16 Dish Network Ford, showed why crew chiefs really do earn their keep. Erwin knew of the passing difficulties that all drivers have experienced with the Car of Tomorrow throughout the 2007 season. To compensate the passing problems, Erwin’s race strategy at Phoenix International Raceway would revolve around track position to give his driver, Greg Biffle, a chance at a solid finish. However, track position was not all Erwin ended up battling with, as the #16 Ford was also experiencing handling problems throughout the race. To his credit, Erwin soldiered through the problems and masterminded a path to the front for Biffle to give him a shot at a high placed finish. As the checkered flag waved, the team picked up their fifth top five win of the season after Biffle crossed the finish line in second place. For his hard work and never quit attitude, Erwin was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of judges, including a member of the local media, Robbie Reiser, Kenny Francis and a Wypall Wipers spokesmen, all agreed Erwin was a stand out in Phoenix and was a deserving winner. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Erwin received $1,000. Mike Ford is the current leader in the overall standings with five wins. Bob Osborne and Chad Knaus are currently second with fours wins. Robbie Reiser and Steve Letarte are third with three wins each, while Tony Eury Jr., Jimmy Elledge, Larry Carter and Donnie Wingo all have two wins apiece. Greg Erwin, Pat Tryson, Tony Gibson, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin and Ryan Pemberton each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(11-13-2007)
- Knaus’ Call Makes the Difference: Chad Knaus and the #48 Lowe’s/Kobalt Tools team arrived at Texas Motor Speedway on the wave of momentum. Two consecutive victories had placed the Hendrick Motorsports team only nine points behind the leader in the driver championship. For Sunday’s running of the Dickies 500, the team did not let up. Knaus and his driver, Jimmie Johnson, proved once again why they are considered one of the formidable partnerships in the garage, driving away from Texas clinching their ninth win of the season. For Knaus, it was a demonstration of strategic planning and racing knowledge as the #48 crew chief made a late race call that differed from the teams around him, eventually earning their well-deserved victory. For this outstanding effort, Knaus was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of judges, including a member of the local media, Robbie Reiser, Kenny Francis and a Wypall Wipers spokesmen, all agreed Knaus was the deserving winner. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Knaus received $1,000. Mike Ford is the current leader in the overall standings with five wins. Bob Osborne and Chad Knaus are currently second with fours wins. Robbie Reiser and Steve Letarte are third with three wins each, while Tony Eury Jr., Jimmy Elledge, Larry Carter and Donnie Wingo all have two wins apiece. Pat Tryson, Tony Gibson, Mike Nelson, Darian
Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin and Ryan Pemberton each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(11-6-2007)
- Elledge Shows up Championship Contenders and Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race at AMS: With the spotlight focused on the 12 drivers fighting for a Nextel Cup Championship, most would be excused for neglecting the 31 other cars battling it out in their own right. Heading to the Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Pep Boys Auto 500, Jimmy Elledge and the #41 Target / Breast Cancer Awareness team, were looking to impress and to improve on their top 10 finish from the season’s first race at the 1.5 mile track. Being the home track of team driver Reed Sorenson also gave more reason for the team to shoot for a good performance. Elledge and his team did not disappoint, fighting for 329 laps and avoiding various on-track dilemmas. Throughout the race, Elledge was able to plot a calculated path for Sorenson, which included various well-timed strategic calls, to finish the afternoon at Atlanta with a top five finish. For his calculated display and strategic call strategy, Elledge was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of judges including a member of the local media, Robbie Reiser, Kenny Francis and a Wypall Wipers spokesmen, recognized Elledge’s race day performance. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race winner, Elledge received $1,000. Mike Ford stands alone on top of the overall standing with five wins. Bob Osborne is currently second with fours wins. Robbie Reiser, Steve Letarte and Chad Knaus are third with three wins each, while Tony Eury Jr., Jimmy Elledge, Larry Carter and Donnie Wingo have two wins apiece. Pat Tryson, Tony Gibson, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin and Ryan Pemberton each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins
will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(11-1-2007)
- Patience Pays at the “Paperclip.” Martinsville Speedway, referred to by many as the “Paperclip” for it’s unique shape, was a wreck-fest to say the least during the running of the Subway 500. Stop seven of the chase for the Nextel Cup saw beaten and battered cars battle it out for track position. Through the mayhem, Mike Ford, crew chief for the #11 FedEx Freight Chevrolet team, played out a patient race strategy, waiting for the prime opportunity to strike. When the opportunity came, Ford lead his young driver, Denny Hamlin, through a calculated race strategy, gaining valuable track position when it counted, guiding Hamlin to a deserving sixth place finish. For his patient strategy and calculated race calls, Ford was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. The Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year panel of judges recognized Ford’s patient strategy in Martinsville. Robbie Reiser, Wypall Wipers spokesmen, agreed Ford’s day was deserving for him to be awarded the crew chief of the race. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Ford received $1,000. Ford stands alone on top of the overall standing with five wins. Bob Osborne is currently second with fours wins. Robbie Reiser, Steve Letarte and Chad Knaus are third with three wins each, while Tony Eury Jr., Larry Carter and Donnie Wingo all have two wins apiece. Pat Tryson, Jimmy Elledge, Tony Gibson, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin and Ryan Pemberton each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(10-23-2007)
- Letarte’s Strategy Sticks and Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Steve Letarte and the #24 Dupont Chevrolet crew, headed to Lowe’s Motor Speedway with clear direction and strategy. Letarte’s plan was to keep his driver, Jeff Gordon, at the front of the pack to avoid any possible incident. Starting fourth on the grid for the Bank of America 500 enabled Letarte and Gordon to stay with front-runners as planned from the green flag. As other championship contenders changed strategy mid-race in an effort to catch leaders, Letarte and Gordon held strong. Taking the lead in the closing stages of the race, Gordon was able to hold off several late chargers and take the checkered flag for the team’s sixth win of the season. For his calm and precise race strategy Letarte was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of judges including a member of the local media, Robbie Reiser, Kenny Francis and a Wypall Wipers spokesmen, all agreed Letarte’s strategy was deserving for him to be awarded the crew chief of the race winner. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Letarte received $1,000. Mike Ford and Bob Osborne are currently tied for first in the overall standings with fours wins. Robbie Reiser, Steve Letarte and Chad Knaus are second with three wins each, while Tony Eury Jr., Larry Carter and Donnie Wingo are all tied for third, with two wins apiece. Pat Tryson, Jimmy Elledge, Tony Gibson, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin and Ryan Pemberton each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(10-17-2007)
- Patient Letarte Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Patience was the word of the day for crew chief Stave Letarte and the #24 Pepsi/DuPont Chevrolet team during the running of the UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. While most of the field jostled at the front, providing 42 lead changes during the 188 lap race, Letarte kept his
driver, Jeff Gordon, at the back of the pack turning the laps as the race ran down. Throughout the race, Gordon and Letarte kept to their strategy, only hindered by a penalty on lap 140. Gordon was requested by NASCAR to make a pit road pass through after an equipment violation during a circulation of yellow flag pit stops. The penalty was served and Letarte kept Gordon and his crew calm, knowing there was still plenty of time remaining. As the final laps were run Gordon shuffled to the front. It was not until the white flag that Gordon lead his first lap of the day keeping up front to take the checkered flag. For his patient strategy and cool head, Letarte was awarded the Wypall Wipers crew chief of the race. A panel of judges including a member of the local media, Robbie Reiser, Kenny Francis and a Wypall Wipers spokesmen, all agreed Letarte was a deserving crew chief of the race winner. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Letarte received $1,000. Mike Ford and Bob Osborne are currently tied for first in the overall standings with fours wins. Robbie Reiser and Knaus are second with three wins each, while Steve Letarte, Tony Eury Jr., Larry Carter and Donnie Wingo are all tied for third, with two wins apiece. Pat Tryson, Jimmy Elledge, Tony Gibson, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin and Ryan Pemberton each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive
$20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(10-12-2007)
- Knaus Stays Calm During Kaos in Kansas: Through the mayhem of rain delays, a race shortened from 267 to 210 laps and wrecking cars, Chad Knaus, crew chief for the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet team, avoided all prevailing problems to snare a top-five finish in the LifeLock 400 at Kansas Speedway. For Knaus and driver, Jimmie Johnson, the day would
begin with adversity, having to start the race from the rear of the field in a backup car. However, the duo did not allow Mother Nature, their back of the pack start nor the multiple pile ups occurring around them to dampen their day. For his calm under the storm and race day come from behind finish, Knaus was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race.
A panel of judges including a member of the local media, Robbie Reiser, Kenny Francis and a Wypall Wipers spokesmen, all agreed Knaus’ effort stood out. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Knaus received $1,000. Mike Ford and Osborne are currently tied for first in the overall standings with fours wins. Robbie Reiser and Knaus are second with three wins each, while Tony Eury Jr., Larry Carter and Donnie Wingo are all tied for third, with two wins apiece. Pat Tryson, Jimmy Elledge, Tony Gibson, Steve Letarte, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin and Ryan Pemberton each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(10-5-2007)
- A Monster Win at the Monster Mile: Race number two of ten for the Nextel Cup Championship chase on the concrete mile at Dover International Speedway, kept crew chiefs battling down to the checked flag. Amidst the record 13 cautions and a lot of bent metal, crew chief Bob Osborne and the #99 Office Depot team emerged victorious
earning a hard fought crucial win and gaining valuable points in the race for the cup. For his tactical race planning and mid race decisions, Osborne was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. Wypall Wipers spokesmen Robbie Reiser with a panel of voters selected Bob Osborne as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the race. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Osborne received $1,000. Mike Ford and Osborne are currently tied for first in the overall standings with fours wins. Robbie Reiser is second with three wins each, while Tony Eury Jr., Larry Carter, Donnie Wingo, and Chad Knaus are all tied for third, with two wins apiece. Pat Tryson, Jimmy Elledge, Tony Gibson, Steve Letarte, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin and Ryan Pemberton each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(9-27-2007)
- Osborne Bounces Back and Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race at NHIS: Bob Osborne, crew chief of the #99 Office Depot Ford, faced many obstacles during the weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway. The pressure that the Roush / Fenway Racing team was under, racing for the Nextel Cup, was magnified after an accident in the first practice session had the #99 Ford into the wall. Osborne was immediately working overtime to have his backup car ready for his driver, Carl Edwards, to qualify for the Sylvania 300. The two-lap qualifying run was good enough to put the #99 Ford 11th on the starting grid, however, after the second day of practice was a wash out, Osborne would be heading into
the 300-lap race with no practice. Despite the adversities, Osborne bounced back, working with his crew to produce a creditable performance in New Hampshire. For his amazing efforts and pressure filled decision-making, Osborne was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. The Wypall Wipers panel of voters, a member of the local media,
Kenny Francis, Tony Eury Jr., Robbie Reiser and a Wypall Wipers representative, were able to identify the tough weekend that Osborne faced in Loudon. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Osborne received $1,000. Mike Ford is currently first in the overall standings with fours wins. Robbie Reiser and Bob Osborne are second with three wins
each, while Tony Eury Jr., Larry Carter, Donnie Wingo, and Chad Knaus are all tied for third, with two wins apiece. Pat Tryson, Jimmy Elledge, Tony Gibson, Steve Letarte, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin and Ryan Pemberton each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(9-20-2007)
- Big Three in Richmond: The #11 FedEx Express Chevy team had a lot to celebrate at Richmond International Raceway. They finished 6th in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400, locked in third place for the Nextel Cup Chase and crew chief Mike Ford won the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award. Ford once again displayed his calmness under pressure, after a pit road incident jolted the team’s run to a high placed finished. A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Kenny Francis, Tony Eury Jr., Robbie Reiser and a Wypall Wipers representative, were unanimous in selecting Ford as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. With four wins this season, Ford is now the clear leader in the
overall standings for the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. Robbie Reiser is second, while Tony Eury Jr., Larry Carter, Bob Osborne, Donnie Wingo, and Chad Knaus are all tied for third, with two wins apiece. Pat Tryson, Jimmy Elledge, Tony Gibson, Steve Letarte, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin and Ryan Pemberton each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(9-13-2007)
- Two in a row, Osborne takes the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race at Calif: After the Sharp AQUOS 500 at California Speedway, the #99 Office Depot team really does have something to flip about. After another top five finish, their crew chief, Bob Osborne, was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race for the second week in a row.
After winning last week on the half-mile track at Bristol, Osborne changed focus for the three-wide racing at California Speedway where numerous wrecks, lead changes, and cautions dominated the race. Carl Edwards brought the #99 Ford to the front, finishing second to Jimmie Johnson, clinching the honors for Osborne. A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Kenny Francis, Tony Eury Jr., Robbie Reiser and a Wypall Wipers representative, were unanimous in selecting Osborne as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. Osborne received $1,000 and earning his second crew chief of the race award puts him second in the overall standings. Mike Ford and Robbie Reiser are currently tied for first, while Tony Eury Jr., Larry Carter, Bob Osborne, Donnie Wingo, and Chad Knaus are all tied for second, with two wins. Pat Tryson, Jimmy Elledge, Tony Gibson, Steve Letarte, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin and Ryan Pemberton each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(9-6-2007)
- Winning BIG at Bristol, Osborne takes the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Bristol Motor Speedway is a “racer’s track,” says Bruton Smith, Chairman of SMI. That is why more than 160,000 fans turned out to see the race under the lights. Carl Edwards thinks, “Bristol demands more from the car and driver than any other track on the NASCAR circuit.” Edwards’ crew chief, Bob Osborne, won the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award for putting the #99 car out front and in Victory Lane. Kasey Kahne started the race from the pole position, dominating the first half of the race, clinching the most laps lead, but the #99 team waited to make their move. On lap 372 Edwards took the lead and drove the car flawlessly, straight into victory lane. The media hype around Bristol and the new track surface promised exciting side-by-side racing and the fans got exactly that. Bob Osborne had not won the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award this 2007 season. The entire Roush/Fenway team was celebrating in Victory Lane when the Wypall Wipers award was given. The crew cheered when their crew chief was honored and “that made my day,” stated Osborne. The Wypall Wipers Crew Chief award recognizes one deserving crew chief each race and awards a check for $1,000 and a chance at the 2007 Crew Chief of the year title. With that honor comes a check for $20,000 and bragging rights for a year among the very competitive crew chief community. A panel of voters including a member of the local media, Tony Eury Jr. and a Wypall Wipers representative agreed that Bob Osborne deserved the win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(8-30-2007)
- Tryson Turns it up and takes the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: With the extended two day rain delay for the running of the 3M Performance 400 at Michigan
International Speedway, crew chiefs were required to wait patiently, recalculating and planning their strategies for the all important 400 mile race. For the #2 MillerLite Dodge crew chief, Pat Tryson, it was more than planning for the possibility of a rain affected shortened race, varying track conditions or a complete 200-lap event. Tryson needed to plan a race strategy, as well as, a points strategy, as his Penske Racing team sat 12th in the points standings, just inside the cut-off for the chase. His various strategies paid off, as a call to his driver, Kurt Busch, on lap 177 during the second last caution of the race to stay out and not pit, maintained his leader’s position, keeping Busch up front for the remainder of the race. For his calculated race strategy and race day calls, Tryson was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Kenny Francis, Tony Eury Jr., Robbie Reiser and a Wypall Wipers representative, were unanimous in selecting Tryson as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Tryson received $1,000. Earning his first crew chief of the race award puts Tryson third in the overall standings. Mike Ford and Robbie Reiser are currently tied for first, while Tony Eury Jr., Larry Carter, Donnie Wingo, and Chad Knaus are all tied for second, with two wins. Pat Tryson, Jimmy Elledge, Tony Gibson, Steve Letarte, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin and Ryan Pemberton each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(8-24-2007)
- Ford Leads Team and Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Conservation was the theme of the day at Watkins Glen International for crew chief, Mike Ford,
and the #11 FedEx Ground Chevrolet team. Prior to the running of the Centurion Boats at the Glen, Ford developed a strategy with his young driver, Denny Hamlin, focused on maintaining their Chevrolet’s brakes while obtaining the best fuel economy possible; two critical factors that could put them in good stead for a high placed finish. Knowing that his driver was not an experienced road course racer, Ford was able to coach Hamlin to a well planned second place finish, the team’s ninth top five of the season. For his well-executed race
strategy and teamwork with Hamlin, Ford was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chef of the Race. A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Kenny Francis, Tony Eury Jr., Robbie Reiser and a Wypall Wipers representative, agreed Ford’s race strategy gave him just the edge he needed to be awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Ford received $1,000. Earning his third crew chief of the race award puts Ford tied for first in the overall standings with Robbie Reiser. Tony Eury Jr., Larry Carter, Donnie Wingo, and Chad Knaus are tied for second, each with two wins. Jimmy Elledge, Tony Gibson, Steve Letarte, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin and Ryan Pemberton each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(8-13-2007)
- Mid-Race Move Earns Eury Jr. the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Crew Chief Tony Eury Jr. and the #8 Budweiser Chevy team were sitting pretty for the
start of the Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway. They were starting from the pole and were primed for a solid run in the Pennsylvania 500, hoping to solidify their place in the top 12, the cut off for the Chase for the Nextel Cup. Eury Jr., however, was working overtime once the green flag waved, as his driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., was battling a tight race car that was not getting better, slowly dropping him further down the leader board. Eury Jr. kept a cool head and during a mid-race caution, elected to change the Chevrolet’s shocks. The mechanical alterations, as well as effective pit strategy, brought the #8 team back from 26th position, to finish the race with a crucial top five. For his gutsy mid-race decision and highly successful pit strategy, Eury Jr. was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Kenny Francis, Robbie Reiser and a Wypall Wipers representative, agreed Eury Jr’s. mid-race tactics deserved for him to be awarded the crew chief of the race. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Eury Jr. received $1,000. Earning his second crew chief of the race award puts Eury Jr. tied for second in the overall standings. Robbie Reiser is currently leading with three wins. Tony Eury Jr., Larry Carter, Mike Ford, Donnie Wingo, and Chad Knaus are tied for second, each with two wins. Jimmy Elledge, Tony Gibson, Steve Letarte, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin and Ryan Pemberton each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(8-7-2007)
- Flexible Elledge Brings Team back and Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race at Indy: The young combination of crew chief, Jimmy Elledge, and NASCAR driver, Reed Sorenson, came to the homeland of motorsports, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as novices and left with respect among their elders. Qualifying on the pole for the 14th running of the Allstate Brickyard 400, Elledge set a course for the 160-lap race planning to give Sorenson every opportunity at a solid finish. However, with a caution-plagued race, Elledge had to
quickly alter the plan after his young driver fell back into the field. With quick thinking and a mid-race change of strategy, the duo combined to successfully bring home their second top-five for the season, earning Elledge the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Kenny Francis, Tony Eury Jr., Robbie Reiser and a Wypall Wipers representative agreed Elledge’s quick thinking was deserving for him to be awarded the crew chief of the race. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Elledge received $1,000. Earning his first crew chief of the race award puts Elledge tied for third in the overall standings. Robbie Reiser is currently leading with three wins, as Larry Carter, Mike Ford, Donnie Wingo, and Chad Knaus are tied for second, all with two wins. Jimmy Elledge, Tony Gibson, Steve Letarte, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin, Ryan Pemberton and Tony Eury Jr. each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(7-31-2007)
- Reiser does his Homework and Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Heading into the USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, crew chief Robbie Reiser knew his team’s #17 USG Sheetrock Ford had the potential to perform well. Strategizing to keep his driver, Matt Kenseth, in the front group for the running of the race became Reiser’s main focus. While the debate among crew chiefs wavered around two tire stops, fuel mileage and finding the right line to run around the 1.5 mile tri-oval track, Reiser did his homework and stuck to the plan, earning the crafty veteran crew chief and team their seventh top-five finish for the season. For his precise planning and strategy execution, Reiser was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Kenny Francis, Tony Eury Jr. and a Wypall Wipers representative agreed Reiser’s planning and race day performance was deserving for him to be awarded the crew chief of the race. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Reiser received $1,000.
Earning his third crew chief of the race award puts Reiser in the lead in the overall standings. Larry Carter, Mike Ford, Donnie Wingo, and Chad Knaus are tied for second, each with two wins. Tony Gibson, Steve Letarte, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin, Ryan Pemberton and Tony Eury Jr. each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(7-31-2007)
- Carter Leads Comeback and Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race Under the lights at Daytona International Speedway crew chief Larry Carter lead the #26 Roush / Fenway Racing team to victory, breaking their winless 2007 season drought in fine fashion. Through strong leadership and by keeping a calm head under pressure, Carter was also able to help his driver Jamie McMurray record his first victory in 166 races. The team faced a difficult task to come back after a pass through penalty dropped McMurray to the back of the field. However, through Carter’s guidance and McMurray’s skill, the #26 IRWIN Marathon Saw Blades Ford inched out ahead to take the checkered flag. Carter’s efforts and team leadership won him the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Kenny Francis, Robbie Reiser, Tony Eury Jr. and a Wypall Wipers representative all agreed Carter’s performance was deserving for him to be awarded the crew chief of the race. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Carter received $1,000. Earning his second crew chief of the race award puts Carter tied for first place in the overall standings. Larry Carter, Mike Ford, Donnie Wingo, Robbie Reiser and Chad Knaus are tied for first, each with two wins. Tony Gibson, Steve Letarte, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin, Ryan Pemberton and Tony Eury Jr. each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(7-12-2007)
- Ford’s the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race at NHIS: After a pressure filled season with the #11 FedEx Ground Chevy team getting painstakingly close to victory on many occasions, crew chief, Mike Ford, and his young driver, Denny Hamlin, combined to give the Joe Gibbs Race Crew their first taste of victory for the 2007 season. A gutsy call by Ford during the final stages of the Lenox Industrial Tools 300 put Hamlin in a position to take the win. For his race winning pit strategy and “never give up” determination, Ford won the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. Between leading numerous laps throughout the season and providing the car to beat at prior races, the #11 team was primed to go the extra step and take the checkered flag in New Hampshire. An earlier two-tire pit stop had deemed successful for Ford; therefore, when a caution 46 laps from the end of the race brought the front runners down pit road for servicing, he opted again for a two-tire change in an attempt to pick up track position. The #11 team sent Hamlin off pit road in first place after hovering in the top five in the latter stages of the race. Hamlin was able to hold of several charges from those behind to pick up his third career victory. A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Kenny Francis, Robbie Reiser, Tony Eury Jr. and a Wypall Wipers
representative, all agreed Ford’s call was deserving for him to be awarded the crew chief of the race. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Ford received $1,000. Earning his second crew chief of the race award puts Ford tied for first place in the overall standings. Mike Ford, Donnie Wingo, Robbie Reiser and Chad Knaus are tied for first, each with two wins. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(7-3-2007)
- Wingo Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race at Sonoma: The first road course race for the 2007 Nextel Cup season brought with it varying strategies for crew chiefs. Known for being among the toughest tracks to plan a race strategy, Infineon Raceway had crew chiefs working over time, debating with the idea of making it a two pit stop race and calculating how to gain all important track position. For Donnie Wingo and his #42 Texaco / Havoline crew, the task was going to prove even harder after a not so impressive qualifying lap by rookie driver, Juan Pablo Montoya, placing the #42 Dodge 32nd on the starting grid. However, Wingo and his Formula 1 star turned NASCAR driver put together a perfectly calculated fuel and track position strategy to give the Colombian native his first Nextel Cup victory. For his precise strategy which led the team to their first win for the 2007 season, Wingo was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Kenny Francis, Robbie Reiser, Tony Eury Jr. and a Wypall Wipers representative, all agreed Wingo was the deserving crew chief of the race winner. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Wingo received $1,000. Earning his second crew chief of the race award puts Wingo tied for first place in the overall with Robbie Reiser and Chad Knaus. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(6-28-2007)
- Gibson Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race at MIS: Amidst the media cloud and controversy that surrounded Dale Earnhardt Incorporated this week following the announcement of Dale Earnhardt Jr. moving to a new camp for 2008, the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet team was determined to prove they were still focused on giving solid performances. With their team leader, Tony Eury Jr., still serving the remainder of his suspension, it was left up to substitute crew chief, Tony Gibson, to lead the DEI team. Gibson rallied his crew during the Citizens Bank 400 at Michigan International Speedway while tending to front end damage and handling problems, enabling his team to finish strong, gaining a well-deserved fifth place finish. For his ability to keep the crew focused on the task at hand by providing solid race day leadership, Gibson was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Kenny Francis, Robbie Reiser and a Wypall Wipers representative, all agreed Gibson was the deserving crew chief of the race winner. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Gibson received $1,000. Earning his first crew chief of the race award puts Gibson tied for second place in the overall standings. Robbie Reiser and Chad Knaus are tied for first, each with two wins. Tony Gibson, Steve Letarte, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Larry Carter, Mike Ford, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin, Ryan Pemberton, Donnie Wingo and Tony Eury Jr. each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(6-21-2007)
- Letarte’s perfect rain strategy wins him the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: As gloomy clouds slowly crept their way through the mountains to Pocono Raceway during the running of the Pocono 500, Steve Letarte, crew chief for the #24 DuPont Chevrolet team, changed strategy. Opting to keep his driver, Jeff Gordon, on the track as the leaders pitted during the caution was risky, but paid off. The gutsy call took the DuPont team off pit strategy with the rest of the field; however, using the weather radar as guidance, Letarte judged that the race would be shortened and was able to quickly calculate fuel mileage, possible laps remaining and the strategy of the other competitors to make the race winning call. For his amazing pressure decision and race day calculations, Letarte won the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. After rain delayed the waving of the green flag by three hours, the #24 Hendrick Motorsports team, starting from the 18th position, turned solid laps just outside of the top 10. When debris brought out the third caution of the day on lap 67, Letarte’s decision to alter his race strategy from a 200 lap race (as it was scheduled to run) to a shortened event came into play. Taking advice from his spotter, engineer and car chief, Letarte instructed Gordon to stay on the track to pick up valuable track position, while planning for the
shortened race. The decision looked to fall apart as Gordon needed to pit for fuel under green only 20 laps later, dropping him to 26th
place. As calculated by Letarte, green flag pit stops were required by front-runners at lap 96, just shy of the all-important half mark
of the race. As Letarte and Gordon watched the front runners dive down pit lane, the circulation of pit stops brought the #24 Chevrolet to the front again. As the clouds opened up on lap 106, bringing out a red flag to stop the race due to rain, the decision was made to end the race giving the DuPont team their fourth win of the season.
A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Tony Eury Jr., Kenny Francis, Robbie Reiser and a Wypall Wipers representative, all agreed Letarte was the crew chief of the race winner. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Letarte received $1,000. Earning his first crew chief of the race award puts Letarte tied for second place in the overall standings. Robbie Reiser and Chad Knaus are tied for first, each with two wins. Steve Letarte, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Larry Carter, Mike Ford, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin, Ryan Pemberton, Donnie Wingo and Tony Eury Jr. each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(6-14-2007)
- Nelson Turns Team around and Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: After a rained out race day resulting in yet again another rescheduled race, Penske Racing’s Mike Nelson, crew chief for the #12 Alltel Dodge team, had to wait three days to show that his team has turned some corners in their season. With his driver, Ryan Newman, picking up his second pole for the season in Friday’s qualifying session, Nelson and his #12 crew were primed for a stellar performance at Dover International Speedway for the Autism Speaks 400 presented by Visa. The team did not disappoint, keeping Newman in the top ten for the entire race, finishing in second place, their best performance for the season and Newman’s second top 5 for the year. For his outstanding race day leadership and preparation prior to the 400 lap event, Nelson was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Tony Eury Jr., Kenny Francis, Robbie Reiser and a Wypall Wipers representative, all agreed Nelson’s efforts were deserving to be awarded crew chief of the race. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Nelson received $1,000. Earning his first crew chief of the race award puts Nelson tied for second place in the overall standings. Robbie Reiser and Chad Knaus are tied for first, each with two wins. Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Larry Carter, Mike Ford, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin, Ryan Pemberton, Donnie Wingo and Tony Eury Jr. each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(6-7-2007)
- Reiser Dominates all Day and Wins Wypall Crew Chief of the Race: The #17 DeWalt racing pit crew has become renowned for their fast work servicing driver Matt Kenseth’s car when the pressure is on. With team leadership coming from crew chief Robbie Reiser, it is no wonder the Roush Racing team has become the envy of others. Once again, at Darlington Raceway, Reiser was on the top of his game, with a seemingly flawless pit strategy, allowing Kenseth to earn another top 10, his eighth for the season. From the waving of the green flag, Reiser knew the right times to call Kenseth in for a stop to make the necessary adjustments to the #17 Ford Fusion. For his outstanding pit strategy and analysis throughout the duration of the race, Reiser won the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. Starting in 31st position for the Dodger Avenger 500, and facing a rescheduled race due to a rain delay for the second weekend in a row,
it was going to be a tough day for the Reiser / Kenseth combination to weave their way to the front. With pending green flag pit stops,
Reiser called Kenseth in early to be the first to enter pit road on lap 94, in the hopes of gaining valuable track position once the rest of the field completed the pit stop cycle. The strategy was successful as Kenseth, by lap 105, was motoring just out of the top 10 after all teams had completed their pit stops. By lap 170, Kenseth moved into the top 10 where he stayed for the remainder of the race. Not only did quick pit stops throughout the race provide Kenseth the chance to lead on several occasions, but it also gained him those all important five bonus points for leading laps. A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Tony Eury Jr., Kenny Francis and a Wypall Wipers representative, were unanimous in selecting Reiser as the crew chief of the race. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Reiser received $1,000. Earning his second crew chief of the race award puts Reiser tied with Chad Knaus in the lead for overall standing with two wins. Larry Carter, Mike Ford, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin, Ryan Pemberton, Donnie Wingo and Tony Eury Jr. each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year.
For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(5-17-2007)
- Knaus Keeps it Together to Win Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race at RIR: Chad Knaus, crew chief for the #88 Lowe’s Chevy, faced multiple obstacles during the Crown Royal Presents the Jim Stewart 400 at Richmond International Raceway. A rescheduling of the race from Saturday evening to Sunday afternoon due to rain was only the beginning of a tough day for Knaus as he
dealt with a loose car, hot breaks, air pressure and more. However Knaus kept a cool head while working on the multiple problems his
driver, Jimmie Johnson, radioed in, calling for the necessary adjustments during pit stops. Knaus’ communication with Johnson combined with quick and accurate assessments of the problems, lead the 2006 Nextel Cup Champion to the checkered flag, capturing the team’s fourth victory for the season. For his outstanding race day calls along with team leadership and direction, Chad Knaus was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Tony Eury Jr., Kenny Francis, Robbie Reiser and a Wypall Wipers representative were unanimous in selecting Knaus as the Crew Chief of the Race. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Knaus received $1,000. Earning his second crew chief of the race award puts Knaus in the lead for overall standing with two wins. Larry Carter, Mike Ford, Robbie Reiser, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin, Ryan Pemberton, Donnie Wingo and Tony Eury Jr. each have one win. At the end of the season the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(5-8-2007)
- Larry Carter wins Wypall Crew Chief of the Race at Talladega: Planning for the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway, the second restrictor plate race of the season, had crew chiefs preparing for drafting, fuel strategies and how to avoid “the big one.” For the #26 Roush / Fenway Ford Crew Chief Larry Carter, it was also essential to rekindle the momentum they had seen in previous races in hopes of projecting driver Jamie McMurray further up the leader board. And that he did, by keeping his driver on the track at the right times and calling for a pit stop at the most appropriate moments, giving the team a solid top-5 finish for the race. For his strategic decision-making and calculated race strategy, Carter won the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. Throughout the race, Carter managed to keep the #26 team focused on steady pit stops while keeping McMurray out of harms way. Starting from the 25th position, McMurray was quick to move closer to front of the pack. When the caution flag waved with only 30 laps remaining of the 191-lap marathon, Carter opted to keep McMurray on the track, locking him into the lead group for the final sprint to the finish line. The decision to stay on the track enabled McMurray to edge to the front, leading several laps to gain those coveted bonus points. In the end, McMurray ran solid with the veterans, finishing the race with a much needed and well-deserved top-5 finish, which also gained him five positions in the overall drivers standings. At the conclusion of the race, Carter emphasized the importance of their finish and what it meant to his team. “We are continually striving to make this team better,” said Carter on his #26 Team. “I really do work with a great crew. Jamie was out there racing hard with some veterans today and did very well. It is always great to bring your car home in one piece after a race like this.” Carter also added on winning the Wypall Wiper Crew Chief of the Race, “It is a honor to win this award.”
As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Carter received $1,000. Earning his first crew chief of the race award puts Carter
level with Mike Ford, Robbie Reiser, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin, Chad Knaus, Ryan Pemberton, Donnie Wingo and Tony Eury Jr., also with one win each. At the end of the season the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(5-3-2007)
- Ford Fights Back and Earns the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Prior to the start of the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, crew chief Mike Ford, Joe Gibbs Racing, was extremely confident after great practice sessions proved that his #11 FedEx Chevy had the best setup possible. As crew chief, he had done all he could prior to the green flag to give his young star driver, Denny Hamlin, every shot at winning. And it seemed his work had paid off, as Hamlin wasted no time in charging from his third place starting position to the lead after only 24 laps. However, after Hamlin was caught speeding on pit road (lap 98), and was forced to make a pass-through penalty dropping him back to 31st, Ford tightened the belts, mustered his crew and set sights on working Hamlin back to the front. An amazing effort between the crew chief, driver and team, propelled Hamlin through the field to register a hard fought third place finish. For his great pre-race efforts and hard work all night on top of the pit box, Mike Ford won the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. Having done his homework and having solid practice runs leading up to the Subway Fresh Fit 500, Ford made no adjustments to the #11 Chevy after the final practice session. With green flag pit stops pending in the final 30 laps of the race, Ford opted to keep Hamlin on the track as long as possible to avoid any chance of being caught a lap down in the event of a caution. The strategy paid off as several of the leaders who had pitted early were trapped a lap down when the caution flag came out with 28 laps remaining. A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Tony Eury Jr., Kenny Francis, Robbie Reiser and a Wypall Wipers representative were unanimous in selecting Ford as the crew chief of the race. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Ford received $1,000. Earning his first crew chief of the race award puts Ford level with Robbie Reiser, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin, Chad Knaus, Ryan Pemberton, Donnie Wingo and Tony Eury Jr. also with one win each. At the end of the season the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(4-24-2007)
- Reiser Rallies the Crew for a Top 5 Finish and Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: With all odds stacked against him, Robbie Reiser, crew chief on the #17 Roush / Fenway Racing team, orchestrated an unexpected top five finish at Texas Motor Speedway. With the starting grid for the Samsung 500 set via opener's points after qualifying was a washout, the #17 DeWalt Ford was placed for a second row start. Throughout the race, Reiser had his crew working overtime to make the necessary adjustments on their poorly performing car, in the hope of giving his driver, Matt Kenseth, a chance at a respectable finish. His outstanding effort, along with his calculated racing strategy, won Reiser the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. When a caution flag waved with less than 100 laps remaining, Reiser opted for a two-tire change, giving Kenseth valuable track position. Reiser then needed to convince his driver to give it all he had, as Kenseth believed he was coasting on a flat right rear tire. Reiser's relentless efforts to convince him otherwise worked as Kenseth slid to the front with 18 laps remaining. Kenseth managed to hold onto this position, only to be edged out by eventual race winner, Jeff Burton, with only half a lap remaining. On all accounts, it was a grand performance by Reiser, giving his team and driver every chance to finish the weekend on a high note. "We really didn't have a car that was going to win today," said a humble Reiser at the conclusion of the Samsung 500. "I have to give it to my team and Matt for pushing it out there today. I'm just lucky that I've got a great bunch of guys behind me that know when we need to step it up a gear or two." A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Tony Eury Jr., Kenny Francis and a Wypall Wipers representative, were unanimous in selecting Reiser as the crew chief of the race. "They almost came out of nowhere today to steal a win," said Francis on the Reiser team. "The job for a crew chief is easy when everything is going your way on race day. But it really shows who is ahead of the others [crew chiefs] when you can pull out an effort like Robbie [Reiser] did today. What an awesome job by those guys." As the Wypall Wipers Crew chief of the Race, Reiser received $1,000. Earning his first crew chief of the race award puts Reiser level with Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin, Chad Knaus, Ryan Pemberton, Donnie Wingo and Tony Eury Jr. also with one win each. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(4-19-2007)
- Eury Jr.'s leadership earns him Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Tony Eury Jr., crew chief for the #8 Dale Earnhardt Inc. team, demonstrated solid leadership, while staying calm and in complete control throughout the running of the Cool Orange 500 at
Martinsville Speedway. With a less than impressive start to the season, the #8 Budweiser Chevy crew was looking for another solid performance to backup their first top-10 in Bristol last week. Eury Jr. provided the leadership and direction the team needed to post a top-five finish and keep his driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., at the front of the pack, leading more laps throughout the race than any other driver. For his precise direction and rock solid performance, Eury Jr. was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Robbie Reiser, Kenny Francis and a Wypall Wipers representative, judged Eury Jr.'s efforts and
leadership at Martinsville, as worthy of crew chief of the race honors. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Eury Jr. received $1,000. Earning his first crew chief of the race award puts Eury Jr. level with Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin, Chad Knaus, Ryan Pemberton and Donnie Wingo, also each with one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.Wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(4-5-2007)
- Gustafson Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race at Bristol: In a down-to-the-wire finish, Alan Gustafson led #5-Kyle Busch to a defining victory in the 15th annual Food City 500. Persevering through 500 laps of unpredictable racing on "the world's
fastest half-mile," the young duo held off a late charge from Jeff Burton in a three-lap overtime sprint to the checkered flag. By the end of the green-white-checkered finish, the #5 Hendrick Motorsports team was rejoicing in its 21-year-old driver's 4th career Nextel Cup win and celebrating Chevy's 600th career NASCAR victory. Leading the way, Gustafson used every one of the race's 15 cautions to move the Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevy to the front of the pack. His strategic decisions gave his team the competitive advantage and earned him the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of voters, which included a member of the local media, Tony Eury Jr., Robbie Reiser, Kenny Francis and a Wypall Wipers representative, agreed that Alan Gustafson made the best calls and adjustments during the race. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Gustafson received $1,000. With the victory, he has moved into a tie for first place with Chip Bolin, Chad Knaus, Ryan Pemberton and Donnie Wingo, each with one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(3-28-2007)
- Knaus Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race Award: Undeterred by Las Vegas Motor Speedway's new pavement, Jimmie Johnson and the #48 team collected their third UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 title in a row. Led by crew chief Chad Knaus, Johnson
pulled away from the competition in the final eleven laps to become the most-accomplished driver in Las Vegas Motor Speedway history. The victory, however, was not an easy one, and it required great preparation and adjustments from Knaus and the #48 team to give Hendrick Motorsports its 150th career victory. Following a pass-through penalty from a pit stop infraction, Knaus made all of the right adjustments to the Lowe's Chevy, cementing a place for both his team and driver in the record books and earning himself the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race Award. A panel of voters; including a member of the local media, Tony Eury Jr. and a Wypall Wipers representative; agreed that Chad Knaus made the best decisions and adjustments. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Knaus received $1,000. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year.(Wypall PR)(3-13-2007)
- Interim Crew Chief Chip Bolin Wins Wypall Wipers Crew of the Race: In only his second race in command of the #17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford Fusion team, interim crew chief Chip Bolin guided Matt Kenseth to a successful defense of his Auto Club 500 title and a sweep of the California Speedway race weekend. Rallying the #17 team from a 25th place qualifying run, the lead engineer-turned crew chief led Kenseth to his second trip to victory lane in less than 24 hours and his first Nextel Cup victory under a crew chief other than Robbie Reiser. In addition to transforming a lackluster racecar into the fastest car on the track, Bolin displayed the poise and decision-making of a veteran crew chief. For his pre-race adjustments and impeccable judgment, Bolin won the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. Bolin exhibited his expertise within the first 20 laps of the race. After a wreck involving Scott Riggs, Jamie McMurray and Reed Sorenson on the 7th lap, Bolin called Kenseth enter the pits to fill up on gas and make a minor adjustment to the car. Just twelve laps later, Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s flat tire brought the leaders around to pit road. Having pitted earlier, the #17 car
was able to stay on the track and immediately move into 3rd place. The team never looked back. A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Tony Eury Jr. and a Wypall Wipers representative, agreed that Chip Bolin made the best calls and adjustments during the race. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Bolin received $1,000. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year.(Wypall Wipers PR)(2-27-2007)
- Pemberton earns Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Ryan Pemberton, crew chief for the #01 Ginn Racing Chevy, made a bold but calculated call in the closing stages of the Daytona 500 to give Mark Martin and the U.S. Army team a great shot at a victory. In the final pit stop of the race, Pemberton's decision to take two right side tires only propelled Martin from seventh to first place
after the leaders chose to change all four tires. Martin held onto his lead until the final surge to the checkered flag, only to be inched out by eventually winner Kevin Harvick as the pair crossed the finish line. It was Mark Martin's best finish in the Great American Race. Pemberton's tactical move earned him the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race Award. The #01 U.S. Army team begun the race 26th on the starting grid and with this finish has set the new look team up for an exciting 2007 season. A panel of votes that included a local media representative, Tony Eury Jr.and a Wypall Wipers representative, all agreed Pemberton's strategic decision was worthy enough for him to win the first award for the 2007 season. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Pemberton received $1,000. At the
end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year.(Wypall Wipers PR)(2-19-2007)
MISC News/Press Releases
2006 Nextel Pit Crew Challenge
- #1 Pit Crew win Pit Crew Challenge: Martin Truex Jr's #1 Bass Pro Shops Team put on an outstanding show on Wednesday night at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena en route to capturing the second annual Nextel Pit Crew Challenge and the $70,100 prize. The #1 Team won over the #9 Team with 25.44 seconds vs. 31.71 [with penalties].(See more at RacingOne.com)(5-18-2006)
Pit Crew Challenge Recap from RacingOne
A total of 24 Nextel Cup pit crews will compete for an overall grand prize. Each of the seven over-the-wall pit-crew positions will compete for a $10,000 prize. Kasey Kahne’s #9 Dodge Dealers pit crew is the defending overall champion.
Round One
Chosen by a random drawing, all teams compete, two teams at a time, against the clock in the individual skills/team competition, with eight fastest teams progressing to Round Two as determined by overall team time.
Additionally, the fastest crew member at each station will be crowned at the individual champion in the following in the following categories: front-tire changer and carrier, rear-tire changer and carrier, jack man and gas man/catch-can man. Each of the winning crew members will receive a $10,000 cash prize.
Results
- #48 Team 31.92, penalties
- #26 Team Winner 26.56
- #11 Team 40.76, penalties
- #5 Team Winner 27.04
- #88 Team 35.59, penalties
- #25 Team Winner 27.80
- #24 Team Winner 28.82, penalties
- #38 Team 30.26, penalties
- #20 Team Winner 26.03
- #42 Team 33.47, penalties
- #99 Team Winner 26.02
- #8 Team 30.82, penalties
- #2 Team 28.15, penalties
- #1 Team Winner 25.29
- #12 Team Winner 26.06
- #43 Team 31.83, penalties
- #16 Team 31.21
- #19 Team Winner 26.32
- #6 Team 26.59
- #9 Team Winner 26.38
- #17 Team 34.69, penalties
- #31 Team Winner 29.81, penalties
- #55 Team Winner 32.05, penalties
- #29 Team 36.78, penalties
Top Five Teams after Round One
- #1 Team - 25.29
- #99 Team - 26.02
- #20 Team - 26.03
- #12 Team - 26.03
- #19 Team - 26.32
Individual winners
- Jackman: Jeff Kerr (#1 Team)
- Catch Can: Brian Larson (#20 team)
- Gas Man: Jeff Paterson (#20 Team)
- Front Tire Changer: Jason Pulver (#29 Team)
- Front Tire Carrier: Josh Mick (#29 Team)
- Rear Tire Changer: Kyle Turner (#9 Team)
- Rear Tire Carrier: Don Marvel (#9 Team)
Round Two: Quarterfinals
The eight fastest teams from Round One advance to a head-to-head single-elimination competition seeded by Round One overall time. Four heat winners advance to Round Three (Final Four).
Results
- #6 Team 26.65
- #1 Team Winner 26.27
- #12 Team 28.53, penalties
- #19 Team Winner 25.61
- #99 Team Winner 25.42
- #26 Team 31.87, penalties
- #20 Team 26.42
- #9 Team Winner 25.68
Round Three: Semifinals
The competition continues with the same format from Round Two. Two heat winners advance to Round Four (Finals).
Results
- #19 Team 28.32, Penalties
- #1 Team Winner 25.26
- #99 Team 25.65
- #9 Team Winner 25.34
Round Four: Finals
The winning teams from Round Three head to head with the winner crowned as the Nextel Pit Crew Challenge Champion.
Results
- #9 Team 31.71, penalties
- #1 Team Winner 25.44
(RacingOne)
National Pit Crew Championship Powered by Tyson
- "National Pit Crew Championship Powered by Tyson" was not held in 2006 and only one competition was held instead of two as their was in 2005
2006 Truck Driver Challenge
- Seaberg win Pilot Truck Driver Challenge: Evernham Motorsports hauler driver Jeff Seaberg, who steers the #10 Valvoline/Stanley Tools Dodge to the track each week, was named the 2006 Pilot Truck Driver Challenge winner Friday at AMS. Seaberg claimed his $50,000 check and large trophy in front of a room full of his peers and a smattering of media members. Seaberg claimed the title by acing a comprehensive test of driving ability, alertness and dedication to his profession. The competition included safety checks, spot quizzes and navigating through driving courses. Joe Gibbs Racing's Peter Jellen finished second and picked
up $5,000, and Penske Racing's Bill Lewis was third, earning $2,500. Pilot Travel Centers also announced plans for increased purse money for next season's challenge, upping second- and third-place prizes to $10,000 and $5,000 respectively.(AMS Pit Notes)(10-28-2006)
OTHER PAST PIT CREW/CREW CHIEF NEWS
- So where is the big blue bottle? been getting asked alot where the big blue Powerade Bottle is that caused such a firestorm in 2004 [Johnson fine, Gordon misses Indy's victory lane, etc]. in 2003 and 2004, the pit crew award was called "McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade". In 2005, McDonald's dropped it sponsorship of the award and as the official fast food restaurant of NASCAR. In 2005 Checker's now sponsors the award, called the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge. Not sure of the rules or standings as I have gotten no PR's on it, who is eligible and have seen no websites for it, just blurbs about who won the week before.(3-21-2005)
ALL-TIME UNION 76/ROCKINGHAM
WORLD PIT CREW CHAMPIONSHIP
PAST WINNERS
- YEAR... TIME... CREW CHIEF .... DRIVER.
2004... not held
2003... 16.725* Mike Ford.. Bill Elliott
2002... 16.823* Robbie Reiser.. Matt Kenseth
2001... 17.695 Robbie Reiser.. Matt Kenseth.
2000... 18.355. Frank Stoddard. Jeff Burton.
1999... 19.166. Jimmy Makar.... Bobby Labonte.
1998... 20.322. Larry McReynolds....... Mike Skinner.
1997... 20.870. Mike Beam...... Bill Elliott.
1996... 22.056. Gary DeHart.... Terry Labonte.
1995... 23.692. Dean Combs..... Brett Bodine.
1994... 19.363. Ray Evernham, Jr....... Jeff Gordon.
1993... 22.454. Buddy Parrott.. Rusty Wallace.
1992... 23.142. Ken Howes...... Ken Schrader.
1991... 22.565. Donnie Wingo... Morgan Shepherd.
1990... 24.002. Mike Beam...... Bill Elliott.
1989... 24.681. Jeff Hammond... Darrell Waltrip.
1988... 23.808. Kirk Shelmerdine....... Dale Earnhardt.
1987... 23.831. Kirk Shelmerdine....... Dale Earnhardt.
1986... 27.601. Kirk Shelmerdine....... Dale Earnhardt.
1985... 28.898. Kirk Shelmerdine....... Dale Earnhardt.
Began four-tire changes in 1985; two-tire changes before 1985
YEAR.... TIME.. CREW CHIEF..... DRIVER.
1984... 15.456. Junie Donlavey. Dick Brooks.
1983... 14.689* Buddy Parrott.. Joe Ruttman.
1982... 15.704. Tim Brewer..... Cale Yarborough.
1981... 17.622. Leonard Wood... Neil Bonnett.
1980... 17.089. Maurice Petty.. Richard Petty.
1979... 16.261. Junior Johnson. Cale Yarborough.
1978... 15.977. J.C. Elder..... Benny Parsons.
1977... 17.390. Maurice Petty.. Richard Petty.
1976... 19.689. Maurice Petty.. Richard Petty.
1975... 18.021. Mario Rossi.... Donnie Allison.
1974... 19.828. Bill Hamner.... Bobby Allison.
1973... 20.166. Harry Hyde..... Buddy Baker.
1972... 22.600. Herb Nab....... Bobby Allison.
1971... ....... Cancelled Due to Weather
1970... 19.840. Don Lawrence... Bobby Allison.
1969... 21.947. Herb Nab....... LeeRoy Yarbrough.
1968... 18.276. Leonard Wood... Cale Yarborough.
1967... 21.922. Leonard Wood... Cale Yarborough.
*denotes records (IMG Motorsports PR)(11-2-2002)
Past Pit Crew Awards
- 2006 Past Winners
- 2005 Past Winners and Top 10's and season standings
- 2004 Past Winners and Top 10's and season standings
- Dale Jr's Pit Crew To Collect $200,000 Bonus; Sterling Marlin's Crew Takes Homestead Victory
- Past Results and News - on my 2003 Past Pit Crew News Page
Union 76/Rockingham World Pit Crew competition
- 2003 Union 76/Rockingham World Pit Crew competition results and info - click here
- 2002 Union 76/Rockingham World Pit Crew competition results and info - click here
