No. 1 team claims victory in Pit Crew Challenge
Truex's team says victory could boost team in next few weeks
By David Newton, NASCAR.COM
May 18, 2006
12:10 AM EDT (04:10 GMT)


CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- As they neared the end of a 40-yard sprint pushing 3,700 pounds on wheels, the pit crew for Nextel Cup rookie Martin Truex Jr. gave one mighty shove to send the No. 1 Chevrolet across the finish line.

Then they raised their hands to the ceiling of the Charlotte Bobcats Arena just as they would had Truex won Saturday night's all-star race at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

For them, it was that big.

Truex's crew on Wednesday night dethroned the crew of Kasey Kahne as the champions of the second annual Nextel Pit Crew Challenge.

They changed four tires from individual stations, filled the car with 18 gallons of gas and pushed the car 40 yards in a time of 25.44 seconds. Kahne's crew took 26.71 seconds.

The only thing missing was Truex, who was entertaining family members at his new home.

"Unfortunately, he did not make it," crew chief Kevin Manion said. "It's something we need to beat him up about a little bit. We've been on him a little bit to be more involved with the team.

"It's very important for these guys. They like it when the driver comes around."

Carl Edwards' team was awarded third place after posting a time of 25.65 seconds in a semifinal loss to Kahne's team. Jeremy Mayfield's team was fourth.

The winning team received $70,100.

"I just want to thank Martin for matching the $70,000," gasman Bob Tracey said jokingly.

Jackman Jeff Kerr, a former inside linebacker at East Carolina, was a double winner after posting a time of 6.42 seconds in the individual competition.

"I'm sitting on cloud nine," he said. "That's a LOT of money."

Walt Smith, the team's pit crew coach, credited Kerr for getting the team off to the lead on the 40-yard push.

"The push was probably the biggest thing," Smith said.

Truex' team had the fastest time in the first round when the top eight fastest teams advanced. The crew defeated Mark Martin's team in the quarterfinals and Mayfield's in the semifinals.

Kahne's team made it to the finals by beating the crews of Tony Stewart and Edwards.

Manion hopes the win will be a boost for the team, 22nd in points, as it heads into Saturday's Nextel Open needing a victory to advance to the all-star race.

"Tonight we came in the underdog and left the winner," he said. "It's a real neat deal for these guys. I had more fun tonight than I've had since Homestead last year."

Smith said the confidence gained could come in handy in two weeks when there could be as many as 15 pit stops in the Coca-Cola 600, where NASCAR has mandated smaller fuel cells to help prevent tire issues on the newly surfaced track.

"It's going to be a night similar to this one, a night where there will be a lot of chances to make mistakes and a lot of chances to shine," he said.

The team shined throughout Wednesday night, accumulating only one penalty -- a loose lug nut -- in four stops.

"That's keeping focus," Smith said. "As many pit stops as we're going to have in Charlotte, it'll be a breeze compared to this."

Going to the track will be more fun as well.

"As far as going to the track, it's great 'cause you get respect," said rear tire changer Greg Osborne. "When you're not running up front, people don't always notice you."

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