Pit Crew Challenge: Joe Gibbs Racing Hoping to Nab $100,000 Cash Prize for Third Consecutive Year
Ever wondered what NASCAR is like from the eyes of its teams’ Pit Crew members? Then look no further than the NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge by Mechanix on Friday, May 16. Each year, for a single night, the franchise starts the All-Star Race at the ever-historic North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The event shifts gears from focusing on NASCAR’s drivers and onto the Pit Crew that makes their successful runs possible each week. It’s every man for himself, and the competition is insanely fierce. The event tests a pit crew’s ability to perform well under pressure, be quick on their feet, and work as a team.
While fans consider it a fun spectacle to watch, the crew members participating are fighting for starting positions in the All-Star Race set for this weekend at the 0.625-mile short track. It will surely be a sight to behold, and the reigning pit crew from Joe Gibbs Racing is going for a third consecutive win. The JGR pit crew consists of Fueler Peyton Moore, Jackman Derrell Edwards, Tire Carrier Jacob Holmes, and Front Tire Changer Blake Houston.
These guys are known for their precision and optimism during races and have been the main ingredients to Ty Gibbs’ 2023 win and Christopher Bell’s ability to start from the pole in 2024. Bell impressively clocked the pole win in under 13.223 seconds during an initial pit stop. The crew will be returning alongside the No. 20 driver, but so are 19 other teams entered to race in the Cup Series All-Star race, with 4 open entries. Can the JGR pit crew uphold their championship title, or will another contender dethrone them?
History of the NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge
Since 1967, NASCAR has hosted the Pit Crew Challenge to kick off the historic All-Star Race Weekend. The event was initially held at the ever-popular Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina until 2003. However, after a two-year hiatus in 2005, NASCAR boldly decided to reintegrate the event into the circuit with significant changes.
Instead of being held at “The Rock” as the track is affectionately dubbed, it would be held at the Spectrum Center in the sprawling city of Charlotte. Unfortunately, the event only lasted 7 years before dissipating again in 2012. In 2023, some 11 years later, the Pit Crew Challenge would return, but this time to stay at the third venue in nearly two decades at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
The idea behind the challenge is for pit crew members to let loose and have fun, though the stakes are still high. During an interview with various media outlets, Pit Crew Coach Ray Wright for Richard Childress Racing capitalized on this. He mentioned that it’s a nice change of pace to see his team rewarded for what they do without it being expected. Indeed, it is, and it will be interesting to see which crew will go for the gold.
“It’s always fun for the guys to have a moment. Every week, they’re in stressful situations and they really don’t get rewarded for any of the good they do, it’s expected.” “We look forward to having the ability to just go out there and lay it all on the line and see how fast stuff we can do, so we’re looking forward to it.” Pit Crew Coach for RCR, Ray Wright Said.
Importance to All-Star Weekend
The Pit Crew Challenge has been the primary ingredient in diversifying NASCAR’s mid-season and kicking off the quintessential All-Star Weekend. Friday marks the start of the weekend with All-Star Friday hosted by Raymer Oil. All-Star Friday entails open qualifying sessions for teams entered into Sunday’s Cup Series All-Star Race and, of course, the Pit Crew Challenge.
However, the qualifying format may look slightly different compared to 2024, due to open entries attempting a spot in the field of 24. Open entries will be first up to determine the open lineup for Sunday. All-Star entries will qualify to determine the heat race lineup following open entries.
Once qualifying begins, it’s game on for pit crew members as drivers gear up to take on a single-lap qualifying run based solely on speed.The second lap, however, is explicitly designated for the Pit Crew Challenge, where crew members from various teams will be tested on how fast they can replace all four tires on their drivers’ vehicles.
The pit crew that clocks the fastest time replacing tires during mandatory pit stops without a penalty will win the Pit Crew Challenge and receive a trophy plus $100,000. For drivers, on the other hand, clocking a qualifying time will depend on the total time from start to finish, including any pit stops.
Final Thoughts
As the NASCAR Cup Series prepares to take on North Wilkesboro Speedway this weekend for the All-Star Race, it’s not all about the drivers, per se. The Pit Crew Challenge will be in full swing to give Pit Crew team members from all 24 fielded teams this weekend a chance to let loose and show what they’re made of without any added pressure. Each year, crew members are honored at the historic short track at North Wilkesboro, but so far, Joe Gibbs Racing has become unbeatable, taking home the winning trophy and $100,000 prize for two consecutive years. Will JGR make it a third, or will another pit crew team take them to the bank? Stay tuned.
