The pit crew for Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Chevrolet scored its fourth victory of the season in the weekly McDonald’s Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade at the recent NASCAR Winston Cup race in Richmond, Va. The victory, worth $20,000, moved the No. 8 Budweiser team closer to first place in the pit crew season standings. With 10 races remaining, Earnhardt’s crew trails DEI teammate – the No. 15 crew for Michael Waltrip by 47 points. The McDonald’s/POWERade season pit crew champion will receive a $200,000 bonus. “We have a rivalry going with the No. 15 team,” said Tony Eury Jr., car chief for the No. 8 Chevrolet. “Our guys are really excited about this and feel they can catch the 15 team. The $200,000 bonus gives us something to really shoot for. I think it’s great that McDonald’s and POWERade stepped up to recognize the crews with this championship.” In Saturday night’s (Sept. 6) Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway, Earnhardt’s car spent the least amount of time on pit road for participating teams – 200.796 seconds. Second was Jeff Burton’s Citgo Ford – 206.850 and third was Bobby Labonte’s Interstate Batteries Chevrolet – 250.575. Earnhardt’s over-the-wall crew consists of: Jeff Clark (gasman), Kevin Pennell (jackman), Phil Drye (front tire changer), Danny Earnhardt (front tire carrier), Jay Guarneri (rear tire changer), Troy Prince (rear tire carrier), Bill Snyder (catch can). The team’s crew chief is Tony Eury and the car chief is Tony Eury Jr.For the season standings, who has won each week, the top 10 last race, see my Pit Crew Page .(DMF Communications PR)(9-10-2003)
