The No. 8 crew has now scored back-to-back wins with the latest coming in Sunday’s Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon. The victory gave Earnhardt’s crew its fifth McDonald’s/POWERade victory of the season, the most of any team participating in the inaugural championship. The five victories, worth $100,000 ($20,000 for each win), has put the No. 8 crew in a contending position for the season championship and the $200,000 bonus. Earnhardt’s crew remains in second place, but the gap is closing against its DEI teammate – the No. 15 crew for Michael Waltrip. With nine races remaining, the No. 8 crew is 36 points behind Waltrip’s crew. Three weeks ago following the Bristol race, Earnhardt’s crew trailed Waltrip’s crew by 72 points. “It’s getting really tense over here at DEI,” said Walt Smith, pit crew coach for the DEI teams. “We all get along here at DEI, but there’s also a rivalry, trying to out-do each other. This is a fabulous deal that McDonald’s and POWERade have put together. Our teams are really into it. The money that is being put out means a ton to these guys. It’s huge — $20,000 each week plus the big $200,000 bonus at the end of the year. I don’t have to get them pumped up for this deal.” In Sunday’s (Sept. 14) Sylvania 300, Earnhardt’s Budweiser Chevrolet spent the least amount of time on pit road for participating teams – 118.175 seconds. Second was Bill Elliott’s Dodge – 134.352 and third was John Andretti’s Pennzoil/DEI Chevrolet – 135.759. 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.(DMF Communications PR) see the standings, the top 10 at the race on my Pitcrew Page .(9-18-2003)
