Jeff Gordon’s DuPont pit crew claimed its first win of the season in the weekly Checkers / Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge competition, helping boost the Hendrick Motorsports driver to a third-place finish in Sunday’s (July 23) NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race at Pocono Raceway. “I’m glad this over-the-wall crew is getting the recognition it deserves,” said Steve Letarte, crew chief of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet. “They’ve been great all year long, especially during difficult days when the car wasn’t handling well.” Gordon’s over-the-wall team edged out other crews by spending the least amount of time in the pits during the Pennsylvania 500. Gordon’s 324 Chevrolet spent 228.349 seconds on pit lane. His pit crew will be awarded the weekly $10,500 prize. The #24 over-the-wall team 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 Jason “Penske” Seitzinger (eighth-man). The pit crew coach is Matt Clark. With four wins in the Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge, Jimmie Johnson’s team leads the season-long competition. Tony Stewart’s and Kyle Busch’s pit crews are tied for second place with three victories each. The Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge is in its second season of rewarding pit crews, the unsung heroes in the Nextel Cup Series. The competition awards $10,500 per week to the top pit crew. In addition, the pit crew with the most wins will be awarded a $105,000 bonus 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)(7-26-2006)
