Tony Stewart’s over-the-wall crew moved into a tie for first-place in the season-long Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge by taking top honors Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway. It was a double win for the #20 crew, which helped boost its driver to a winning performance in the Dickies 500 race at the 1.5-mile oval. With two Nextel Cup races remaining, Stewart’s and Jimmie Johnson’s pit crews are tied for first with five victories each. Kyle Busch’s crew is in third with four wins. If there’s a tie after the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 19), the team that finishes highest in the driver point standings will be awarded the Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru season championship with the $105,000 bonus. Stewart’s over-the-wall crew, which earned $10,500 for being the top crew in Texas, consists of: Jason Lee (jackman), Tom Dean (front-tire carrier), Ira-Jo Hussey (front-tire changer), Jody Fortson (rear-tire carrier), Todd Foster (rear-tire changer), Jeff Patterson (gasman), Brian Larson (catch can) and Scott Geerts (windshield). The team’s crew chief is Greg Zipadelli and the pit stop coordinator is Paul Alepa. To date, Checkers/Rally’s has paid out $357,000 in NEXTEL Cup Series prize money during this season. Checkers/Rally’s is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(11-8-2006)
