#11-Denny Hamlin’s over-the-wall crew took top honors in the Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge during Saturday night’s Nextel Cup event at Phoenix International Raceway. Out of the Joe Gibbs Racing stable, the #11 FedEx team spent the least amount of time on pit road (217.339 seconds), lifting its driver to a third-place finish. “The FedEx over-the-wall guys were really good tonight,” said Hamlin. “They worked hard, were quick all race and certainly stepped up their game. It’s frustrating not to leave Phoenix with a win after having such a good car and a good effort on pit road but the breaks just didn’t go our way.” The #11 crew includes: Chris Webb (jackman), Chad Edwards (front-tire carrier), Donnie Brown (front-tire changer), Heath Cherry (rear-tire carrier), Dennis Terry (rear-tire changer), Scott Wood (gasman), John Eicher (catch can), Bobby “Spike” Christenson (windshield) and John Furino (pit support). The team’s crew chief is Mike Ford and the pit crew coordinator is Paul Alepa. Checkers/Rally’s will award Hamlin’s crew a cash prize of $11,000 for winning the weekly competition. An additional $111,150 will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule. To win the Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge, teams are required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time on pit road. Checkers/Rally’s is in its third season as title sponsor for the pit crew challenge. Checkers/Rally’s is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(4-24-2007)
