Ryan Pemberton, crew chief for the #83 Red Bull Toyota driven by Brian Vickers, has been named the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race following Sunday’s Carfax 400 at Michigan International Speedway. A caution on Lap 149 of the 200-lap event gave the field a chance to pit, with some teams choosing to try and stretch their fuel to the finish. Pemberton brought his driver down pit road for the final time and opted for just two tires and fuel – giving him much needed track position and a shot at the win. Pemberton told his driver that in order to win the race, he would have to conserve fuel. Vickers gained six positions on the two-tire gamble and restarted ninth (behind other drivers who didn’t pit) when the green flag fell with 48 laps to go. Ten laps later Vickers was leading, only to give up the lead to Jimmie Johnson with 35 laps to go. He drafted behind Johnson for the next 33 laps, conserving fuel. With just two laps remaining, Johnson’s tank ran dry, handing the win to Vickers. In addition to the $1,000 check, the winning crew chief will receive signage to announce the win on their pit box the following week. The crew chief with the most weekly wins will be honored as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and will be presented a $20,000 check at the season finale in Homestead.(Wypall)(8-18-2009)
