©1999 SpeedCenter Publishing
FONTANA, Calif. -- The heart pounding, adrenaline-pumping excitement of racing isn't just on the track - a race among the
pit crews also has been fueling the need for speed and the finish line is
just around the final turn. Craftsman will present the first-ever Craftsman
Pit Crew Challenge Trophy and a check for $50,000 to the fastest
Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) pit crew, determined in a special final
competition among the season's top teams at the upcoming season-ending race
in Fontana.
"Pit crews are an integral part of every race team," said John A. Lebbad, director of event marketing and sales promotion for Sears. "That's why we created a program to honor the work they do to safely and efficiently get their driver back on the track. The Craftsman Pit Crew Challenge is a true example of teamwork."
Run all season long, the Craftsman Pit Crew Challenge has been awarding points to each team in CART's FedEx Championship Series based on the amount of time spent in the pits. The less time in the pits, the more points each team earns. Total points awarded to a team are based on the first 19 races.
The top four qualifying pit crews for the Craftsman Pit Crew Challenge are Team Rahal (Max Papis - 161 points), Team KOOL Green (Paul Tracy - 151 points), Target/Chip Ganassi (Juan Montoya - 148 points) and Newman/Haas Racing (Michael Andretti - 143 points).
On Thursday, Oct. 28 at the California Speedway, these teams will compete against one another at 3:00 p.m. for one of two coveted spots in the final, head-to-head pit stop championship competition. Under the scrutiny of CART officials and with timing from Omega Timing & Scoring, the finalists will simulate pit stops under full race conditions.
The fastest team will be named the Craftsman Pit Crew` Champions and claim the Craftsman Pit Crew Challenge Trophy, a $50,000 cash bonus and the honor of wearing the Craftsman Pit Crew Challenge Championship logo on their uniforms during the 2000 CART season.
The trophy was created by Waterford Crystal of Waterford, Ireland. Valued at $16,000, it took two months to design and another month to carve. It will be presented along with a $50,000 check to the winning team.
"As the competition in Champ Car racing has become closer and closer, good pit stops have become more and more crucial," said three-time PPG Cup winner and Team Rahal owner Bobby Rahal. "A season-long competition like the Craftsman Pit Crew Challenge recognizes the value of our crews and the work they do, and gives them even more incentive to save that fraction of a second that can be the difference between winning and losing."
"Champ Car racing pit stops are some of the most intense and exciting moments in sports," said Andrew Craig, CART chairman and CEO. "The Craftsman Pit Crew Challenge is a terrific addition to our sport, and honors the crew members who so often provide the difference between a first- and second-place finish."
"The Craftsman Pit Crew Challenge is a great idea. It highlights the unsung heroes of our sport," said Derrick Walker, owner of Walker Racing. "The key element of winning today is the pit stops. This program highlights the competition in the pits and adds further excitement to our events."
Craftsman is the Official Tool of CART, NASCAR and NHRA, and has been part of motorsports for more than 72 years. Craftsman tools continue to be the top-selling mechanic and auto specialty tools in the U.S., with more than 1,800 Craftsman hand tools, all made in America and guaranteed forever. DieHard, America's most preferred battery brand, is a major supporter of NASCAR and the NHRA, and the Official Battery of CART.
DieHard has become a household word for long-lasting quality and durability, making it the most recognizable name in replacement automobile batteries. Visit www.sears.com/craftsman for more information.
Championship Auto Racing Teams, Inc. (NYSE: MPH) owns, operates and markets the FedEx Championship Series, which is comprised of 20 races in five countries on four continents in 1999. Drivers such as Michael Andretti, Adrian Fernandez, Dario Franchitti, Bryan Herta, Greg Moore, Al Unser, Jr. and Jimmy Vasser race 900-plus horsepower, open-wheel cars at speeds of more than 240 miles per hour on some circuits. CART also owns and operates its top two development series, the PPG-Dayton Indy Lights Championship and the KOOL/Toyota Atlantic Championship.
Source: CART News Service
