Mark Martin: “The U.S. Army over-the-wall crew has been unbelievable this year”
With 10 races remaining in the NASCAR® Nextel Cup schedule, Mark Martin’s No. 01 and Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 over-the-wall crews are tied for first place in the season-long Checkers®/Rally’s® Double Drive-Thru Challenge competition.
Both the No. 01 and No. 24 crews have collected four wins this season. Denny Hamlin’s crew follows with three wins, while five other teams have each grabbed two victories a piece. A total of 13 different Nextel Cup crews have claimed at least one victory this season in the weekly Double Drive-Thru Challenge.
“The Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge is a great way to honor the unsung heroes of this sport, ” said Mark Martin, driver of the No. 01 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet®. “NASCAR is all about teamwork and I think it’s wonderful that there’s a competition to highlight the hard work the pit crew members put in. The U. S. Army over-the-wall crew has been unbelievable this year and I’m glad they’re being recognized for their strong performances. “
Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge focuses on the team element of the race that is integral to successful performances each week. To win, teams are required to finish on the lead lap and must spend the least amount of time on pit road.
Each week, an $11,000 prize is awarded to the winner of the Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge. An additional $111,150 will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule. The total prize money that will be paid out to Nextel Cup crews by Checkers/Rally’s in 2007 will be $507,150.
“Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge is as exciting as ever heading into the season’s homestretch, ” said Jason Wonderly, Sports Marketing Manager at Checkers Drive-In Restaurants “With so many teams within reach of the lead, the intensity is sure to be high on pit road for the remainder of the season. We are thrilled to showcase pit crew members who contribute to the teamwork that helps make their teams successful. ”
Checkers/Rally’s will also reward a combined $157,500 throughout the season to the NASCAR Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series Double Drive-Thru Challenges.
With five total wins in the first 28 events, Scott Wimmer’s No. 29 over-the-wall crew is leading the pit crew challenge standings in the NASCAR Busch Series. Marcos Ambrose’s and Paul Menard’s teams are tied for second place with four wins each.
Mike Skinner’s team has secured first place in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge competition by taking top honors at four events. Johnny Benson’s team is in second with two wins.
2007 Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge Standings – Nextel Cup Series
Pos Car No. Pit Crew Wins Prize Money
T1 24 Jeff Gordon 4 44,000
T1 01Mark Martin 4 44,000
T3 11 Denny Hamlin 3 33,000
T4 48 Jimmie Johnson 2 22,000
T4 29 Kevin Harvick 2 22,000
T4 12 Ryan Newman 2 22,000
T4 2 Kurt Busch 2 22,000
T4 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2 22,000
T9 5 Kyle Busch 1 11,000
T9 25 Casey Mears 1 11,000
T9 41 Reed Sorenson 1 11,000
T9 1 Martin Truex 1 11,000
T9 07 Clint Bowyer 1 11,000
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