-
Home
-
Latest Headlines
-
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Latest Headlines: NASCAR
-
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
-
Latest Headlines: Moto-Racing
-
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
ALL-STAR: ‘Unsung Heroes’ The Focus Of Sprint Pit Crew Challenge
The spotlight shifts Thursday from NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers to their over-the-wall pit crew members...
“UNSUNG HEROES” TAKE CENTER STAGE TONIGHT IN NASCAR SPRINT PIT CREW CHALLENGE
The spotlight shifts Thursday from NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers to the men behind-the-scenes, their over-the-wall pit crew members, in the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge.
This event marks the one time each season the stage is theirs alone. Below, the SPEED crew weighs in on the significance of these few shining moments for the six men on each team.
Q: These six over-the-wall pit crew members execute hundreds of pit stops each season. What makes this event such a big deal to them and sets it apart from any other Sunday afternoon?
“The Pit Crew Challenge is their time in the spotlight and is their ‘All-Star’ event. They get to be in front of the cameras, whooping and hollering, showing their personalities and intensity. Some teams are bringing in ‘ringers’ who aren’t their usual over-the-wall pit crew members, which proves just how important the pit crew competition is to the teams, not only to win, but also for positioning them with the first pit stall selection for Saturday’s Sprint All-Star Race.”
--Bob Dillner, SPEED reporter
“The Pit Crew Challenge has been around forever but in a much different environment when it was held at Rockingham in the middle of race weekend. That was a great event but didn’t allow the pit crews shine to the degree they deserve. Now that it’s an all-night event solely focused on them, this is their chance to outshine the drivers. These guys are responsible for wins and losses every weekend, and one bad pit stop can keep a team out of Victory Lane. Pit crews are similar to offensive and defensive linemen in that they unjustly go unnoticed until something goes wrong, and this provides the perfect forum to watch things go right for them.”
--Krista Voda, NASCAR on FOX reporter/SPEED host
Q: Kevin Harvick indicated last weekend he isn’t a big fan of the Sprint Pit Crew Challenge, citing injuries to some of his pit crew guys in the competition in the past. Can you understand his position?
“He’s speaking specifically to an incident in which one of his key tire carriers jumped the wall in the competition and blew out his knee. Pushing the car 40 yards down the runway is something completely different than these guys do each weekend, and watching the 40-yard drag race as a fan is unbelievable. But as a pit coach, crew chief or driver, you just hold your breath and hope nothing happens to one of your guys because an injury could leave a hole in your team.”
--Matt Clark SPEED analyst and former pit crew coach
Q: NASCAR on Tuesday penalized Kurt Busch for what transpired at Darlington. Was the punishment was justified?
“Yes, Kurt should have been punished for what happened Saturday. That was the second time in his career he came down pit road angry and almost hit someone. A 3,500-pound race car is a potentially lethal weapon, and drivers can’t let their tempers get the best of them in these situations.”
--Tom Jensen, SPEED.com Editor-in-Chief
“I think the penalties are just right. Kurt was having a great top-10 run but spun out and his emotions took over. He was penalized not for the pit road scuffle after the race but for his reckless driving when he did a burnout in the No. 39’s pit stall, jeopardizing those crew members. Kurt is one of the best drivers in NASCAR but is hot-tempered, and he has to learn to control himself more. For the first time in a long time, I think probation really will mean something to him because he will be under the microscope more than ever before.”
--Bob Dillner, SPEED reporter
Q: Does last weekend’s actions and the resulting penalties hurt Kurt Busch’s marketability in his search for a top-tier ride?
“Kurt cannot have another blemish on his record, and this one hurts him. We all expected Kurt to turn to the opposite end of the spectrum this season and become ‘Mr. Happy,’ but we didn’t want him to lose his tenacity in the race car. However, we thought he’d be able to control his emotions better than he has. Potential team owners and sponsors will look not only at what he does on the race track, but what he does off the track, which could hurt him.”
--Bob Dillner, SPEED reporter
“Sure it does, and I’m not 100-percent certain Kurt still has top-team marketability. He will have to find the perfect combination of sponsor and car owner suited for him, and I don’t know if that’s out there.”
--Tom Jensen, SPEED.com Editor-in-Chief
The spotlight shifts Thursday from NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers to the men behind-the-scenes, their over-the-wall pit crew members, in the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge.
This event marks the one time each season the stage is theirs alone. Below, the SPEED crew weighs in on the significance of these few shining moments for the six men on each team.
Q: These six over-the-wall pit crew members execute hundreds of pit stops each season. What makes this event such a big deal to them and sets it apart from any other Sunday afternoon?
“The Pit Crew Challenge is their time in the spotlight and is their ‘All-Star’ event. They get to be in front of the cameras, whooping and hollering, showing their personalities and intensity. Some teams are bringing in ‘ringers’ who aren’t their usual over-the-wall pit crew members, which proves just how important the pit crew competition is to the teams, not only to win, but also for positioning them with the first pit stall selection for Saturday’s Sprint All-Star Race.”
--Bob Dillner, SPEED reporter
“The Pit Crew Challenge has been around forever but in a much different environment when it was held at Rockingham in the middle of race weekend. That was a great event but didn’t allow the pit crews shine to the degree they deserve. Now that it’s an all-night event solely focused on them, this is their chance to outshine the drivers. These guys are responsible for wins and losses every weekend, and one bad pit stop can keep a team out of Victory Lane. Pit crews are similar to offensive and defensive linemen in that they unjustly go unnoticed until something goes wrong, and this provides the perfect forum to watch things go right for them.”
--Krista Voda, NASCAR on FOX reporter/SPEED host
Q: Kevin Harvick indicated last weekend he isn’t a big fan of the Sprint Pit Crew Challenge, citing injuries to some of his pit crew guys in the competition in the past. Can you understand his position?
“He’s speaking specifically to an incident in which one of his key tire carriers jumped the wall in the competition and blew out his knee. Pushing the car 40 yards down the runway is something completely different than these guys do each weekend, and watching the 40-yard drag race as a fan is unbelievable. But as a pit coach, crew chief or driver, you just hold your breath and hope nothing happens to one of your guys because an injury could leave a hole in your team.”
--Matt Clark SPEED analyst and former pit crew coach
Q: NASCAR on Tuesday penalized Kurt Busch for what transpired at Darlington. Was the punishment was justified?
“Yes, Kurt should have been punished for what happened Saturday. That was the second time in his career he came down pit road angry and almost hit someone. A 3,500-pound race car is a potentially lethal weapon, and drivers can’t let their tempers get the best of them in these situations.”
--Tom Jensen, SPEED.com Editor-in-Chief
“I think the penalties are just right. Kurt was having a great top-10 run but spun out and his emotions took over. He was penalized not for the pit road scuffle after the race but for his reckless driving when he did a burnout in the No. 39’s pit stall, jeopardizing those crew members. Kurt is one of the best drivers in NASCAR but is hot-tempered, and he has to learn to control himself more. For the first time in a long time, I think probation really will mean something to him because he will be under the microscope more than ever before.”
--Bob Dillner, SPEED reporter
Q: Does last weekend’s actions and the resulting penalties hurt Kurt Busch’s marketability in his search for a top-tier ride?
“Kurt cannot have another blemish on his record, and this one hurts him. We all expected Kurt to turn to the opposite end of the spectrum this season and become ‘Mr. Happy,’ but we didn’t want him to lose his tenacity in the race car. However, we thought he’d be able to control his emotions better than he has. Potential team owners and sponsors will look not only at what he does on the race track, but what he does off the track, which could hurt him.”
--Bob Dillner, SPEED reporter
“Sure it does, and I’m not 100-percent certain Kurt still has top-team marketability. He will have to find the perfect combination of sponsor and car owner suited for him, and I don’t know if that’s out there.”
--Tom Jensen, SPEED.com Editor-in-Chief
LATEST HEADLINES: MOTO-RACING
-
AMA SBK: '13 Schedule Finalized
The late-season 'TBA' has officially been scrubbed from the 2013… -
AMA SBK: AMA Pro Invests In Airfence
AMA Pro Racing officials announced today that the company will be… -
PHOTOS: WSBK - Donington Park QP
Local favorite Tom Sykes was quickest in mixed conditions on the… -
WSBK: Donington Park QP Ticker
Notes and quotes following a wet opening day at Donington Park. -
AMA MX: FIM Contenders Set For Wild Card Appearance
FIM World Championship contenders Clement Desalle and Kevin Strijbos… -
WSBK: Sykes On Provisional Pole At Home
World Superbike's resident qualifying ace, Tom Sykes, posted the… -
AMA MX: Thunder Valley Stats
Facts and figures heading into this weekend's second round of the… - More News
