dewalt tools: LMS Charlotte Pit Crew Challenge preview

Twenty-four NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series pit crews scheduled to participate in skills competition

* Top pit crew and seven individual position champions to be determined


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 16, 2006) -- As the kick-off event to NASCAR's all-star week in Charlotte, N.C., the NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman focuses attention on drivers' seven-member pit crews.

Good, timely work in the pits can win or lose races, and Wednesday night's second annual competition at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena in Charlotte, N.C., is a time for those crew members to shine.A total of 24 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup pit crews will compete for an overall grand prize of $70,100. Each of the seven over-the-wall pit-crew positions will compete for a $10,000 prize. Kasey Kahne's (No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge) pit crew is the defending overall champion. The event begins at 7 p.m.

All tickets are $10; all seats are general admission.

"The NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge gives our fans the opportunity to see the top pit crews in action, by highlighting their performance in the skills competition and giving them the chance to display their talents at the highest level," says Robin Pemberton, NASCAR Vice President of Competition. "It also enables these team members to get some much deserved recognition for the outstanding job they do week in and week out, and it's a great lead-in to the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge this Saturday at Lowe's Motor Speedway."

The NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge will follow Friday night's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series' Quaker Steak & Lube 200 at LMS. NASCAR's all-star week concludes with Saturday night's 22nd annual NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge at LMS.

Pit crews and crew chiefs will be introduced Saturday evening at LMS with their drivers. First, however, they're featured Wednesday night with a four-round competition that determines the overall winner, plus individual position winners:

Round One: All crews compete in the individual skills competition, with the eight fastest crews advancing. During the individual skills competition, the fastest crew member at each of the seven pit-crew positions will win an individual title. Round Two: Crews compete head-to-head, with the four fastest advancing. Round Three: Crews compete head-to-head, with the two fastest advancing. Round Four: Crews compete head-to-head, with the fastest becoming the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge champion. NASCAR on FOX analyst Larry McReynolds -- a crew chief for 18 seasons -- says it's impossible to pick a favorite for Wednesday's competition, adding that any one of 15-20 teams could win.

"As tough as the competition is on the race track, the competition on pit road is just as tough," said McReynolds, citing the defending champions -- Kasey Kahne's pit crew -- as one to watch.

Other notables, according to McReynolds, are the pit crews for Matt Kenseth (No. 17 DEWALT Power Tools Ford), Kyle Busch (No. 5 Kellogg's Chevrolet) and Richard Childress Racing teammates Kevin Harvick (No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet) and Jeff Burton (No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet).

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