FASTEST ATHLETES ON PIT ROAD ARE NOT DRIVERS

Media Contact:

Kurt Culbert, 704-632-7960

Kurt.Culbert@sprint.com

 

                                

Fastest Athletes on Pit Road Are Not Drivers  

 


NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge Determines Top Talent on Pit Road


 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 17, 2006) - The No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet team
took top honors at the second annual NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge
presented by Craftsman, held at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena, where 24
competitors competed for the title as 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew
Champion.  Racing against the clock in team and individual skills
competitions, the teams battled through four rounds with only one team
remaining at the event's conclusion to be titled the best pit crew on
pit road.  

 

In the final round of competition, the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet
team defeated the No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge team with a time of
25.44 seconds to secure the championship. 

 

"This team is number one tonight," said Kevin Manion, crew chief of the
No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet. "We came in tonight as the underdog and
are leaving as a winner. The NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge is a really neat
deal for these guys. I've had more fun tonight than I've had since
Homestead."

 

The team received $70,100 in cash, as well as special leather jackets
and championship rings by Jostens, the same company to design four
decades of Super Bowl Championship rings.

 

Seven individual winners also were named for their respective positions.
Each winning crew member was awarded a Craftsman toolbox filled with
tools, along with a $10,000 cash prize, a special leather jacket and a
championship ring from Jostens. 

 

The NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman was
introduced in 2005 as an enhancement to the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star
Challenge activities, one of the nation's elite sporting events. The
only event of its kind officially sanctioned by NASCAR, this contest
pitted over-the-wall athletes against each other in seven head-to-head
skills competitions designed to showcase the talents of NASCAR's top
crew members. Components of the competition included individual and team
contests for tire changers, tire carriers, gas men, jack men and
catch-can men, with competitors earning more than $250,000 in guaranteed
cash and prizes. Eligible teams included those able to compete in the
NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge.

 

"Sprint Nextel congratulates all champions in the NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew
Challenge,"  said Tom Murphy, vice president of marketing and
sponsorships for Sprint Nextel. "In its second year, the event has
become the true measure of endurance, strength and overall athleticism
for these crew members.  Recognizing these talented individuals and
teams for their skills is fitting for a true all-star week. Events like
this don't happen without a team and we'd like to thank NASCAR,
Craftsman, Charlotte's Local Organizing Committee and the Charlotte
Bobcats organization for their efforts in making this event a reality."

 

The individual skills stations were set up as pit boxes, each with a
full-size NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series car. All team members began
simultaneously at the sound of a starter's tone and hit a stop button
positioned on pit wall as they left their respective pit box, marking
their individual split time. 

 

Individual winners from each component were:

Front-tire changer:                  Jason Pulver         No. 29
14.41

Front-tire carrier:                     Josh Mick              No. 29
14.41

 

Rear-tire changer:                   Kyle Turner           No. 9
14.84 

Rear-tire carrier:                      Don Marvel           No. 9
14.84

 

Jack man:                                Jeff Kerr                No. 1
6.42

 

Gas man:                                  Jeff Patterson       No. 20
14.20

Catch-Can man:                       Brian Larson         No. 20
14.20

 

Fans across the country can see the top teams in action during a special
presentation of the NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge. The 90-minute show
will air on SPEED at 6 p.m. EDT leading into the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star
Challenge on May 20. MRN radio also will broadcast event highlights
during its pre-race show on May 20 at 6:15 p.m. EDT.

 

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline
communications services to consumer, business and government customers.
Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and
deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless
networks offering industry leading mobile data services; instant
national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and an
award-winning and global Tier 1 Internet backbone.  For more
information, visit www.sprint.com.

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