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NASCAR WCUP: A Little Pit Practice, Anyone?

24 June 1999

Most NASCAR Winston Cup teams practice pit stops each week, some as much as twice a day. Melling Racing is no exception, but some of the crew members, led by team manager Jeff Buice, put in a little extra time before each race.

Tire changers Steven Berry, 31; Kurt Binkley, 33; and Jason Pulver, 21, have a standard wheel hub mounted to the back of the "war wagon" -- the tool cart used by the team on pit road during the race. Before the green flag flies, the three crew members take turns with their air wrenches, tightening and loosening lug nuts dozens of times.

"It takes more than just a driver to make a team fast," said Jerry Nadeau, driver of the No. 9 Melling Racing Ford. "Our pit crew gives it their all, whether they are at the race track or at the shop. Our pit stops have really shown that recently, and I am really proud of them."

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