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CART: Craftsman Pit Crew Challenge Field Ready for Shootout

26 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
DETROIT - The final showdown is set for the 2000 Craftsman Pit Crew Challenge. Five teams in the CART FedEx Championship Series have qualified for the season-ending "Shoot Out" on Friday at the California Speedway in Fontana, Calif., as they battle in head-to-head competition prior to the Marlboro 500 Presented by Toyota.

"The Craftsman Pit Crew Challenge will be an exciting event that will truly test the abilities of these talented pit crews," said Hal Whiteford, CART President of Racing Operations. "The five finalists have already proven to be some of the best on the track throughout the season. We're happy to have Craftsman join us for a second year in recognizing the hard work of the individuals behind the car."

In a contest that began with the roar of engines at the March season-opener in Miami, five teams have emerged from the group of 20 to face one last challenge. The finalists are:

  • Patrick Racing No. 40 (driver Adrian Fernandez)
  • Player's Forsythe Racing Team No. 32 (driver Patrick Carpentier)
  • Patrick Racing No. 20 (driver Roberto Moreno)
  • PPI Motorsports No. 97 (driver Cristiano da Matta)
  • Team KOOL Green No. 26 (driver Paul Tracy)

Patrick Racing's No. 40 crew led the Craftsman Pit Crew Challenge race during the season, scoring in 15 events. The team demonstrates that quick stops can mean success on the track as they went from 10th to first in the standings, while driver Adrian Fernandez went from 10th to second in championship points. Player's Forsythe Racing Team No. 32 captured the wild card spot, proving to be the quickest in the pits at the Michigan 500, but the team would have qualified without the freebie after finishing second in points. Patrick Racing's No. 20 pit crew had the early lead during the season, but slipped to third after being shut out in the last pair of events. PPI Motorsports No. 97 and defending Craftsman Pit Crew Challenge champions Team KOOL Green No. 26 used consistency to move them into the final two slots. Three engine manufacturers will be represented, including Ford, Honda and Toyota, and tires for the event will be provided by Firestone.

Each pit crew accumulated points during the first 19 races on CART's 2000 schedule with the top four teams and one wild card unit emerging as the five finalists. Points were awarded for pit crew proficiency based on the actual time each car spent on pit lane during the races, as determined by CART's timing and scoring system - less time in the pits meant more points. The wildcard entry went to the overall fastest team at the Michigan 500 Presented by Toyota in July.

In the "Shoot Out," the points are thrown out and one team will walk away with $50,000 cash, the Craftsman Pit Crew Challenge trophy, and bragging rights as the best in the business. The event will take place on Friday, Oct. 27, from 5:05-5:35 p.m. at the California Speedway. After a brief warm up, each team will send a car out on the track simultaneously and the five entrants will have 15 minutes to make a minimum of three pit stops as the cars circle the track. Using a maximum of five crew members over the wall plus the driver, the team will correctly change four tires (no fuel) at each stop, following all CART competition and safety rules. The winning team will be determined by taking the average of the two best pit stop times.

"When the race is over, the winning driver sprays the champagne, but at Craftsman we remember that it was a team effort that got him to the podium," said Henry Ferris, Craftsman Brand Manager. "The Craftsman Pit Crew Challenge was created to recognize and acknowledge some of the best pit crews and mechanics in motorsports.

"The people who turn the wrenches in the CART FedEx Championship Series are among the most talented auto mechanics in the world, but they are also among the most demanding. If our 'Tough Tools' meet their standards, we know Craftsman is delivering quality products. That's why we are pleased to see Craftsman tools in the CART pits and garages," continued Ferris.

As CART's only "Official Tool Supplier," Craftsman supports top teams in the series with mechanic's tools and assists CART in key areas such as tool supplies and advertising support. In 2000, Craftsman continues to sponsor the Craftsman Pit Crew Challenge, which debuted in 1999, to recognize the efforts of motorsports' unsung heroes, the mechanics who build, maintain and service the race cars. CART teams compete all year to see who has the best pit crew on pit road. Last year, the pit crew for Team KOOL Green's #26 car led by Crew Chief Tony Cotman won the inaugural award.

Text Provided By Lisa Ramsperger

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