VALENCIA, Calif., (December 1, 2008) - A key component of the No 48 Lowe's Chevrolet team's championship formula is the performance of the over-the-wall crew. In the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup, Jimmie Johnson's performance on the track was matched with near perfection on pit road by the pit crew. The result was a third consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship for Johnson and the Hendrick Motorsports team which equaled the 30-year record established by Cale Yarborough (1976-1978). For their effort on pit road, the No. 48 crew has earned the Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award for the third time and second consecutive year. No other team has won the honor more than once in the seven-year history of the award.
The Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award is given quarterly during the season with those four winners eligible for the year-end Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award and a check for $100,000. The quarterly and year-end recipients are determined by a vote of NASCAR Sprint Cup crew chiefs. The presentation will be made at the 2008 NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association Myers Brothers Media Luncheon at Cipriani in New York City on Thursday (Dec. 4).
“It takes an entire team to be successful in this sport and my over-the-wall guys are awesome,” said Johnson. “I know each time I come down pit road that they're going to do their jobs and help me win the race. They definitely deserve to be the pit crew of the year and I'm proud to have them on this Lowe's team.”
The No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team, led by crew chief Chad Knaus, swept fourth-quarter honors last year en route to its second year-end award and $100,000 bonus. The team also won in 2004.
“This crew is unbelievable,” said Knaus. “They're some of the best on pit road. They step up in tough situations and always pull through when we need them most. I'm proud of each of them and think it's great that Mechanix Wear is recognizing their hard work.”
In the 10 races that made up the Chase, the 48 team had only two finishes (15th at Texas and Homestead-Miami) outside the top 10. Johnson had three wins and a pair of seconds and finished the season with seven trips to victory lane, 15 top-five and 22 top-10 finishes.
“The Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award was created to recognize the men and women who pride themselves on working together for a common goal,” said Ted Abdon, Mechanix Wear director of racing. “The No. 48 over-the-wall crew demonstrated once again its commitment to excellence. Working together as a cohesive unit, the stops were quick. The execution was precise. The results were impressive. The dedication to detail once again earned the 48 crew the respect of their peers.
“The Lowe's over-the-wall pit crew embodies what it means to be a team. We are proud to present this award to them for their hard work and dedication throughout the Championship season." Greg Morin is the pit crew coach. “I think it's great that Mechanix Wear has chosen to recognize this crew,” said Morin. “They have worked very hard this year to perform at the level they do during each pit stop. These guys have put in a lot of hours conditioning in the gym and training at pit practice, not to mention the hours they put in on the shop floor. To start the season as a new group, work as hard as they have and achieve the results they've achieved is amazing. I'm very proud of this program and of these guys. They certainly deserve all the recognition they get.”
The first-quarter winner was the No. 18 M&M's over-the-wall
crew from Joe Gibbs Racing while the No. 9 Budweiser Dodge team from Gillett Evernham Motorsports prevailed in the second quarter. Third-quarter honors went to the No. 99 crew from Roush Fenway Racing. The No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet team emerged the fourth-quarter winner.
VALENCIA, Calif., (November 13, 2008) - The No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet team from Hendrick Motorsports put together a string of seven consecutive top-10 finishes including two wins to earn four-quarter honors in the Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award competition. The eight-race fourth quarter began with New Hampshire and ended at Texas.
The Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award has been given quarterly throughout the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. The winning pit crew was determined by a vote of each team's crew chief. The four quarterly winners are eligible for the year-end Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award and a check for $100,000. The presentation will be made at the 2008 NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association Myers Brothers Media Luncheon in New York City in December. The voting for the overall winner from among the four quarterly winners will take place this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway..
VALENCIA, Calif., (September 19, 2008) - The No. 99 Office Depot Ford over-the-wall team from Roush Fenway Racing has earned third-quarter honors in the 2008 Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award competition. The No. 99 crew is the third team to qualify for the 2008 Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award title.
The Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award is given quarterly throughout the NASCAR Sprint Cup season. At the end of each quarter, the winning pit crew is determined by a vote of each team's crew chief. The four quarterly winners are eligible for the year-end Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award and a check for $100,000. The presentation will be made at the 2008 NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association Myers Brothers Media Luncheon in New York City in December.
During the nine-race third quarter that started at Daytona in July and ended at Richmond, the No. 99 Office Depot Ford, driven by Carl Edwards, visited victory lane three times, was second twice and recorded seven top-10 finishes. While Edwards was getting the job done on the track and perfecting his signature back flip off the car following a victory, crew chief Bob Osborne's over-the-wall gang was performing flawlessly on pit road.
"The No. 99 crew has been doing an outstanding job all year,” said Andrew Carter, pit crew coach for the team. “They are putting in a lot of extra work and it is really starting to show up at the race track. The guys are very dedicated and one of the hardest working pit crews I have had the privilege to coach. They have overcome some big obstacles together this year, and they are peaking at just the right time in the season. They are showing everyone that they are one of the best teams on pit road."
Three drivers dominated the nine races during the quarter. In addition to Edwards, Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson also won three events. Busch's No. 18 M&M's team was the first quarter winner while the No. 9 Budweiser team claimed second-quarter honors.
“The performance of the No. 99 Office Depot pit crew was outstanding,” said Ted Abdon, Mechanix Wear director of racing. “Winning at the NASCAR Sprint Cup level requires a flawless team effort and the Office Depot over-the-wall crew answered the call and helped Carl Edwards score more points than any other driver during those nine races. Mechanix Wear is proud to honor this outstanding team as a Most Valuable Pit Crew Award finalist.” Edwards accumulated 1,409 points during the quarter while Busch had 1,382 and Johnson 1,356.
2008 Quarterly Winners
Quarter Crew Team
1st No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing
2nd No. 9 Gillett Evernham
3rd No. 99 Roush Fenway Racing
Gloves Are Tools? Yes! When I say Mechanix Wear, most of you know what I’m talking about. For those that don’t, think gloves. No, not dish washing gloves, I’m talking about Shop Gloves! Rarely can you go into a parts store or hardware store without seeing the Mechanix brand on the shelves, and I am a sucker for quality gloves. I use them for all sorts of projects, from protecting my hands when fabricating or welding, to getting a better grip on parts when I’m wrenching on my rig, to keeping my hands warm while working in the cold. We all know that you can buy cheap no-name gloves, but you really do get what you pay for. When I spend money on a tool (which is what gloves really are), I expect it to perform, to last, and to help me do my work. Every pair of Mechanix gloves represents a total commitment to its intended use. There is a lot of dedication and pride in each pair they manufacture, and it all adds up to superior performing products.
Currently I own the following pairs:
I know, I know, some of you are saying ‘why in the world have so many gloves’? Well, over the years I’ve completely thrashed several pairs of Mechanix gloves using one pair for everything. They worked great until I got them into a pool of transmission fluid or Antifreeze. They still worked well afterwards, but that makes the one pair a little hard to use for tasks where you need clean gloves. So, I learned that it’s better to have a specific pair for specific tasks. Oh, and I still have the old trans-fluid and antifreeze-soaked gloves, and keep them around to use on other transmission fluid or antifreeze related projects. I try to budget one pair every other month, unless they are on sale and then I’ll pick up a few at a time.
So which pair is my favorite? Hands down, the Fabricator Gloves are my ABSOLUTE FAVORITES! I use them when I am cutting metal on the chop saw; I use them when welding; I use them when cutting on body parts; I use them when test fitting metal fabrication projects; heck, I use these things almost all the time. There is something very comforting about wearing a pair of gloves and knowing that your hands are protected from sharp objects, heat, sparks, cuts, etc. I was lying under a rig a few weeks ago using a cut-off wheel to slice through some DOM tubing. The cutoff wheel kicked back and the blade slid down quickly and hit my fingers, and the gloves completely protected them. There were only a few slight scuffs on the gloves, and my hands were completely untouched. Had I not been wearing those gloves, I’d have been at the hospital getting more than a few stitches. It’s times like that when I feel very comfortable buying quality gloves, not cheap junk that won’t really protect my hands.
I like the fact that Mechanix Wear® gloves are for more than just professionals, they are for everyone. I even use mine around the house for honey-do projects. And I’m willing to bet that many of you don’t know that they even make gloves for your wife to use while gardening! Ask me how I know……
When it comes down to it, I feel that Mechanix gloves are a shop tool that every needs, whether it is one pair or 10 pairs. They are a great addition to your shop, and they’ll keep your hands clean and safe.
For more info, visit their website at www.mechanix.com/us.
Jeep Junkie Magazine • www.JeepJunkie.com
VALENCIA, Calif., (August 1, 2008) - The No. 9 Budweiser Dodge team from Gillett Evernham Motorsports put together one of the most remarkable streaks of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season during a five-week span in late May and early June. During the period, Kasey Kahne won the Sprint Cup All-Star event, two regular-season point races and finished second in another race to move from 14th to seventh in the driver standings. Kahne's performance on the track was matched by the flawless effort of the Bud Crew on pit road. That performance has earned the No. 9 over-the-wall team second-quarter accolades and a berth as the second of four finalists for the 2008 Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award.
The Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award is given quarterly throughout the NASCAR Sprint Cup season. At the end of each quarter, the winning pit crew is determined by a vote of each team's crew chief. The four quarterly winners are eligible for the year-end Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award and a check for $100,000. The presentation will be made at the 2008 NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association Myers Brothers Media Luncheon in New York City in December.
Following the win in the Sprint All-Star race, Kahne started second and led 66 laps en route to victory in longest race on the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule, the 600-mile Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Kahne was a victim in an 11-car mishap on the 18th lap at Dover seven days later, but the disappointment didn't last long as he bounced back the next week at Pocono, taking the win after starting from the pole. He followed up with a runner-up finish one week later at Michigan.
“The pit stops were awesome during those races,” Kahne said. “Kenny (Francis, team director) and our Budweiser team gave us great racecars and the pit crew made it a total package. It was a complete team effort.”
Today, races are won by the thinnest of margins. A fast pit stop can alter a race's outcome. A team can have a strong car and a skillful driver, but without consistent pit stops, victory can be elusive.
Pit Road Warriors
Leonard Wood and the Wood Brothers are credited with revolutionizing pit road. Ray Evernham turned it into a precise art, replacing the traditional crew that worked on the race cars at the shop during the week and on the pit crew during the race. Evernham brought in quick, agile athletes seeking fraction-of-a-second gains on the competition on pit road.
"There are no real big gains in the equipment anymore," said Evernham, co-owner of Gillett Evernham Motorsports who built one of the sport's best pit crews for Jeff Gordon in the 1990s before launching Dodge's return to NASCAR in 2001. “It's in the choreography and in the physical ability of the pit crew members."
This Bud's for Crew
Brett Cumming is the pit crew coach for the No. 9 Budweiser team as well as the crews for Kahne's stable mates, Elliott Sadler and Patrick Carpentier.
“The team's performance is a reflection of our operations and what they do here at Gillett Evernham Motorsports during the week,” said Cumming. “This team works hard and prepares all week to go out on Sunday's and execute our strategy. Our objective is to get all three teams performing at that level so each can challenge for such awards and accolades. We appreciate our peers recognizing the No. 9 crew for this award, our sponsors and Mechanix Wear for developing a program that rewards the efforts of the pit crews.”
Cumming's weekly routine includes strength and conditioning program as well as pit stop practices.
"Half of our victory is gained from executing strategy, performing good pit stops, and giving the driver a real chance at winning; the other half is through synergizing the front and the rear team together as one kinetic force," explains Cumming.
NO. 9 BUDWEISER DODGE TEAM
Name Position
Brett Cumming- Pit Crew Coach
Eric Wilson - Jackman
John Royer Front-Tire Changer
Jason Gay Front-Tire Carrier
Jim Carbon Rear-Tire Changer
Kevin Duncan Rear-Tire Carrier
Mark “Tank” Probus Gas man
Rick Pennington Catch Can
Kenny Francis Team Director
This is a video from Circle Track Magazines website that shows a rebuild of a dirt late model race car. As you will see they are great supporters of Mechanix Wear and proud to wear our gloves throughout the video.
http://www.circletrack.com/car_racing_videos/6202741/radiator_replacement_project_dirt_late_model/index.html
VALENICA, Calif. (June 3, 2008) - This Father's Day, as you remember the times that Dad lent his valuable hands to help with a move, yard project or home improvement, return the favor with a new pair of Mechanix Wear Commercial Grade (CG) Series work gloves. The CG Series comes in a variety of styles to provide high-quality protection no matter the task at hand.
“Father's Day is a time to give back and reward the Dad in your life for all his hard work at home and in his profession,” said Bari Waalk, Mechanix Wear's marketing guy. “Mechanix Wear high-performance work gloves make a great gift for any dad that owns a toolbox. Whether he is Mr. Fix It, a weekend warrior, serious do-it-yourselfer or a hard-working construction or automotive professional - Mechanix Wear offers high-performance work gloves to fit his every need.”
Father's Day gift ideas include:
Jack of all Trades: The Mechanix Wear CG Utility work glove is perfect for the dad that is handy around the house, yard and garage - the ultimate all-around performer. The CG Utility fits any task where general protection and extra grip are necessary. The GC Utility offers a wide-opening elastic cuff to make it easy to pull on and improves overall comfort. Mechanix Wear's unique fingertip design relocates otherwise intrusive seams. The thumb, index, middle and ring fingers are covered by embossed Genuine Leather to lend protection and provide an increased measure of durability. MSRP: $19.99.
Dad who makes an Impact: The Mechanix Wear CG Impact Pro work glove is like buying extra time for the long days on the job. It's a high-endurance glove designed with extra padding and protection to fight against long term fatigue and stress that can occur when using tools and heavy equipment. The CG Impact Pro features a molded rubber ribbing on the top of the hand and knuckles to form a flexible exoskeleton that supports and protect the hand as it moves. Double layered leather protection on the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers further protect against vulnerable fingers. Dual layer palm panels with extra padding along the middle of the palm fight fatigue and prevent blisters that can otherwise stop work early. MSRP: $34.99.
All Mechanix Wear CG Series work gloves range from S-XXL, feature Genuine Leather for natural durability and MWX-2 Clarino synthetic leather to protect and provide grip. Mechanix Wear CG gloves are available at Lowe's Home Improvement or online at www.Mechanix.com.