By: Deborah L. Robinson
who are the 20 all-time all-stars on pit road?
Mechanix Wear Launches Search for Top 20 Pit Crew Members of the Past 20 Years
Honorees to Be Recognized at the NASCAR Hall of Fame
LOS ANGELES – The men who do battle on pit road every weekend often do so in anonymity, toiling away to turn fast pit stops and keep their drivers in front of the field. But the contributions of these pit crew members to the progress and innovation in the sport have been many, from safety improvements to new pit stop processes to innovations in equipment.
Now, Mechanix Wear, the No. 1 glove in racing, is honoring the top 20 pit crew members of the last two decades as part of its celebration of the company’s 20th year in NASCAR. The “20 for 20” program is seeking input from past and current team members, crew chiefs, team owners, NASCAR officials and media members on the all-time all-stars of pit road.
The criteria for nomination include crew members who have:
· Worked on a NASCAR Sprint Cup team between 1991 and 2011
· Made improvements in safety of pit crew members
· Created innovations in equipment or how each task was performed
· Served as a leader and motivator for the team
· Developed new processes for team execution of the pit stop
· Consistently performed at the top of the sport
The top 20 nominees will be recognized quarterly during the year, and the entire class will be recognized in a Mechanix Wear Pit Road All-Stars display at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
“These team members have done so much to advance the sport and pave the way for pit crew members to be considered highly trained athletes who can make or break a driver’s success,” said Ted Abdon, director of motorsports for Mechanix Wear. “We’re proud to have been a part of this history and of the contributions they have made. We’re honored to work with NASCAR and the NASCAR Hall of Fame to recognize them with this unique award.”