NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge Report

The Michael Waltrip Racing Sprint Cup Series pit crews took center stage Thursday night at Time Warner Cable Arena in downtown Charlotte in the eighth annual NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge. All three MWR teams advanced to the round of 16 in the head-to-head competition before elimination.

The six-member pit crews compete in a simulation pit stop with more than $600,000 in prize money on the line.

The No. 15 5-hour ENERGY team defeated the No. 78 team 26.456 to 35.014 seconds in the first round. In the second round the No. 15 appeared to beat the No. 88 when it crossed the finish line less than a second before the No. 88. But, a three-second penalty for loose lug nuts on the No. 15 gave the victory to the No. 88 team.

The No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS team enjoyed a bye in the first round but lost to the No. 20 in the second round 23.19 to 23.66 seconds.

The No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine team defeated the No. 51 in the first round 23.76 to 33.59 seconds. In the second round the No. 17 defeated the No. 55 23.10 to 28.91 seconds.

The No. 48 pit crew survived five rounds of competition to win the 2012 title.

Practice and qualifying begin Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Sprint Showdown and All Star Race on Saturday night.