Rockingham World Pit Crew Competition preview

Record $100,000 purse posted for Union 76/Rockingham World Pit Crew Competition.

Rockingham, N.C. -- For NASCAR Winston Cup crewmembers, "time is money" on pit road. Nowhere else is that phrase more prevalent than at the annual Union 76/Rockingham World Pit Crew Competition.

Teams participating in the Union 76/Rockingham World Pit Crew Competition on November 2 at North Carolina Speedway will square off for a record purse of $100,000 which includes a $10,000 bonus being awarded to the team who sets a new world record.

"We've steadily increased the purse for this event each year," said Bill Joyner, Union 76 Director of Automotive Events and Performance Products. "Increasing the prize money only goes to show our commitment to the event and how important the crews are to us. The whole premise behind the pit crew competition is to provide the crews with an outlet to showcase their talent in an event devoted strictly to them."

The increased payout represents a 16 percent increase over the prize money posted in 2001. In addition, the $10,000 bonus being awarded for a new world record is 10 times greater than the bonus offered just one year ago.

One team stands the chance to walk away from this year's pit crew competition with a $40,000 check, provided they can win the event and set a new world record.

Matt Kenseth's pit crew are the defending champions and currently boast the world record time of 17.695 seconds.

Held annually during the fall race weekend at North Carolina Speedway since 1967, the object of the Union 76/World Pit Crew Competition is for each crew in the top 25 in NASCAR Winston Cup Series points to empty 14 gallons of 76 Gasoline into the car (two cans holding seven gallons each) and change both left- and right-side tires in as short a time as possible. Time penalties are assessed for various infractions including loose lug nuts, fuel spills and fuel left in the gas can. The team with the fastest time becomes the new world champion.

Children 12 and under will be admitted FREE to the General Admission section for Qualifying on Friday and Saturday's Sam's Club 200 and Union 76/Rockingham World Pit Crew Competition when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

Tickets may be purchased by calling the North Carolina Speedway ticket office at (910) 582-2861 or by visiting us online at www.northcarolinaspeedway.com. Telephone operator hours for North Carolina Speedway are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Get your tickets now and don't miss "Solid Racing at The Rock".... there's nothing else like it.

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