The smooth choreography and consistent performance of Ty Gibbs’ pit crew led the No. 54 team to victory during the Pit Crew Challenge at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Their pit stop time was 13.012 seconds.
As such, Gibbs will start from pole position in the All-Star Open on Sunday morning as he vies for one of two available positions on the starting grid in Sunday night’s $1 million-to-win All-Star Race. The Joe Gibbs Racing pit crew also earned a $100,000 bonus for their winning effort.
“When we went to traditional pit stops, we were really focused on consistency,” commented pit stop coach Brian Haaland. “I actually put Chik-fil-A burritos on the line for the fastest stop yesterday — which the 54 won that also … We are a little bit on the inexperienced side, but we had mix of that on the 54 car today and we got a pretty awesome result.”
The challenge required drivers to wheel their car into a pit stall, with their respective crews then completing a four-tire pit stop with no fuel addition before exiting the pit stall to the timing line. The Pit Crew Challenge was once a staple on the NASCAR circuit, but hasn’t been performed regularly since the 1990s.
Though crew chief Chris Gayle is elated to see the No. 54 team surge above the rest, securing a race victory feels more urgent.
“I think we win a race on our own merit, and then I will feel more satisfied — and I’m sure Ty (Gibbs) would say the same thing,” Gayle said. “We had a two percent part in this one — Ty more than that — but me specifically. I want to win a race; that’s what I want to do.”
On the driver side of things, Gibbs has already put his head down as he prepares for the hard task ahead.
“It’s just what it is. I’m going to do the best that I can and race the best I can,” Gibbs commented. “It’d be a little bit nicer if it locked us into Sunday. But it helps us get a good shot to race our way in and go for a million bucks.”
But there are 14 other drivers who are just as anxious to qualify for the All-Star Race.
All-Star Open Starting Lineup
Gibbs will share the front row with Josh Berry. Corey LaJoie and Harrison Burton will start from row two.
Justin Haley and Michael McDowell will take up the third row; Todd Gilliland and Ryan Preece on fourth row; Aric Almirola and A.J. Allmendinger on fifth row; Josh Bilicki and Ty Dillon on sixth row; and Chandler Smith and Noah Gragson on seventh row.
J.J. Yeley is the final entry in the All-Star Open.