12 Pit Crews That Changed the Game (And the Speed of Racing)
Learn about the amazing things pit crews have done for NASCAR and other motorsports.
- Tricia Quitales
- 5 min read
Pit crews are in charge of keeping the cars in good shape and making racing much faster and more efficient. This article discusses 12 famous pit crews that have changed the way pit stops are done, making them faster, more strategic, and an important part of a driver’s success on the track.
1. Pit Crews That Changed the Game (And the Speed of Racing)
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In NASCAR, the pit crew for Hendrick Motorsports is famous for being fast and accurate. Because the team is so focused on getting things right, its pit stops are always some of the fastest in the sport. They’ve helped drivers like Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Chase Elliott win more than one championship.
2. The Joe Gibbs Racing Pit Crew – A Well-Oiled Machine
U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class Candice Hale on Wikimedia
The pit crew at Joe Gibbs Racing has always been known for being quick and reliable. Some of the team’s many championships come from how quickly they change tires and how well they run during stops. Legendary drivers like Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin have won many races thanks to their accuracy under pressure.
3. The Penske Racing Pit Crew – Efficiency and Innovation
Carol M. Highsmith on Wikimedia
The pit crew at Penske Racing is known for being both efficient and creative, which has given them an edge in NASCAR. Their crew has been very important to their team’s wins because they can change tires and refuel in record time. Their skilled work in the pits has helped drivers like Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano.
4. The Roush Fenway Racing Pit Crew – Speed Meets Precision
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The pit crew at Roush Fenway Racing is known for being one of NASCAR’s fastest and most accurate. They can make almost perfect pit stops, which helps drivers like Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth compete at the highest level. Their speed and accuracy have often made the difference in close races.
5. The Richard Childress Racing Pit Crew – Efficiency Under Pressure
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NASCAR’s pit crew for Richard Childress Racing is another great example of how to do things right. The team is known for staying calm under pressure, and their pit stops are always precisely done. People who drive this way, like Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Austin Dillon, have had much success on the track.
6. The Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Pit Crew – Speed and Strategy
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The Earnhardt Ganassi Racing pit crew was known for developing new ideas and making quick pit stops. Drivers like Juan Pablo Montoya and Jamie McMurray did well in competitive races because they could act quickly and do everything perfectly. Their pit crew got extra praise for how well they changed tires, which helped them gain valuable seconds on the track.
7. The Chip Ganassi Racing Pit Crew – Consistency and Excellence
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The pit crew at Chip Ganassi Racing is praised for being consistent and doing a great job. The crew’s ability to maintain a high level of performance throughout each race has helped drivers like Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan win many races. The crew is one of the best in NASCAR because they pay close attention to every detail and work hard to get things done quickly.
8. The Michael Waltrip Racing Pit Crew – Fast and Focused
Carol M. Highsmith on Wikimedia
Many people knew Michael Waltrip Racing’s pit crew for how fast and focused they were when things were important. They could change tires and fuel very quickly, which helped drivers like Martin Truex Jr. do their best. It became known that the crew could stay focused during pit stops, even when things got really tough.
9. The Wood Brothers Racing Pit Crew – The Originators of Speed
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Wood Brothers Racing is one of the oldest NASCAR teams, and its pit crew is known for inventing many of the methods still used today. With their lightning-fast tire changes, the team forever changed how races are won. The team’s quick pit stops were a big part of their success in the 1960s and after.
10. The Stewart-Haas Racing Pit Crew – Speed and Precision Perfected
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It is well known that Stewart-Haas Racing’s pit crew always makes quick and accurate stops. When Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer are behind the wheel, their crew is an important part of their success on the track. People often say their pit stops are smooth, with no extra time or movement.
11. The Front Row Motorsports Pit Crew – Efficiency at Its Best
Tech. Sgt. Chuck Walker on Wikimedia
Front Row Motorsports is known for being efficient, and its pit crew often finds ways to make the most of what it has. Even though it doesn’t have as much money as some of the bigger teams, its pit crew always makes quick and good stops. Drivers like David Ragan and Michael McDowell have been able to stay competitive by doing well under pressure.
12. The Team Penske IndyCar Pit Crew – A Different Kind of Speed
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Even though Team Penske’s IndyCar pit crew isn’t just for NASCAR, its lightning-fast stops affect NASCAR pit crews. Their work on the tight pit roads and high speeds of IndyCar has changed how all pit crews do their jobs. There is no doubt that they have had an impact on NASCAR pit crews, as many of the techniques used there come from open-wheel racing.