Pit Stop Challenge
{{Short description|Competition in Speedway, Indiana}}
{{Featured list}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox sports award
| name = Pit Stop Challenge
| image = File:Pit stop competition (47966306662).jpg
| alt = Pit crews participating in the 2019 Pit Stop Challenge
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Action during the 2019 Pit Stop Challenge
| sport = American open-wheel car racing
| competition = Pit stop contest
| discipline = IndyCar Series
| givenfor = Outstanding performance by a pit crew
| first = 1977
| mostwins = Team Penske (19)
| firstwinner = Jim McElreath (Carillo Racing)
| mostrecent = Josef Newgarden (Team Penske)
}}
The Pit Stop Challenge is a single elimination, pit stop competition held two days before the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana and after the final practice session on Carb Day.{{efn|From 1977 to 2004, the event was held three days before the race on Thursday. Starting in 2005, Carb Day was moved to Friday and the event moved to Friday along with the Freedom 100, an Indy Lights race.}}{{cite web|last=Marquis|first=Thomas|title=Miller Lite Carb Day 2018 is here|url=https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/racing-news/44053-miller-lite-carb-day-2018-is-here|publisher=Speedway Digest|date=May 25, 2018|access-date=May 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127043748/https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/racing-news/44053-miller-lite-carb-day-2018-is-here|archive-date=November 27, 2022}}
{{cite web|last=Marquis|first=Thomas|title=It's Carb Day at IMS|url=https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/speedway-news/50290-it-s-carb-dayat-ims|publisher=Speedway Digest|date=May 24, 2019|access-date=May 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603084330/https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/speedway-news/50290-it-s-carb-dayat-ims|archive-date=June 3, 2019}}{{Sfn|Ash|2010|p=273}}{{Cite web |last=Spinelli |first=Mike |date=May 25, 2017 |title=How Does an IndyCar Pit Crew Train For 7 Seconds of Glory? |url=https://www.thedrive.com/video/10677/how-does-an-indycar-pit-crew-train-for-7-seconds-of-glory |access-date=May 25, 2023 |publisher=The Drive |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327034602/https://www.thedrive.com/video/10677/how-does-an-indycar-pit-crew-train-for-7-seconds-of-glory |url-status=live }} First held in 1977, the contest has pit crews compete head-to-head in single-round eliminations for three rounds. In each round they conduct a standard pit stop—switching all four tires on a racing vehicle and simulating refuelling via a fuel hose connection to the fuel tank—in the shortest possible time in a drag race-style event that happens in a specially constructed dual pit lane.{{efn|Previously, tire fitting was restricted to a racing car's right-hand side.{{cite news|title=Mears' crew wins pit competition|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114349934/1983-indy-500-pit-stop-challenge/|work=Florida Today|page=4C|date=May 27, 1983|access-date=December 10, 2022|via=Newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209215344/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114349934/1983-indy-500-pit-stop-challenge/|url-status=live}}}} Each round commences with the green lights being illuminated to signal to both drivers who are lined up side-by-side to begin from a standing start.{{cite web|title=Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge|url=https://racer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/85/2023/05/2023-Pit-Stop-Challenge-Results.pdf|publisher=IndyCar Series|date=May 26, 2022|access-date=May 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527085417/https://racer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/85/2023/05/2023-Pit-Stop-Challenge-Results.pdf|archive-date=May 27, 2023}} They enter the pit box and stop there before crossing the finish line, which is {{convert|200|ft|m|abbr=on}} away, as fast as possible. During the competition, no fuel is used,{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Paul |date=May 23, 2006 |title=New Format, Larger Purse Add Excitement To Pit Stop Challenge |url=http://www.indy500.com/news/story.php?story_id=6664 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060810175051/http://www.indy500.com/news/story.php?story_id=6664 |archive-date=August 10, 2006 |access-date=December 22, 2006 |publisher=Indianapolis Motor Speedway}} and all pit stops must last for a minimum of three seconds.{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Eric |date=May 26, 2004 |title=Miller Lite Carb Day Offers Practice, Pit Stop Challenge, Concert Fun |url=http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/ims/news/story.php?story_id=2869&page=story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040625102923/http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/ims/news/story.php?story_id=2869&page=story |archive-date=June 25, 2004 |access-date=May 25, 2023 |publisher=Indianapolis Motor Speedway}} The time a team's car spends in its pit box determines the winner, and the fastest team in each pairing advances to the next round.{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Ethan |date=May 24, 2018 |title=Top Crews To Compete for Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge on Miller Lite Carb Day |url=https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/news-multimedia/news/2018/05/24/top-crews-to-compete-for-pit-stop-challenge-on-carb-day-2018 |access-date=December 10, 2022 |publisher=Indianapolis Motor Speedway |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209131621/https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/news-multimedia/news/2018/05/24/top-crews-to-compete-for-pit-stop-challenge-on-carb-day-2018 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Callahan |first1=Terry |last2=Kelly |first2=Paul |date=May 2, 2000 |title=Indy 500: Coors Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge Grows To Include 12 Teams |url=https://www.theautochannel.com/news/date/20000501/news014445.html |access-date=December 10, 2022 |publisher=The Auto Channel |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210113439/https://www.theautochannel.com/news/date/20000501/news014445.html |url-status=live }} Squads may be assessed time penalties if they exit their pit box with an incorrectly fitted tire, if pit crews or equipment leave their designated area, or if a driver runs over pit equipment such as an air hose.{{Cite web |date=May 22, 2009 |title=Indy 500: Pit Stop Challenge preview |url=https://us.motorsport.com/indycar/news/indy-500-pit-stop-challenge-preview/2929327/ |access-date=May 25, 2023 |publisher=Motorsport.com |archive-date=May 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230525192030/https://us.motorsport.com/indycar/news/indy-500-pit-stop-challenge-preview/2929327/ |url-status=live }}
Since 2017, the top two teams have competed in a three-round final. The team with the fastest time in the semi-finals gets to select their preferred lane for the final, and the team with the fastest time in the final gets to choose their favored lane for the third and deciding round.{{Cite web |last=Sribhen |first=Arni |date=May 25, 2017 |title=New TAG Heuer Pit Stop Competition format features best-of-three final |url=https://www.indycar.com/News/2017/05/05-25-Pit-stop-preview |access-date=December 10, 2022 |publisher=IndyCar Series |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209131621/https://www.indycar.com/News/2017/05/05-25-Pit-stop-preview |url-status=live }} The tournament bracket is decided by a blind draw, and the top four teams receive a bye from the first round to the quarter-finals, with the remaining squads beginning in the first round.{{Cite web |last=Sturbin |first=John |date=May 17, 2012 |title=Wheldon To Be Honored During Pre-500 Festivities |url=http://www.racintoday.com/archives/35463 |access-date=December 10, 2022 |publisher=Racin' Today |archive-date=February 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217205352/http://www.racintoday.com/archives/35463 |url-status=live }} Contest participants are selected from IndyCar Series-registered teams and Indianapolis 500 entrants. Qualification for the contest is based on pit stop performance after the last Indianapolis 500, current season IndyCar entrant standings positions, and one-off Indianapolis 500 entries.{{efn|Previous criteria included pit stop time trials held during the race week and a selection made by the race's promoter.}}{{Cite web |date=May 25, 2022 |title=Crews Take Spotlight in Ruoff Mortgage Pit Stop Challenge |url=https://www.indycar.com/news/2022/05/05-25-pitstop |access-date=December 10, 2022 |publisher=IndyCar Series |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209215318/https://www.indycar.com/news/2022/05/05-25-pitstop |url-status=live }} The winning team and driver share the winners' prize of $50,000 from $150,000 total prize money.{{efn|The prize money given to the winning team has been variously set at $8,250, $10,000, $20,000, $25,000, $35,000, $37,500, $40,000, and $42,500.}} Each crew member receives pit lane equipment from prize donors at a Gasoline Alley giveaway as well as Jostens custom-designed rings.{{Cite web |last=Pruett |first=Marshall |date=May 25, 2022 |title=The hidden tradition behind the Indy 500 Pit Stop Competition |url=https://racer.com/2022/05/25/the-hidden-tradition-behind-the-indy-500-pit-stop-competition/ |access-date=December 10, 2022 |website=Racer |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210113434/https://racer.com/2022/05/25/the-hidden-tradition-behind-the-indy-500-pit-stop-competition/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=May 25, 2023 |title=Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge To Feature 16 Elite Crews |url=https://www.indycar.com/News/2023/05/05-25-PitStop-Preview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527060332/https://www.indycar.com/News/2023/05/05-25-PitStop-Preview |archive-date=May 27, 2023 |access-date=May 27, 2023 |publisher=IndyCar Series}}
The competition allows pit crews for the Indianapolis 500 to adjust their routines, practice to reduce errors, and become acquainted with their pit lane box.{{Cite news |last1=Rafford |first1=Claire |last2=Mitchell |first2=Dawn |date=May 26, 2022 |title=Why it's called Carb Day when Indy cars don't use carburetors |page=2W |work=The Indianapolis Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114342663/2022-indy-500-carb-day-the/ |access-date=December 10, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com {{open access}} |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209131618/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114342663/2022-indy-500-carb-day-the/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news|title=Pit crews tune vital teamwork|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114390920/1992-indy-500-pit-crews-story-daily/|work=Daily Press|page=C6|date=May 21, 1992|access-date=December 10, 2022|via=Newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=December 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210113434/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114390920/1992-indy-500-pit-crews-story-daily/|url-status=live}} Past sponsors of the competition include Miller, Coors, Checkers/Rally's, McDonald's, Izod, TAG Heuer, and Ruoff Mortgage. It was canceled in 2008 due to rain, and all advertized prize monies were donated to charity;{{cite web|title=IMS, IRL Donate $100,000 To Belle Isle, Hole in the Wall Camps|url=https://www.theautochannel.com/news/2008/06/12/089836.html|publisher=The Auto Channel|date=June 12, 2008|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222101402/https://www.theautochannel.com/news/2008/06/12/089836.html|url-status=live}} it was also canceled in both 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indiana. {{As of|2024|May}}, the record for the most victories is held by Team Penske with 19 wins since their first win in the 1981 final.{{Cite web |title=Pit Stop Competition |url=https://media.teampenske.com/teampenske/index.cfm?cid=16692 |access-date=December 10, 2022 |publisher=Team Penske |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209215358/https://media.teampenske.com/teampenske/index.cfm?cid=16692 |url-status=live }} Galles Racing are in second place with six wins, and Chip Ganassi Racing are third with four victories. Hélio Castroneves has the most victories among drivers, with eight, followed by Scott Dixon and Danny Sullivan with four wins each. Rick Rinaman has four wins, more than any other chief mechanic. Travis Law, Matt Jonsson, Owen Snyder, and Travis Law follow in second place with three victories each. The inaugural winner was Carrillo (Jim McElreath) in the 1977 final, while the most recent winner was Team Penske (Josef Newgarden) in the 2024 final.
Winners and runner-ups
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Key |
| scope=row style="text-align:center" | {{dagger}}
| Indicates driver won the contest and the Indianapolis 500 in the same year |
|---|
| scope=row style="text-align:center" | 2–1
| Denotes an entrant's winning score from 2017–present |
| s
|Time in seconds |
Statistics
File:Pit Stop Challenge - Carb Day 2015 - Stierch.jpg
File:Team Penske wins Pit Stop Challenge - Carb Day 2015 - Stierch 2.jpg
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center"
! scope=col | Team ! scope=col | Wins ! scope=col | First win ! scope=col | Last win |
| scope=row | Team Penske
|19 |1981 |2024 |
|---|
| scope=row | Galles Racing
|6 |1989 |1999 |
| scope=row | Chip Ganassi Racing
|4 |2012 |2023 |
| scope=row | Andretti Green Racing
|2 |1994 |1995 |
| scope=row | Panther Racing
|2 |1998 |2000 |
| scope=row | Rahal Letterman Racing
|2 |1992 |2004 |
| scope=row | Team McLaren
|2 |1978 |1979 |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center"
! scope=col | Driver ! scope=col | Wins ! scope=col | First win ! scope=col | Last win |
| scope=row | {{sort name|Hélio |Castroneves}}
|8 |2002 |2016 |
|---|
| scope=row | {{sort name|Scott|Dixon}}
|4 |2012 |2023 |
| scope=row | {{sort name|Danny|Sullivan}}
|4 |1985 |1991 |
| scope="row" | {{sort name|Al|Unser Jr.}}
|3 |1989 |1993 |
| scope=row | {{sort name|Scott|Goodyear}}
|2 |1998 |2000 |
| scope=row | {{sort name|Rick|Mears}}
|2 |1982 |1983 |
| scope=row | {{sort name|Josef|Newgarden}}
|2 |2022 |2024 |
| scope=row | {{sort name|Buddy|Rice}}
|2 |2003 |2004 |
| scope="row" | {{sort name|Johnny|Rutherford}}
|2 |1978 |1979 |
| scope=row | {{sort name|Jacques|Villeneuve}}
|2 |1994 |1995 |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center"
|+ Multiple wins by chief mechanic ! scope=col | Chief mechanic ! scope=col | Wins ! scope=col | First win ! scope=col | Last win |
| scope=row | {{sort name|Rick |Rinaman|nolink=1}}
|4 |2002 |2009 |
|---|
| scope=row | {{sort name|Matt|Jonsson|nolink=1}}
|3 |2005 |2017 |
| scope=row | {{sort name|Travis|Law|nolink=1}}
|3 |2015 |2022 |
| scope=row | {{sort name|Owen|Snyder|nolink=1}}
|3 |1989 |1993 |
| scope=row | {{sort name|Chuck|Sprague|nolink=1}}
|3 |1985 |1988 |
| scope=row | {{sort name|Kevin|Blanch|nolink=1}}
|2 |1998 |2000 |
| scope=row | {{sort name|Sean|Hanrahan|nolink=1}}
|2 |2010 |2013 |
| scope=row | {{sort name|Blair|Julian|nolink=1}}
|2 |2014 |2018 |
| scope=row | {{sort name|Kyle|Moyer|nolink=1}}
|2 |1994 |1995 |
| scope=row | {{sort name|Peter|Parrott|nolink=1}}
|2 |1982 |1983 |
| scope=row | {{sort name|Steve|Roby|nolink=1}}
|2 |1978 |1979 |
Notes
{{notes}}
Bibliography
- {{Cite book |last=Ash |first=Russell |url=https://archive.org/details/top10formenover20000ashr/ |title=Top 10 For Men: Over 250 Lists That Matter! |publisher=Hamlyn |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-600-62070-9 |location=London, England |chapter=The 10 latest winners of the Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge |url-access=registration |via=Internet Archive}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/event-info/pit-stop-challenge}}
{{commons category|2017 Indianapolis 500 Carb Day Pit Stop Challenge}}
{{Indy 500}}