Spire’s No. 71 Crew Wins $100,000 Pit Crew Challenge

The Spire Motorsports No. 71 pit crew celebrates their Pit Crew Challenge victory. (Scotte Sprinkle/Race Face Digital photo)

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. – The No. 71 pit crew from Spire Motorsports won the Mechanix Wear Pit Crew Challenge Friday at North Wilkesboro Speedway, earning $100,000 for their efforts.

The challenge, part of Busch Light Pole Qualifying for the NASCAR All-Star Race, was reborn two years ago to highlight the pit crews of the NASCAR Cup Series. In 2024, it was limited to only teams locked into the All-Star Race, and this year it was expanded to include the teams in the All-Star Open as well.

With roots dating back to 1967 at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway, the Mechanix Wear Pit Crew Challenge stayed at the one-mile oval through the 2003 season, before moving to the Spectrum Center in downtown Charlotte, N.C., in 2005.

As a bracket-style competition, the Pit Crew Challenge was held during All-Star week from 2005-’12, when it was discontinued for the next 11 years before its revival when the All-Star Race moved to North Wilkesboro.

Ironically, the No. 71 crew – which pits veteran Michael McDowell – is in the Open this year.

McDowell will start fourth in the Open, but his crew was able to complete the fastest four-tire pit stop (12.587 seconds) to win the Pit Crew Challenge.

The No. 71 crew performing their pit stop during Michael McDowell's qualifying run at North Wilkesboro Speedway. (Scotte Sprinkle/Race Face Digital photo)

“This is awesome,” said Dax Hollifield, the jackman on the No. 71 crew and a former Virginia Tech football player. “It’s definitely beyond my wildest dreams. We’ve been working hard this year. We’re probably the youngest team on pit road.

“It was just hard work and determination that made the difference. I’ve got no words. I can’t breathe. I blacked out during the stop.”

The crew consisted of rear tire changer Ty Boeck, front tire changer Max Marsh, tire carrier Luke Bussel, Hollifield, fueler Brandon Chapman, crew chief Travis Peterson, engineer Adam Sturgill, and pit crew coach Keith Flynn.

McDowell will be racing in the All-Star Open on Sunday, May 18 at 5:30 p.m. ET on FS1, the Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

If he can finish in the top two or win the fan vote, mCdOWELL will race in the All-Star Race at 8 p.m. ET.