Ryan Blaney's pit crew has been under the spotlight all season long. The attention will only increase on Saturday as they take part in an annual competition highlighting the athletes of pit road.
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And the 2023 Cup Series champion believes they will rise to the occasion after some early-season struggles.
"I feel like those guys have made a lot of improvements," Blaney told media members ahead of Saturday's Pit Crew Challenge. "We made some changes on our group a few weeks ago and they seem to be gelling really well.
"I feel like they've had a really good last few weeks and just getting their confidence to where it needs to be. Confidence is a huge thing not only on the racetrack and stuff like that, but those guys too. How do you get them back?Because I know those guys can be up there with the best."
The All-Star Race provides an opportunity for pit crew members to shine more than ever. They play a direct role in qualifying through Saturday's challenge.
The fastest group can help their driver secure pole position for the All-Star Race, and they can win some bonus money in the process. Last season, Michael McDowell's crew won the Pit Crew Challenge and $100,000.
Pit Crew Challenge Format
The drivers will line up for the challenge on Saturday. One by one, they will take the green flag, run one full lap at speed, and on the second lap proceed to one of two NASCAR-designated pit stalls for a four-tire stop (no fuel).
Once the pit stop is complete, the driver will exit pit road and race back to the checkered flag. The total qualifying time will be the time between green flag and checkered flag.
The crew with the fastest four-tire stop (no penalties) will win the Mechanix Pit Crew Challenge.
The No. 12 team struggled mightily in the first eight races of the season. This group had lost 88 net positions between Daytona International Speedway in February and Bristol Motor Speedway in early April. They lost 30 more positions than other crews.
Team Penske switched up the lineup after Bristol. The team isn't the fastest in the series, but it is making fewer mistakes each week. Now, this crew has an opportunity to showcase its progress at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday.
"I look forward to seeing what those guys can do," Blaney added. "That's a big part of the qualifying. Obviously, there's the lap and getting to pit road and leaving pit road, but that's a big chunk of time is on pit road to where those guys can really shine.
"So I'm looking forward to seeing what those guys can do. They're really excited for it and for showing everybody else what they can do. I've got their back 100% of the way, so I can't wait to see what they've got."
