Atlanta II: Pit Crew Challenge winner

Johnson's Crew Takes Lead in Checkers®/Rally's® Double Drive-Thru Challenge

Jimmie Johnson's over-the-wall crew took over sole possession of first place in the Checkers®/Rally's® Double Drive-Thru Challenge competition by taking top honors in Sunday's NEXTEL Cup event at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

It was the fifth pit crew win of the season for Johnson's team and it broke a three-way tie with Tony Stewart's and Kyle Busch's crews.

"Performing under pressure is part of professional sports and the No. 48 Lowe's pit crew has shown their ability to perform on a weekly basis," said crew chief Chad Knaus. "The guys work extremely hard behind the scenes to be the best at their job. To be recognized five times this season for their efforts is extremely rewarding for everyone on the 48 team."

Johnson's crew, which spent 316.721 seconds on pit road, will earn $10,500 for the weekly honor and is one step closer to the $105,000 bonus Checkers/Rally's will present to the crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule.

Johnson's No. 46 over-the-wall crew, which spent only 109.657 seconds on Atlanta's pit road includes: Chris Anderson (jackman), Art Simmons (front- tire carrier), Mike Trower (front-tire changer), Ron Malec (rear-tire carrier), Tim Ladyga (rear-tire changer), Rich Gutierrez (gasman), Mike Knauer (catch can) and Sean Kerlin (eighth-man).

Johnson, who turned in a strong second-place showing in Sunday's Bass Pro Shops 500, is currently second in the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup driver standings, just 26 points behind leader Matt Kenseth. There are three races remaining.

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Busch Series Result -- Memphis

Johnny Sauter's No. 00 over-the-wall crew continued to dominate the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge in the Busch Series by earning its 10th win of the season at Memphis Motorsports Park. The crew, which spent 179.242 seconds on pit road, has already clinched the season-long competition.

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Craftsman Truck Series Result -- Atlanta

The No. 10 over-the-wall crew of Terry Cook picked up the win in the weekly Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge in Saturday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The team spent 92.996 seconds on pit road.

<pre> Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge Nextel Cup Standings (Following Atlanta, Oct. 29)

Pos  Car No.    Pit Crew                Wins PrizeMoney
1    48         Jimmie Johnson Team     5    52,500
T    25         Kyle Busch Team         4    42,000
T2   20         Tony Stewart Team       4    42,000
4    07         Clint Bowyer Team       3    31,500
T5   38         David Gilliland Team    2    21,000
T5   29         Kevin Harvick Team      2    21,000
T5   24         Jeff Gordon Team        2    21,000
T5   31         Jeff Burton Team        2    21,000
T5   2          Kurt Busch Team         2    21,000
T5   25         Brian Vickers Team      2    21,000
T11  11         Denny Hamlin Team       1    10,500
T11  01         Joe Nemechek Team       1    10,500
T11  21         Ken Schrader Team       1    10,500
T11  14         Sterling Marlin Team    1    10,500
T11  66         Jeff Green Team         1    10,500

2006 Nextel Cup Winners Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge

Daytona (2/19)          Jimmie Johnson Team
California (2/26)       Jimmie Johnson Team
Las Vegas (3/12)        Kyle Busch Team
Atlanta (3/20)          Tony Stewart Team
Bristol (3/26)          Tony Stewart Team
Martinsville (4/2)      Elliott Sadler Team
Texas (4/9)             Denny Hamlin Team
Phoenix (4/23)          Clint Bowyer Team
Talladega (5/1)         David Gilliland Team
Richmond (5/6)          Kevin Harvick Team
Darlington (5/13)       Kyle Busch Team
Charlotte (5/28)        Jimmie Johnson Team
Dover (6/4)             Jeff Burton Team
Pocono (6/11)           Kurt Busch Team
Michigan (6/18)         Brian Vickers Team
Infineon (6/25)         Jimmie Johnson Team
Daytona (7/1)           Tony Stewart Team
Chicago (7/9)           Kevin Harvick Team
New Hamp. (7/16)        Kyle Busch Team
Pocono (7/23)           Jeff Gordon Team
Indianapolis (8/6)      Kyle Busch Team
Watkins Glen (8/13)     Clint Bowyer Team
Michigan (8/20)         Joe Nemechek Team
Bristol (8/26)          Jeff Gordon Team
California (9/3)        Clint Bowyer Team
Richmond (9/9)          Ken Schrader Team
New Hamp. (9/17)        Jeff Burton Team
Kansas (10/1)           Tony Stewart Team
Talladega (10/8)        Brian Vickers Team
Charlotte (10/14)       Sterling Marlin Team
Atlanta (10/29)         Jimmie Johnson Team

-credit: c/r