Credit: Autostock

DeWALT to host 2004 Pit Crew Challenge finale

18 contestants will compete for a Roush Stage 3 Mustang and $10,000

DeWALT, a leading manufacturer of power tools, will host the final round of its 2004 Pit Crew Challenge on November 20th and 21st at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. Nine finalist teams will compete for a chance to win two Roush Stage 3 Mustangs as well as other prizes. In addition, the winners of the Pit Crew Challenge will take on the tire changing members of Matt Kenseth's pit crew for a chance to win $10,000 each. DeWALT will launch the Pit Crew Challenge nationwide at the beginning of next year's NASCAR season.

DeWALT hosted preliminary competitions for the Pit Crew Challenge in eight locations across the country, beginning in August 2004. Contestants signed up to compete in the challenge at the DeWALT Rolling Thunder trackside display. Teams of two raced to change the front and rear tires on a modified DeWALT racecar and used the DeWALT Heavy-Duty ½" 18V Cordless High Torque Impact Wrench (DW059K-2). The team that completed the event in the fastest time was declared the winner.

"This is an exciting way for NASCAR fans to not only try their hand at tire changing, but also to experience DeWALT power tools first-hand," commented Susan Wiercinski, group brand manager for DeWALT. "The Pit Crew Challenge is part of our larger marketing strategy, which is to take DeWALT products directly to our end users. With 40 percent of NASCAR fans representing DeWALT's target audience, the Pit Crew Challenge provides us with a phenomenal opportunity to develop one-on-one relationships with our end users."

The Pit Crew Challenge Championship will occur on November 20th where nine teams will compete for the best time (see enclosed list of contestants). The team with the fastest time will be named DeWALT Pit Crew Challenge Champions. Each member of the winning team will receive a Roush Stage 3 Mustang (valued at $55,000), $2,000 in DeWALT tools and a trip to the 2005 Daytona 500.

The Pit Crew Challenge Champions will return to the track on Sunday, November 21st to compete against the front and rear tire changers from DeWALT Racing's pit crew, Justin Nottestad and Jeremy West. If the Pit Crew Challenge Champions beat the DeWALT Racing Team, each team member will win an additional $10,000. In the event that the DeWALT Racing Team wins, DeWALT will provide the No. 17 garage a tool package with a retail value of $25,000.

Pit Crew Challenge Finale

About DeWALT (www.dewalt.com)

DeWALT is a leading manufacturer of power tools with more than 300 power tool and equipment products as well as 800 power tool accessories, including corded and cordless drills, saws, hammers, grinders, routers, planers, plate joiners, sanders, lasers, generators, compressors and nailers, as well as saw blades, metal and masonry drill bits, abrasives, screw driving accessories and more. DeWALT tools can be found wherever tools are sold, nationally and internationally. With over 1,000 factory owned and authorized locations, DeWALT has one of the most extensive service and repair networks in North America.