Sunoco Pit Move of the Race: Michigan

He could have waited until the first round of green-flag stops.

But he didn't. And he won the race as a result.

VIDEO CLIPS Watch Newman's stop on Lap 22 Play video

Newman started fourth in the DHL 400 but quickly accumulated heavy trash on his grille -- sending the water temperature soaring.

Instead of waiting 25 laps to pit, Newman lost a lap by pitting right away.

The Lap 22 stop showed great patience and confidence. He knew he'd benefit from the Lucky Dog rule if he could become the first car a lap down.

Newman got his lap back and eventually ran down Dale Jarrett with 22 laps to go.

"We got some paper or trash on the grille, and it got really hot motor-wise," Newman said. . We played the safe card coming in hoping it would go green and cycle out."

Nemechek's team shines on pit road

2004 Archive  Sunoco Pit Move of the Week

Joe Nemechek's engine gave out on Lap 175, and he finished 35th. Unfortunately, it overshadowed some nice pit work by his crew 22 laps earlier.

During yellow-flag stops on Lap 153, Nemechek entered pit road fourth, but a lightning-quick stop by the No. 01 crew gave Nemechek the second spot.

For a crew that hasn't been in too many pressure-packed situations in 2004, the quick service was well-timed.