Elliott Sadler's pit crew helped lift him to a sixth-place finish at Martinsville. Credit: Autostock

Sadler's team captures pit award at Martinsville

Elliott Sadler's pit crew claimed its first victory of the season in the weekly Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge competition, helping boost the Robert Yates Racing driver to a sixth-place finish in Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Martinsville Speedway.

	Elliott Sadler Credit: Autostock
	Inside the Numbers 2006 Cup pit crew winners Race Team Driver Daytona No. 48 J. Johnson California No. 48 J. Johnson Las Vegas No. 5 K. Busch Atlanta No. 20 T. Stewart Bristol No. 20 T. Stewart Martinsville No. 38 E. Sadler

"I'm so proud of my guys," Sadler said. "Martinsville is the toughest pit road we visit during the season. It is just so tight to maneuver. I think track position is the key to being successful at Martinsville. It is a tough place to pass, and I think we picked up spots every time we came on to pit road."

Sadler's over-the-wall team edged out other participating crews by spending the least amount of time in the pits during the DirecTV 500. Sadler's No. 38 Ford spent 279.774 seconds on pit lane.

"You've got to have good pit stops, and my guys were definitely on it on Sunday," said Sadler, whose crew earned $10,500 for the win. "This M&M's team needed a good run. I think we are definitely back on track."

Sadler's over-the-wall crew consists of Rodney Fetters (jackman), Ryan McCray (front-tire carrier), Mike Lingerfelt (front-tire changer), Lance Hanna (rear-tire carrier), Dave Smith (rear-tire changer), Brian Dunaway (gasman), Frankie Good (catch can) and Toby Mellott (windshield). The team's crew chief is Tommy Baldwin Jr. and the pit crew coach is Andy Ward.

After the sixth race of the Nextel Cup season, Jimmie Johnson's and Tony Stewart's pit crew are tied in the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings with two victories each. The season champion will receive a $105,000 bonus.

The Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge is in its second season with the Nextel Cup Series.

Starr's crew wins Truck Series award

The Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru winner for Saturday's Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville was the pit crew for David Starr's team. The No. 11 over-the-wall team helped lift Starr to his first victory of the season.