2010 wasn't just a fluke. The pit crew that services the #11 FedEx Toyota on pit road week after week showcased their talents against the best of the best on May 19th at the Time Warner Cable Arena for the 2011 Pit Crew Challenge. It was up to the defending champions to set the bar high and they did just that!
The No. 11 crew beat the No. 22 of Kurt Busch to set up a semifinal matchup against the crowd-favorite No. 88 of Dale Earnhardt Jr., which had just beaten the No. 27 of Paul Menard. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was on hand to support his crew, but it wasn't enough and Hamlin’s team prevailed in one of the closest races of the evening — 22.259 seconds to 23.325.
Setting up the semifinal, the No. 14 team of owner/driver Tony Stewart beat the No. 48 across the finish line, but drew 10 seconds of penalties for fueling issues. As a result, the No. 48 team advanced. Fueling problems with the new closed system mandated by NASCAR this year cost Stewart dearly in last Sunday’s race at Dover. Though the Pit Crew Challenge featured the fueling system in place last year, it nevertheless proved the downfall of the No. 14 Chevrolet team, which had performed flawlessly in advancing to the semifinals.
Do you think the agony of defeat was on the minds of the FedEx crew as they prepared to show the world just who ruled pit road? You bet your sweet ass it was and the No. 11 completed its stop — jacking the car, fueling and changing front and rear tires — and pushed its Toyota across the finish line in 22.298 seconds to 22.714 for the No. 48 Chevrolet. 
The look of elation on the face of team owner Joe Gibbs says it all. His team is the first back-to-back champions of the pit crew challenge and truly are the greatest in the sport! And if you want to know how the driver, Denny Hamlin, feels about his guys...let's just say he knows they're all bigger than him and could totally kick his ass. Either way, the entire team kicks the competition's asphalt every week and they showcased their bad ass skills and prevailed as the baddest on the planet...in the place where it is a good thing to be bad.
The FedEx Toyota Crew of Champions is:
- Scott Wood - Gas Man
- Justin White - Second Gas Man
- Nick Krizmanich - Front Tire Changer
- Brandon Pegram - Front Tire Carrier
- Mike Hicks - Rear Tire Changer
- Heath Cherry - Rear Tire Carrier
- Nate Bolling - Jack Man
Congratulations to the entire FedEx crew, Joe Gibbs racing and Denny Hamlin. We don't just support the driver every week, we cheer for you and are so thankful for the training, sacrifice and hard work you put into the greatest job and best driver on the planet. This was a well deserved victory...bask in the glory and soak up the elation. We look forward to seeing you shine at the Coca Cola 600.
