Michael McDowell’s No. 71 Dominates All-Star Pit Crew Challenge

Michael McDowell’s No. 71 team delivered a standout moment during the 2025 NASCAR All-Star weekend by claiming victory in the All-Star Pit Crew Challenge at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 16. The pit crew posted the fastest time on pit road, beating competitors to secure a major win for Spire Motorsports.

Their time of 12.587 seconds topped all 20 teams competing in the event, a significant feat for a squad ranked 32nd out of 36 in the NASCAR Cup Series heading into the weekend. The group behind the effort included Fueler Brandon Chapman, Front Changer Max Marsh, Rear Changer Ty Boeck, Tire Carrier Luke Bussel, and Jackman Dax Hollifield.

Their precision and teamwork under the intense All-Star format earned them a $100,000 bonus. Hollifield credited the win to their dedicated preparation throughout the season, while their result stood strong as several other teams hit trouble on pit road.

This challenge tested both speed and coordination, with every crew member playing a vital part. The No. 99 Trackhouse Racing crew finished close behind, missing out by just 0.013 seconds. For more on the science behind pit crew efficiency, check out this study on motorsports teamwork published by the National Institutes of Health.

Teams from Front Row Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, and Team Penske all rounded out a competitive set of contenders. The event put the spotlight on the skills that keep cars running at the front, even when race wins often come down to just a handful of seconds in the pit lane. To learn more about the history of pit crew strategies, visit NASCAR’s official pit crew evolution page.

The All-Star weekend in North Wilkesboro included a busy schedule of qualifying rounds and races for fans and teams alike. Shane van Gisbergen and the No. 88 crew also made headlines by taking the pole position for the All-Star Open with a time of 1 minute, 28.685 seconds, outpacing second-fastest Carson Hocevar.

Drivers Noah Gragson, Michael McDowell, and Ryan Preece completed the top five in qualifying for the Open. Brad Keselowski added to the action by scoring pole position for the All-Star Race itself.

He delivered three speedy laps and a strong four-tire stop, finishing with a best time of 1 minute, 27.363 seconds. That lap was nearly a full second faster than Christopher Bell, who took the second spot with 1 minute, 28.253 seconds. For a deeper dive into racing lap time analysis, explore this MIT Motorsports research paper.

Keselowski praised his RFK Racing pit crew for their clean and decisive stop, which combined with his speed on track to lock in the top starting spot. Race weekend stories also included near mishaps, such as Todd Gilliland almost losing a left-rear tire in pit road traffic.

Meanwhile, NASCAR provided detailed insights into the behind-the-scenes work of the pit crews, highlighting roles like the fueler and the coordinated routines that make swift stops possible. The No. 20 crew from Joe Gibbs Racing was also recognized for overcoming the pressure and rising to the All-Star challenge.

The All-Star Pit Crew Challenge at North Wilkesboro Speedway reinforced how pivotal teamwork and timing remain in NASCAR. For the No. 71 team, topping the field on one of racing’s largest stages was both a surprise and a testament to their consistent focus, earning them well-deserved recognition among the sport’s fastest crews. For more on high-stakes racing challenges and comebacks, see Brittany Force’s redemption.

In addition, coverage of standout performances in motorsports can be found in Chris King’s Funny Car, highlighting the competitive spirit that also thrives within NASCAR events.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.