NCTS: Norrick and Team Ready for Challenge of Pit Stops at IRP
29 July 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE LANCE NORICK AND NHL DODGE TEAM READY FOR CHALLENGE OF PIT STOPS AT IRP INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The recent change to green and yellow flag pit stops in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competition is a welcome challenge for Lance Norick and the NHL Dodge team. The Cummins 200 by Dodge at Indianapolis Raceway Park will be the second consecutive event the traditional half-time break will be replaced with =91live=92 action on pit road. "I think the new pit stop procedures add an exciting new element to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck races," stated Norick. "The fans really get in to watching the crews do their job. I've run a few NASCAR Winston West races this season so our crew had some experience with green and yellow flag stops prior to the Pikes Peak Truck race. We were pleased with how well things went for the NHL team during the race. NASCAR told us that we will using the pit stop format the next two events which will give us the ability to improve our performance on pit road. "It is amazing what a team effort it takes to do a pit stop," Noric= k explained. "Not only does the crew have to have perfect timing getting over the wall and quickly completing the service to the truck, but the driver also has to stop in precisely the right spot and follow the signals of the crew to leave the pit stall at exactly the right time. If a team can get it all right, you can pick up positions in the pits as well as on the race track. IRP has a nice pit road with enough room for the trucks to maneuver during the stops and then blend back into race traffic. With the added dimension of the pit stops combined with the new racing surface and the changes to the corners of IRP, fans are going to enjoy an exciting race." The Cummins 200 by Dodge is race number 14 of the 27 event 1998 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule.. The race is set for 7:00 p.m. CT on Thursday, July 30. Bud Pole qualifying will be Thursday following NASCAR Busch Grand National Series time trials. Live television coverage of the race will be provided by ESPN. NASCAR Truck Network will broadcast the event to over 400 radio affiliates nationwide.
