NASCAR announces cash purse for Friday's Pit Crew Challenge

Ty Gibbs and the No. 54 pit crew team started NASCAR‘s All-Star weekend off on the right foot. The team staked its claim as the best in the sport during Friday’s Pit Crew Challenge. Because of that success, the team takes home a nice chunk of cash.

NASCAR announced that the No. 54 team earned $100,000 in prize money for winning the Pit Crew Challenge at North Wilkesboro on Friday. The crew ripped off a 13.012-second stop to take home the top honor.

Thanks to his team’s success on pit road, Gibbs earned pole position for Sunday’s All-Star Open, as he attempts to qualify for the All-Star Race. The top two finishers in the Open qualify to participate in the All-Star Race, as well as the winner of the fan vote.

The top team in the garage and $100,000!

The No. 54 team wins the Pit Crew Challenge at @NWBSpeedway! @Mechanix_Wear | #AllStarRace pic.twitter.com/PVuTrGWfUY

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 19, 2023

Gibbs’ pit crew team consists of Mike Hicks (rear tire changer), Blake Houston (front tire changer), Jacob Holmes (tire carrier), Derrell Edwards (jackman) and Peyton Moore (fueler).

“This team has been through a lot this year,” said Hicks, per NASCAR.com. “Pulling this out here is a big confidence builder.”

Every elite pit crew needs a nickname.

What are we calling this No. 54 team? pic.twitter.com/iEcEvG5bEw

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 19, 2023

The All-Star Open from North Wilkesboro starts at 5:30 p.m. ET and airs on FS1. The All-Star Race then runs immediately after, with the green flag waving at 8 p.m. ET.

Ty Gibbs sits 19th in NASCAR Cup Series standings

As NASCAR hits the halfway point of the 2023 season, Gibbs sits in the 19th spot in the Cup Series standings. The 20-year-old endured some ups and downs already.

Through 13 races, Gibbs placed inside the top-10 four times, not a bad number for the young driver. He’s still searching for his first victory, however, and has led just four laps throughout the course of the 2023 season.

Gibbs’ best finish this season is ninth place, which he’s done three times. He crossed the finish line in ninth place in consecutive weeks at Atlanta, Circuit of the Americas and Richmond. His 10th-place finish came at Bristol.

Gibbs proved to be a dominant driver at the NASCAR Xfinity Series level. He claimed last year’s championship and has drove to Victory Lane 11 times over two years. The young gun has also finished in the top-10 34 times and earned six pole positions.

Making the jump to the Cup Series isn’t an easy one. Gibbs has learned that in the early going in 2023. Can he find a little magic at North Wilkesboro and work his way into the All-Star Race Sunday night?