Last Updated on January 25, 2022 by Pittalks
September 1, 2014
Being that pit stops are the focus of this website, this issue is one that we must tackle. Sunday night in Atlanta the #11 and #20 cars of JGR had dominating races on pit road. They gained on every stop and not just by a tenth of a second but by a half second or more on many occasions. After the race, social media was flooded with excuses and half ass answers as to why they were so good. So lets take a look at what makes up these two teams and then we all can have a better understanding of why they are so good.
The biggest thing in question with the JGR teams is their equipment. For years they have been on the leading edge in the pit gun department. They were the first team to design their own gun and they were years ahead of the others in doing that. It’s no secret, they got good equipment. The argument comes when people start using equipment as an excuse for performance. Here are my thoughts on that.
JGR has done a GREAT job in building their teams over the years. Over the last few years there have been very few changes on the #18, #11, and #20 teams. These guys pit on Saturday together and then Sunday. They know each other and they know how to work together. Everyone one of their changers: Odell, Seminara, Necaise, Hicks, Royer, and Taylor would be considered top 10 changers on pit road. You add in excellent carriers, jackmen, and gasmen, and the results speak for themselves. When it comes to their equipment vs. the competition, well, I have an opinion on that as well.
YES, I do believe they have great equipment and YES I do believe that helps their performance. But lets not take away a great performance at Atlanta by the #11 and #20 and cry about equipment. Almost every team out there now has their own guns and every team is working to make them better. The guys from JGR took great equipment with great pit crew members and have developed great pit stops. It is ignorant to think that any who touches a JGR gun is going to have that kind of success. They are simply the perfect storm right now with great equipment, great crewmen, and great coaching.
As far as comparing them to other teams on pit road, there are teams that can run with the JGR teams. Every week teams step up and can run fast times on pit road. It’s no different than a driver who has a dominant race one week and then runs top 10 the next week out. Teams have gotten so good on pit road that on any given Sunday it can be anyone’s day. Atlanta just happened to be the JGR teams day and they have more than most.
Below are some very interesting tweets that were sent out last night concerning JGR’s performance on pit road.
Nick Terry–MRO Chaplain and former Jackman
Nick Terry @nickterryMRO
If I was still on the pit crew I would hate to be going against the 11 team! Those dudes are on it @hicks37 @Dnecaise26 & team! #NASCAR
Mike Lepp–Pit Coach JGR
Michael Lepp @michael_lepp
Now the secret is out. I can’t keep it secret any longer. There. #laserguns #itstheguns #gofastguns…
Mike Lepp–Pit Coach JGR
Michael Lepp @michael_lepp
You win with people. ~ Joe Gibbs
Proud of all my guys tonight. Glad some of our competition doesn’t realize that. #itstheguns #gofast2014
Chris Taylor–Rear Changer #20 team
Chris Taylor @taylorcr20
Excuses are for the weak! The strong practice,get better,and try again the next time!
Mike Lepp–Pit Coach JGR
Michael Lepp @michael_lepp
Who wants to pit the #11 @FedEx Toyota next weekend? With these magical guns anyone can be a #star right @hicks37 @Dnecaise26 ? #itstheguns
Bob Pockrass–Reporter
Bob Pockrass @bobpockrass
just like the cars, teams develop equipment. I doubt JGR will show me the specs MT @mdhutton: tricked-out air gun JGR supposedly had?
Nick Odell–Front Tire Changer #18 team
Nicholas ODell @NODell37
@bobpockrass @mdhutton it actually runs on liquid argon and made out of unobtainium. Recharging the flux capasitor Is a pain though.
Rodney Childers–Crew Chief #4 SHR
Rodney Childers @RodneyChilders4
As for our stops, we are getting better each week.. The Gibbs cars are in their own league right now .. They beat everyone in the field
Denny Hamlin–Driver #11 JGR
Denny Hamlin @dennyhamlin
Wish we could have capitalized at the end. Pit crew was on fire. Thanks to them! Congrats to @kaseykahne and @mattkenseth on making chase!
The Insiders–Reporters
The Insiders @nascarinsider
The 11 guys are arguably the best group on pit road. They’ve thrown down some 10 second range pit stops this year. #nascar
Chris Taylor–Rear Changer #20 team
Chris Taylor @taylorcr20 8h
You can give someone the best set of golf clubs on the market, doesn’t mean they are going to drive the ball 350 yds!
Chris Taylor–Rear Changer #20 team
Chris Taylor @taylorcr20 8h
Our pit stops are fast because of accuracy, speed, training regiment, practice and team chemistry! #team20
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