PIT

By Marion Wilhoite
Columbia Daily Herald

Successful race car drivers, especially those who win championships, know it takes a team to prevail.
 
Justin Allgaier, the 2008 ARCA/REMAX Series champion, didn’t hesitate before thanking his pit crew following his title-clinching win at Toledo Speedway in October.
 
One of those pit crew members who took Allgaier’s appreciation to heart is Columbia native Scott Crews, who moved to Mooresville, N.C., just over two years ago to work toward a spot in NASCAR.
 
Crews is a front tire carrier for Allgaier’s car No. 16 in what appears to be the first step for the 2005 Columbia Central High School graduate in his pursuit of his dream.
 
“I’ve been very much a big NASCAR fan since a little, bitty boy,” said Crews.  ”My dad (Rick Crews) and friends would always watch racing on TV and talk about it.
 
“I became enthused,” said Crews.  “I guess now I have taken the next step up.”
 
Crews said he was thinking about driving and that his dad said he could get him into go-carts if his grades were good enough.
 
“I didn’t always have the strongest grades,” Crews said.  “But I wanted to do something - announcer, pit crew member, whatever.”
 
After arriving in Mooresville, Crews attended NASCAR Technical Institute and completed the course in August, 2007, to become a Ford FACT certified mechanic.
 
“I was advised then that being a pit crew member was the best way for me to go,” said Crews.
 
Crews then attended Pit Instruction & Training’s Pit Crew U to become a professional Over the Wall Pit Crew member.
 
He was hired with the Justin Allgaier Team in June.  The first race Crews worked was in Pocono where Allgaier finished fifth.
 
The 2008 season proved to be an awesome year for Allgaier and his teammates.
 
Allgaier reached victory lane in six races to climax a season of hard work and determination by all involved.

The championship was special to all involved including Crews.
 
“Since I was a little boy I wanted to be part of a race team that wins,” said Crews.  “It’s like a dream coming true - already reaching some of my goals.”
 
An additional reward for Crews and all members of Allgaier’s team will be attending the 2008 ARCA/REMAX Series Championship Awards Banquet at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Ky., on Dec. 6.
 
“That’s pretty cool,” said Crews.  ”We get to sit at the head table. We are the champions.”
 
The 22-year-old Allgaier, who is from Riverton, Ill., has signed to race in the Nationwide Series with the Penske Racing Team.
 
“He (Allgaier) has a big future,” said Crews.  “It’s definitely a big plus having worked for him.”
 
The immediate future for Crews is yet to be determined, but he’s trying to get a position with Penske, too.  Regardless, expect Crews to find a spot as he continues to pursue his dream of being involved in the Sprint Cup Series.
 
And you know that his parents Rick and Karen Crews will be his biggest fans.