Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., the Official Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, recently announced that it is expanding its popular Double Drive-Thru Challenge Contingency program from the NEXTEL Cup Series to include the Busch and Craftsman Truck Series as well.

During the 2005 season, Checkers/Rally’s awarded $10,000 to the NEXTEL Cup team that finished with the best pit road performance each week, and awarded $100,000 to the team that recorded the most Double Drive-Thru Challenge wins throughout the season. Now, Checkers/Rally’s is bringing that same pit performance excitement to the Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series.

"Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge Contingency program focuses on the brand synergies between our double drive-thru restaurants and NASCAR. We’re both about speed, performance, leadership and teamwork, so our contingency program recognizes and rewards these qualities that make a successful racing team," said David Crawford, director of marketing, Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. "Last season, Penske Racing exemplified these qualities among their drivers and their pit crews, resulting in a first and second place finish in the Double Drive-Thru Challenge (the No. 12 team with Ryan Newman and the No. 2 team with Rusty Wallace respectively)."

"These same qualities exist in the Busch and Craftsman Truck Series as well," continued Crawford, "and we’re proud to now recognize and reward their accomplishments each week during the 2006 season."

The weekly contest proved to be extremely popular and motivational to the participating pit crew teams because Checkers/Rally’s contingency program focuses on team performance, rather than the performance of the individual driver.

"The pit crew is truly the backbone of the team on race day," said Ryan Newman. "Checkers/Rally’s recognizes and honors what a tireless, and often times thankless job, the crew guys have all season. It’s nice to see them rewarded for what they do, and it’s exciting to see that recognition now offered to the best pit crews in the Busch and Craftsman Truck Series."

Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge focuses on the team element of the race that is integral to successful performances each week. To win, teams were required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time in pit lane.

For details on the Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge, visit www.checkers.com/nascar/index.html.