CONCORD, N.C. – Mechanix Wear named Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 9 pit crew the 2025 Most Valuable Pit Crew for their performance in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
The Mechanix Wear MVPC Award evaluates performance through a playoff-based metric system that considers factors such as pit stop speed, positions gained or lost on pit road and overall strength of each pit stop.
For the No. 9 pit crew, the unique postseason challenge became a stage for excellence. Not only did the group deliver consistent strong performances throughout the playoffs, but they also ranked first in pit crew standings for the entirety of the 2025 season. This award is a testament to their precision and teamwork from start to finish.
Hendrick Motorsports’ pit department head coach, Jacob Claborn credited the group’s resilience for setting them apart from others on pit road.
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“This crew has been through a lot this year, including a change on the team,” said Claborn. “It has been great to work with the guys and watch them rise to the occasion every time an opportunity presents itself on Sundays. The No. 9 pit crew brings experience to everything they do. The moment is never too big for them, and they have experienced both the highs of success and the lows of setbacks. Through these moments, they have been able to build their speed over time.”
Coach Claborn’s words reflect the group’s chemistry and readiness under pressure, which are qualities that have defined the No. 9 team. That experience and leadership were on full display during the playoffs where their performance helped keep No. 9 driver Chase Elliott in contention each race.
Elliott, who finished the season eighth in the points standings after advancing into the Round of 8, praised his crew for its dedication and consistency. Despite the adversity it faced, the group continued to deliver when it mattered the most.
“I’m extremely proud of our whole group,” said Elliott. “They did an exceptional job all year, and I’ve touched on how impressed I was at Phoenix and the drive to want to continue to work hard and lay it all out there, even though we weren’t in the playoffs. They just had an incredible performance on pit road and an amazing way to cap off the season. I’m extremely grateful for their attitudes, their approach, how they pick me up when I’m down or whatever it takes, they’re willing to rise to the occasion.
"To have won that award with some of the pit stalls they had this year probably won’t get talked about, but it should because they were put in some horrendous positions throughout the season and throughout the playoffs. All those things, they continue to exemplify how much of a top-tier group they are and I’m proud to have them. I’m looking forward to going back to battle with them again next year.”
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Veteran fueler John Gianninoto has been part of the team since Hendrick Motorsports introduced the car number in 2018. His perspective reinforces how much this recognition means to a team that has grown and evolved together each season.
“The award means a lot,” Gianninoto said. “It’s nice to be recognized for something that we work very hard at every single week and in the offseason. I think from day one of being together we knew that we would gel well together. Behind the scenes, we’ve learned how we can encourage each other the right way through teamwork and communication. It’s nice to know everyone has each other’s back and after enough time together it feels like pitting with brothers.”