The No. 77 Truck pit crew swarms into action at a stop at Martinsville in the spring of 2006. (Ronda Greer Photo)

As Brendan Gaughan (No. 77 Chevrolet) and South Point Racing continue the climb back to the heights of 2003, the driver sees personnel as being keys to the operation's renewed success.

"One of the things we lacked last year was our pit crew - good or bad - (it) was a little streaky," said Gaughan on the eve of Friday's Chevy Silverado HD 250 at Daytona International Speedway.

Since returning after spending the 2004 season in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, Gaughan, who finished 15th last year, has gone about rebuilding and rehiring.

Three employees - Calvin Gravely, Chris Justice and Mike Harris - have become major contributors.

Gravely is a tire changer and suspension specialist. Harris drives the team hauler and also changes tires on pit road and Justice, formerly a standout defensive back on Wake Forest University's Demon Deacon football team, will handle catch can duties as well as back up the jack man in Daytona.

Drive for Diversity graduate and former Wake Forest University football standout Chris Justice. (DriveForDiversity.com Photo)

"Chris is a heck of an athlete," said Gaughan, himself a collegiate basketball and football player at Georgetown University. "We needed a tire carrier and we heard there was a (great) tire guy running around without a job so we hired him."

A graduate of the Drive for Diversity program, Justice was torn between his two favorite sports, ultimately taking the South Point job despite making the initial cut to play for a professional arena football team.

"The Carolina (N.C.) Speed deal was a blessing but it was a past passion," Justice said. "Racing motivates me. You have the different positions just like a football team. Everybody depends on everybody in each environment so that the camaraderie you gain as a group translates over into both industries."