Mention NASCAR and people think of 800-hp cars racing side-to-side at 185 mph. But few see the team working behind the scenes. International Truck and Engine Co. has recognized the members of the race teams who get the cars to the action by creating the International Truck Challenge for transporter drivers.

The competition tests driving skills as drivers take turns with one of two equally spec'd and prepared tractor-trailers through a slalom, around a tight turn, backing into a simulated dock and then on to the finish line, trying to be error-free while having the shortest elapsed time.

With the final Challenge match set for Oct. 26 in Atlanta, Bill “Stump” Lewis leads the series. He is half of the team that hauls the No. 77 Jasper Engines car. The other team driver is Stump's wife, Cindy, the mother of four and the backup scorer and team cook. Like many transporter drivers, Stump is a backup pit man. He's also the full-time inventory manager, making sure every part used at a race is replaced and available for the next race.

The Lewises live in Mooresville, N.C. They've been married 15 years and have driven as a team for four years. A seven-year veteran of the NASCAR circuit, Stump brought 20 accident- and ticket-free years of over-the-road experience to the job. His record is still intact. He taught Cindy to drive when the race team went to team drivers. Their regular ride is an I