Richard "Slugger" Labbe, crew chief for Paul Menard and the No. 27 Peak/Menards Chevrolet, was named NASCAR® MOOG® "Problem Solver of the Race" following the wild 54th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. The prestigious MOOG award is sponsored by global automotive components manufacturer Federal-Mogul Corporation.
Labbe’s season-opening award came after the MOOG steering and suspension-equipped No. 27 car improved from its start near the back of thepack (37th position) to finish sixth in a race replete with multi-car wrecks as well as a two hour-plus delay caused by an accident involving the track’s jet-fired air dryer.
The MOOG Problem Solver of the Race Award is presented to the crew chief whose car posts the largest increase in average lap speed during the secondhalf of each Sprint Cup event while finishing on the lead lap. Menard and the Richard Childress Racing-owned No. 27 Chevrolet topped the field with a .169-second differential over the final 101 laps of the 2.5-mile Daytona oval.
“Talk about solving problems – we had rain delays, wrecks, dramatic changes in track conditions, and yet Slugger and Paul put together a great racing package and an exceptionally well- tuned chassis to pick up 31 positions,” said Federal-Mogul Motorsports Director Tim Nelson. “MOOG- equipped cars performed phenomenally here tonight – with Matt Kenseth taking the checkered flag and MOOG parts on seven of the top eight positions – but Slugger and Paul were the best of all when it came to solving problems and improving their competitiveness throughout the race.”
Federal-Mogul selects a MOOG Problem Solver of the Race following each Sprint Cup event. At the end of the season, the company presents its prestigious MOOG “Problem Solver of the Year” Award to the crew chief with the best overall performance throughout the 36-race series.
MOOG steering and suspension components are the leading choice of crew chiefs and automotive repair professionals and have helped drive an unprecedented 46 consecutive NASCAR Cup champions to victory.
For additional information regarding MOOG chassis parts, please visit the brand’s technician-focused website or contact your MOOG supplier. To identify the right MOOG part for virtually any application, please use the convenient, free electronic catalog.
Visit the company’s website at www.federalmogul.com.
