After helping NASCAR crew chiefs under the hood, MOOG from Federal-Mogul Corporation is rewarding them at the end of each 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and the end of the season.
MOOG will honor the best performing crew chief each week and at the end of the year with the MOOG Problem Solver of the Race Award. The first winner was Pat Tryson of Penske Racing, following the Daytona 500.
“The MOOG Problem Solver of the Race and Master Crew Chief of the Year award celebrate the behind-the-scenes professionals who play such vital roles in fine-tuning their cars’ setup for the strongest possible finish. Pat Tryson had an unbelievable day in Daytona, taking a car from the last row to a runner-up finish, and helping push his teammate to victory,” says Federal-Mogul NASCAR Motorsports Director Tim Nelson.
The Problem Solver of the Race Award is presented to the crew chief whose team finishes in the top 10 and on the lead lap and posts the largest increase in average lap speed from the first half to second half of a race. “This level of improvement is commonly due to the crew chief’s work in solving a variety of chassis issues and other problems that existed earlier in the race,” Nelson explains.
Tryson, in his first full year with the Penske Racing team, helped propel the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge driven by Kurt Busch from 43rd position at the start to a thrilling second-place finish behind race winner and Penske teammate Ryan Newman. In fact, the No. 2 Dodge helped secure Newman’s victory after a restart on Lap 198. As Newman moved to the outside of race leader Tony Stewart on the restart, Busch provided a push that allowed Newman’s No. 12 Dodge to surge into the lead. Both Penske Racing cars are equipped with MOOG chassis products.
Every NASCAR Cup champion since 1966 has driven to victory using MOOG steering and suspension products.
MOOG steering and suspension products feature innovative, problem-solving designs that make them the ideal choice for racing teams, automotive technicians and vehicle owners. Each MOOG component is engineered to help professionals ensure precise handling and steering response and deliver increased product durability on virtually any global-nameplate application. The brand’s “Problem Solver” parts feature a variety of innovative design features and premium materials that improve on the original part and help speed the repair. This unique problem-solving approach is closely aligned with the MOOG brand’s engineering relationship with leading NASCAR Sprint Cup teams.
For additional information regarding the NASCAR MOOG Problem Solver of the Race Award and MOOG steering and suspension components, visit www.federal-mogul.com or www.moogproblemsolver.com.
