Three-time defending NASCAR® Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus once again left the competition “California dreaming” as the No. 48 Lowe’s/Jimmie Johnson Foundation Chevrolet powered to an impressive victory in the Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
Following the win, which catapulted Johnson into the Chase for the Sprint Cup points lead, Knaus was presented his third MOOG “Problem Solver of the Race” Award of 2009.
Sponsored by Federal-Mogul Corporation, manufacturer of MOOG chassis parts, the MOOG Problem Solver of the Race Award is presented following each NASCAR Sprint Cup event to the crew chief whose car posts the largest increase in average lap speed from the first half to the second half of a race while finishing on the lead lap. Knaus’ win moves him into a four-way tie for the prestigious MOOG “Problem Solver of the Year” Award. In the case of a tie at the end of the season, the annual MOOG award will go to the crew chief whose team has accumulated the most Sprint Cup points.
“What an awesome car!” Johnson said after the No. 48 Chevrolet pulled away from teammate Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 car in a three-lap race to the finish following a restart. In fact, Johnson’s car seemed virtually untouchable from the moment the sun first peaked out from behind the clouds on Lap 66.
It was clear from that point forward that the No. 48 car – equipped with precision-engineered MOOG chassis parts with superior steering and handling response – was running a better line and had more grip than the rest of the field. Johnson led a race-best 126 laps of the two-mile D-shaped oval speedway.
“Chad and the Hendrick Motorsports crew did an awesome job of anticipating the changing track conditions and giving Jimmie a car with exceptional balance and control,” says Federal-Mogul Motorsports Director Tim Nelson. “We’re proud that MOOG chassis parts once again played an important role in providing a clear performance advantage. Chad showed that the right decisions in the pits, combined with the best technology, provided Jimmie with yet another championship-caliber car."
For more information, visit www.moogproblemsolver.com.
