Eight crew chiefs are deadlocked with just three
races to go in the battle for Federal-Mogul’s
MOOG® Chassis Parts “Problem Solver
of the Year” Award after
Jeff Gordon crew chief Alan
Gustafson was named
MOOG “Problem Solver of the Race”
following Sunday’s Tums Fast Relief 500 Sprint Cup
contest at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
Gustafson’s win came thanks to Gordon and the No.
24 Drive to Save Hunger Chevrolet’s race-best
0.182-second second-half improvement in average lap
speed. The award moved him into a tie for season-
ending MOOG Problem Solver honors with Drew
Blickensderfer (No. 6 Ford), Darian Grubb (No. 14
Chevrolet),Steve Letarte (No. 88 Chevrolet), Gil
Martin (No. 29 Chevrolet), Bob Osborne (No.
99Ford), Shane Wilson (No. 33 Chevrolet), and Paul
Wolfe (No. 2 Dodge).
The race looked to be anything but an award winner
early on, as the No. 24 car sustained serious
front-end damage in a multi-car pileup on Lap 7.
But the resulting extended caution period enabled
Gustafson to repair the car’s front right side over
the course of four pit stops. The No. 24’s robust
MOOG-equipped chassis came away unscathed in spite
of the heavy impact, giving Gordon the precise
handling he needed to start driving back through
the field from 34th position. He eventually made it
to the front, leading 113 laps before finishing
third.
“That was an incredible comeback,” said Federal-Mogul Motorsports Director
Tim Nelson. “It’s tough to recover track position
here, but Alan and Jeff somehow put a top-five car
out there after the crash. Watching Alan and the
Hendrick Motorsports team attack that challenge was
a great reminder ofwhat the MOOG Problem Solver
awards are all about. And we’re very proud – but
not surprised – that their MOOG chassis parts
withstood the collision and gave Jeff a great
handling car all day.”
Gustafson and his seven co-leaders have already
switched gears fromthis week to next, when the
battle for the year-end MOOG award resumes at Texas
Motor Speedway. “We’ve had a few award winners
determined in the final race, and it certainly
looks like we’re headed for another amazing
finish,” Nelson said.
MOOG steering and suspension components are the
leading choice of NASCAR crew chiefs and automotive
repair professionals and have helped drive an
unprecedented 45 consecutive NASCAR Cup champions
to victory.
For the latest news and statistics regarding the
MOOG Problem Solver awards, simply click on the
“NASCAR” link on the brand’s popular
website. This technician-
focused site also includes extensive technical
information about MOOG steering and suspension
components and a wide range of common chassis
repair challenges. To identify the right MOOG part
for virtually any application, please use the
convenient, free
electronic catalog.
For more information visit the company’s website at
www.federalmogul.com.
