Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson led 191 of 341 laps in picking up his fourth win of the season, and his crew chief, Chad Knaus, earned his third MOOG Steering and Suspension “Problem Solver of the Race” Award in Sunday’s AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
Sponsored by Federal-Mogul Motorparts, a division of Federal-Mogul Holdings Corporation, the weekly MOOG Problem Solver award is presented to the crew chief whose car posts the greatest second-half improvement in average lap time while finishing on the lead lap. Johnson and the MOOG-equipped No. 48 Lowe’s Red Vest Chevrolet SS picked up a race-best 0.702-second per lap over the final 171 laps at Texas.
With three weekly Problem Solver wins, Knaus moves into a four-way tie for second place in the $100,000 MOOG “Problem Solver of the Year” standings with just two races remaining. His latest MOOG win came in dominating fashion, as the 48 car grabbed the lead on Lap 54 and relinquished it only as a result of green-flag pit stops over the balance of the race. Johnson fought off challenges from Jeff Gordon and Brad Keselowski, respectively, in the two attempts at green-white-checkered finishes to win his third consecutive fall race at Texas and fourth overall. The race saw a record 13 cautions, 12 of which occurred following the halfway point.
“Jimmie stayed out ahead of trouble and Chad gave him a great-handling car throughout the race,” said Tim Nelson, motorsports director for Federal-Mogul Motorparts. “They’re out of the Chase picture, but the 48 team showed they still have plenty to battle for, including the year-end MOOG Problem Solver award.”
Ryan Newman (No. 31 Chevrolet) crew chief Luke Lambert remains in the lead for the $100,000 MOOG award with four weekly Problem Solver wins, followed by Knaus, Jimmy Fennig (No. 99 Ford, Carl Edwards), Chris Heroy (No. 42 Chevrolet, Kyle Larson) and Steve Letarte (No. 88 Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt Jr.) with three wins apiece. Five crew chiefs have two weekly MOOG wins.
According to the company, MOOG Steering and Suspension is the preferred brand of professional technicians and NASCAR crew chiefs, and MOOG components are recognized as the automotive service industry’s “Problem Solver,” with innovative parts that improve on original designs by providing increased durability, enhanced performance and easier installation. NASCAR Cup champions have driven to victory with MOOG parts for an unprecedented 48 straight years.
For more information regarding the MOOG Problem Solver awards and MOOG products, visit the brand’s technician-focused www.moogproblemsolver.com website or contact your MOOG supplier. Like MOOG on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moogproblemsolver.