Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&Ms Crispy Toyota Camry, added his name to the auto care industry history books by becoming the 50th consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion to drive to victory with MOOG Steering and Suspension parts. Busch secured his career-first Sprint Cup title in Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway, the finale of the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup. MOOG is Official Steering and Suspension of NASCAR and a brand of global vehicle components manufacturer Federal-Mogul Motorparts.
Busch’s win completed a remarkable comeback from early-season injuries that caused the 30-year-old driver to miss 11 Cup events. He returned to win five races and post 12 top-five finishes, positioning the Joe Gibbs Racing team near the top of the Chase field. But the most important moment in his comeback came on a Lap 261 restart in Sunday’s final round when the MOOG-equipped 18 car passed race leader Brad Keselowski, setting up a seven-lap dash to the checkered flag. Busch held off defending Sprint Cup champion Kevin Harvick and the MOOG-equipped No. 4 Chevrolet for a 1.552-second margin of victory.
The 18 team’s championship continues one of NASCAR’s most impressive winning streaks, as Busch followed in the footsteps of each of the 49 previous Cup champions who have relied on MOOG Steering and Suspension parts, recognized as the automotive service industry’s “Problem Solver.” The MOOG brand’s Cup title streak began in 1966 with David Pearson and the No. 6 Dodge and has included such other NASCAR luminaries as Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson. The streak has also encompassed every vehicle nameplate to be involved in Cup racing, including Toyota, which secured its first title this year.
A free commemorative poster celebrating the MOOG brand’s 50 years of Cup championships is available for download within the “Free Stuff” tab at www.moogproblemsolver.com.
“We are proud to be the brand chosen by every Cup champion for 50 consecutive years, as well as every crew chief, team owner and driver in the Sprint Cup Series in 2015,” said Michael Proud, director of marketing, North America, Federal-Mogul Motorparts. “MOOG Problem Solver parts have consistently stood the test of the world’s most challenging racing environment and each day help keep consumers across North America safe and secure behind the wheel.”
In recognition of the vital importance of steering and suspension components in overall vehicle safety and performance, NASCAR now mandates that Cup teams use MOOG Problem Solver parts, specifically ball joints and tie rod ends. The MOOG product line includes an extensive range of high-quality steering and suspension components – including ball joints, tie rod ends, control arms, idler and pitman arms, sway bar links, complete strut assemblies, hub assemblies and universal joints – covering virtually any foreign-nameplate or domestic vehicle. These parts are available through thousands of automotive service locations and parts providers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
To learn more about MOOG products, contact your MOOG Steering and Suspension supplier or visit the technician-focused www.moogproblemsolver.com website. Like MOOG on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/moogproblemsolver and follow the brand on Twitter for product updates and special promotions.