Martin Truex Jr. and crew chief Pat Tryson fought through a variety of challenges for much of Monday’s Samsung Mobile 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, but the #56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota team finally put the pieces into place over the closing 20 laps for its third top-10 finish of the season. Following the race, Tryson received the NASCAR MOOG “Problem Solver of the Race” Award from MOOG chassis parts manufacturer Federal-Mogul Corporation.
The MOOG Problem Solver Award is presented following each 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 the race while finishing on the lead lap. The #56 Toyota, which started the rain-delayed event in 14th place and dropped as low as 33rd after having to make an unscheduled early pit stop due to a loose lug nut, picked up a race-best 0.035-second per lap at Texas.
The #56 Toyota battled early handling issues until Tryson and crew tweaked the car’s chassis – featuring precision-engineered MOOG components – to address changing track conditions. Truex used the car’s dramatically improved handling to avoid what appeared to be an inevitable collision with Sam Hornish Jr.’s spinning #77 Dodge on lap 110, then drove around a nine-car pile-up with just 17 laps remaining. That late wreck pulled the #56 car back onto the lead lap, and Truex was able to outmaneuver several competitors to secure a solid ninth-place finish.
“This is Martin and Pat’s first year together, but they’ve run strong in several races so far,” said Federal-Mogul Motorsports Director Tim Nelson. “Today they showed they could battle through early issues and unpredictable conditions to stay within striking distance of the top 10. And then Martin closed the deal with an impressive run to the finish.”
Available through leading vehicle service providers and parts stores across North America, MOOG chassis parts help deliver the consistent, precise steering and handling response needed to ensure success in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition. That’s why MOOG is the preferred chassis brand of crew chiefs and professional technicians.
The benefits of MOOG parts and other leading Federal-Mogul repair solutions are at the center of the company’s innovative new "Smart Choice" multi-brand campaign designed to reinforce the message that longer lasting, better performing premium replacement products are today’s best option for professionals and do-it-yourselfers.
For additional information regarding MOOG steering and suspension products, visit the brand’s technician-focused www.moogproblemsolver.com website or contact your MOOG supplier. To learn more about the Federal-Mogul “Smart Choice” campaign, simply visit www.FMSmartChoice.com.