Clint Bowyer and the #33 Hamburger Helper Chevrolet Impala twice roared back from the middle of the field to post an impressive fourth-place finish and strengthen Bowyer’s grip on the final spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup during Saturday’s Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol (TN) Motor Speedway. Following the race, Bowyer’s crew chief, Shane Wilson, received his third NASCAR MOOG “Problem Solver of the Race" Award in recognition of the #33 team’s mastery of the .533-mile track.
Sponsored by global vehicle components manufacturer Federal-Mogul Corporation, the MOOG Problem Solver Award is presented following each Sprint Cup race to the crew chief whose car posts the largest increase in average lap speed from the first half to the second half of the event while finishing on the lead lap. Bowyer’s MOOG-equipped Chevrolet Impala improved by a race-high .066-second per lap as the driver steered his way into the top five at Bristol.
“Shane gave Clint a great-handling car, with MOOG steering and suspension components and a nearly perfect setup for the track conditions,” said Federal-Mogul Motorsports Director Tim Nelson. “No matter where he was – on a straight-away or in a corner – he seemed to have a significant handling advantage over much of the field.”
Bowyer started 24th but had cracked the top 10 within the first 35 miles. He ran as high as fifth before a speeding violation on pit road on lap 130 placed him toward the back of the pack. The #33 Chevrolet roared back into the top 10 over the next 100 laps and consistently ran in the top five over the final half of the race.
Bowyer’s finish extends his lead to 100 points over the 13th-place driver, Jamie McMurray, with just two events remaining before the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup finale.
“It was nice to have a car that was competitive all night. We have a lot of stuff coming together at the right time. Things will take care of themselves if we continue to have days like this,” Bowyer said.
Now with three 2010 MOOG Problem Solver of the Week Awards, Wilson is tied with crew chiefs Gil Martin (#29 Chevrolet) and Frank Kerr (#47 Toyota) in the battle for MOOG Problem Solver of the Year honors. The annual award will be presented during December’s NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas.
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For additional information regarding MOOG chassis parts, 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.