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 (#6 Ford), Darian Grubb (No. 14 Chevrolet), Steve Letarte (#88 Chevrolet), Gil Martin (#29 Chevrolet), Bob Osborne (#99 Ford), Shane Wilson (#33 Chevrolet), and Paul Wolfe (#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 of what 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 from this 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 www.moogproblemsolver.com 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, use the convenient, free www.FMe-cat.com electronic catalog.
