Right, Pat Tryson, Penske Racing; left, Tim Nelson, Federal-Mogul Motorsports Director

The MOOG brand of steering and suspension components from Federal-Mogul Corporation has established a weekly and annual awards program that will honor the best-performing crew chief following each 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event and at the conclusion of the ’08 season.

The MOOG “Problem Solver of the Race” Award, presented for the first time following the season-opening Daytona 500 to Pat Tryson of Penske Racing, builds upon the brand’s decades-long leadership in all forms of NASCAR competition. Every NASCAR Cup champion since 1966 has driven to victory using MOOG steering and suspension products.

“The MOOG Problem Solver of the Race and Master Crew Chief of the Year awards celebrate the behind-the-scenes professionals who play such vital roles in fine-tuning their cars’ setup for the strongest possible finish. Pat Tryson had an unbelievable day in Daytona, taking a car from the last row to a runner-up finish, and helping push his teammate to victory,” said Federal-Mogul NASCAR Motorsports Director Tim Nelson.

Tryson, in his first full year with the Penske Racing team, helped propel the #2 Miller Lite Dodge driven by Kurt Busch from 43rd position at the start to a thrilling second-place finish behind race winner and Penske teammate Ryan Newman. In fact, the #2 Dodge helped secure Newman’s victory after a restart on Lap 198. As Newman moved to the outside of race leader Tony Stewart on the restart, Busch provided a push that allowed Newman’s #12 Dodge to surge into the lead. Both Penske Racing cars are equipped with MOOG chassis products.

The Problem Solver of the Race Award is presented to the crew chief whose team finishes in the top 10 and on the lead lap and posts the largest increase in average lap speed from the first half to second half of a race. “This level of improvement is commonly due to the crew chief’s work in solving a variety of chassis issues and other problems that existed earlier in the race,” Nelson explained.

MOOG steering and suspension products feature innovative, problem-solving designs that make them the ideal choice for racing teams, automotive technicians and vehicle owners. Each MOOG component is engineered to help professionals ensure precise handling and steering response and deliver increased product durability on virtually any global-nameplate application. The brand’s “Problem Solver” parts feature a variety of innovative design features and premium materials that improve on the original part and help speed the repair. This unique problem-solving approach is closely aligned with the MOOG brand’s engineering relationship with leading NASCAR Sprint Cup teams.

For additional information regarding the NASCAR MOOG Problem Solver of the Race Award and MOOG steering and suspension components, please visit www.federal-mogul.com or www.moogproblemsolver.com, the brand’s new technician-focused web resource, featuring the latest vehicle repair research, product information and other useful features. More information also is available by writing to: MOOG Marketing, Federal-Mogul Corporation, 26555 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI 48033.