Mark Martin and the #5 Cheez-It/CARQUEST Chevrolet continued their string of strong finishes and the team’s crew chief, Alan Gustafson, received the NASCAR MOOG “Problem Solver of the Race” Award following the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday.
The NASCAR MOOG Problem Solver of the Race Award is presented following each Sprint Cup event to the crew chief whose team posts the largest increase in average lap speed from the first half to the second half of an event. The award is presented by Federal-Mogul Corporation, manufacturer and marketer of MOOG chassis parts.
After starting in 23rd position, Martin and the #5 Chevrolet picked up a race-best .37-second in average lap speed over the second half of Sunday’s event to secure a sixth-place finish. The #5 Chevrolet picked up a whopping nine positions, to 18th overall, in Sprint Cup points, putting Martin well within reach of the top-12 field that will battle for the season-ending Chase for the Sprint Cup.
“Every time I sit down in that race car, I’ve been one of the fastest cars at the race track,” Martin told NASCAR Scene. “I believe that we are a top-10 car every weekend.”
Much of the attention for the team’s rapid rise in Sprint Cup points has rightfully been directed to Gustafson and the Hendrick Motorsports crew, which helped Martin claim the pole in Atlanta and secure top-10 finishes at Bristol and Martinsville preceding Sunday’s race.
“The beauty of the MOOG Problem Solver Award is that every crew chief has an equal opportunity to win – you simply need to ‘break the code’ on a given day with precisely the right chassis set-up for the track and race day conditions,” said Federal-Mogul Motorsports Director Tim Nelson. “Alan had outstanding days at Bristol and Martinsville, but the #5 car was even better here at TMS. It’s great to see him earn his first MOOG award on this very challenging track.”
MOOG steering and suspension components from Federal-Mogul play vital roles in delivering the consistent, precise steering response and handling needed to dominate NASCAR Cup competition. In fact, every NASCAR Cup champion since 1966 has driven to victory using MOOG components.
For additional information regarding MOOG steering and suspension products, please visit the brand’s new technician-focused website, www.moogproblemsolver.com, or contact your MOOG supplier.