Bob Osborne, crew chief for the #99 Ford driven by Carl Edwards in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition, has received the inaugural NASCAR MOOG “Problem Solver of the Year” Award from Federal-Mogul Corporation. Sponsored by Federal-Mogul’s MOOG chassis parts brand, the award is presented to the crew chief who posts the best overall performance throughout the Sprint Cup Series.
Osborne finished the 2008 season with six weekly MOOG “Problem Solver of the Race” Awards, including consecutive wins in the season’s final two races. Tony Eury Jr., crew chief for the #88 Chevrolet driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., finished second with four weekly MOOG Problem Solver Awards, and Jimmy Fennig (#6 Ford) and Gil Martin (#07 Chevrolet) each finished with three weekly awards.
Osborne’s masterful performance in the pits helped Edwards and the #99 Office Depot Ford capture nine wins and 19 top-five finishes in 2008. Edwards finished the year just 69 points behind Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson.
In winning six weekly MOOG Problem Solver Awards, Osborne played a key role in helping Edwards consistently move toward the front of the pack in the second half of each 2008 race. In his first weekly award-winning performance at Darlington, Osborne’s chassis adjustments helped propel the #99 Ford to a runner-up finish after having started in 39th position. The same pattern could be seen at the Brickyard (started 9th, finished 2nd), MIS (started 27th, finished 1st), Kansas (started 34th, finished 2nd), PIR (started 15th, finished 4th) and Miami (started 4th, finished 1st).
“In creating the MOOG Problem Solver Awards, we wanted to focus the spotlight on the crew chief, who plays a major role in the car’s on-track performance. Bob’s incredible record in 2008 really solidifies the importance of making the correct chassis adjustments to reflect changing track conditions,” said Jay Burkhart, senior vice president, Global Aftermarket, Federal-Mogul.
Federal-Mogul’s MOOG steering and suspension products feature innovative, problem-solving designs that make them the preferred choice of racing teams and automotive technicians. Every NASCAR Cup champion since 1966 has driven to victory using MOOG components.
For additional information regarding the NASCAR MOOG Problem Solver Awards and MOOG steering and suspension components, visit www.federalmogul.com or www.moogproblemsolver.com, the brand’s new technician-focused web resource. More information also is available by writing to MOOG Marketing, Federal-Mogul Corporation, 26555 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, Michigan 48033.