Four hundred laps of Dover (Del.) International Speedway’s “Monster Mile” failed to break a three-way tie in the battle for the $100,000 MOOG Steering and Suspension “Problem Solver of the Year” Award, as Chad Norris, crew chief for Carl Edwards and the No. 99 Fastenal Ford Fusion, became the 14th crew chief to earn weekly MOOG “Problem Solver of the Race” honors during Sunday’s AAA 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race.
With seven races remaining in the 2012 Chase for the Sprint Cup, crew chiefs Steve Addington (No. 14 Chevrolet/Tony Stewart), Chad Johnston (No. 56 Toyota/Martin Truex Jr.) and Steve Letarte (#88 Chevrolet/Dale Earnhardt Jr.) remain deadlocked with four weekly MOOG awards each. Chad Knaus (No. 48 Chevrolet/Jimmie Johnson) is in second place with three Problem Solver of the Race awards.
“The Problem Solver of the Year battle is always close, but at this point there are at least eight crew chiefs who have a legitimate chance to win the $100,000. I have no doubt it will come down to the final race – and maybe even the final lap,” said Tim Nelson, director of motorsports for Federal-Mogul Corporation, manufacturer of MOOG Steering and Suspension components.
The MOOG Problem Solver of the Year Award is presented to the crew chief who earns the most weekly MOOG Problem Solver honors throughout the season. In the case of a tie, the $100,000 check and beautifully crafted MOOG ball joint trophy are presented to the crew chief whose driver finishes highest in Sprint Cup points. The weekly MOOG Problem Solver award is presented to the crew chief whose car posts the greatest improvement in average lap time over the second half of the race while finishing on the lead lap. Norris and the MOOG-equipped No. 99 Ford improved by a race-best 0.053 second per lap in finishing fifth at Dover. It was the third top-five finish of the year for the Roush Fenway Racing-owned Ford and the first for Norris, who assumed crew chief duties in July.
According to the company, MOOG Steering and Suspension components are the leading choice of automotive repair professionals and top crew chiefs and have helped drive an unprecedented 46 consecutive NASCAR Cup champions to victory.
For more information regarding MOOG steering and suspension components and the MOOG Problem Solver of the Race and Problem Solver of the Year awards, visit the brand’s technician-focused www.moogproblemsolver.com website or contact your MOOG supplier. To identify the right MOOG part for virtually any application, use the convenient, free www.FMe-cat.com electronic catalog.
