Chad Norris, rookie crew chief for Carl Edwards and the No. 99 Frosted Flakes Ford, is making a run at the leaders in the $100,000 MOOG Steering and Suspension “Problem Solver of the Year” battle, winning his second weekly MOOG Problem Solver award in three weeks following Saturday night’s Bank of America 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup event at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. But Norris still needs two more weekly MOOG Problem Solver wins in the remaining five races to tie leaders Steve Addington (No. 14 Chevrolet/Tony Stewart), Chad Johnston (No. 56 Toyota/Martin Truex Jr.) and Steve Letarte (No. 88 Chevrolet/Dale Earnhardt Jr.).
Sponsored by global vehicle components manufacturer Federal-Mogul Corporation, the MOOG Problem Solver awards recognize the pit road professionals who best improve their cars’ on-track performance. The Problem Solver of the Week award is presented after each Sprint Cup contest to the crew chief whose car posts the greatest second-half improvement in average lap time while finishing on the lead lap. The $100,000 Problem Solver of the Year check and trophy go to the crew chief with the most weekly MOOG award wins.
“Chad has had a remarkable year, taking over as crew chief in July and really helping Carl get the 99 car back into contention,” said Federal-Mogul Motorsports Director Tim Nelson. “He’s also making our MOOG Problem Solver battle a lot more interesting – there’s no telling what could happen over the last five races.”
Edwards and the 99 Ford started 17th but advanced to 10th within the first 120 laps at Charlotte. The team ran as high as second, but fell a lap down after making an extra fuel stop. Yet, Edwards again charged back into the top 10 over the closing laps, finishing seventh.
Of the three leaders in the battle for MOOG Problem Solver of the Year honors, Chad Johnston fared best at Charlotte, with the No. 56 Toyota gaining its 17th top-10 finish. Tony Stewart and crew chief Steve Addington finished fourth, while Steve Letarte, crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 88 Chevrolet, worked with a replacement driver as a result of the concussion suffered by Earnhardt at Talladega. The 88 team finished 38th at Charlotte. Just one weekly MOOG award behind the leaders is Jimmy Johnson crew chief Chad Knaus. Their No. 48 Chevrolet finished third in Charlotte.
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.
