Jimmy Fennig, crew chief for Carl Edwards and the MOOG Steering and Suspension-equipped No. 99 Fastenal Ford Fusion, won 2014’s second MOOG Problem Solver of the Race Award after the 99 car picked up 15 positions to finish eighth in Sunday’s The Profit on CNBC 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway.
Sponsored by MOOG Steering and Suspension manufacturer Federal-Mogul Corporation, the MOOG Problem Solver of the Race 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. After qualifying a disappointing 23rd, Edwards and the Roush Fenway Racing-owned Ford improved by a race-best 0.236 seconds per lap and were running in the top 10 throughout the final 156 laps at PIR.
Sunday’s race marked the debut of NASCAR’s new rules package for 1.5- and 2-mile tracks, which widens the range of chassis-related variables that can be controlled through pre-race and in-race adjustments. Fennig and the Roush Fenway crew were able to dramatically enhance the 99 car’s handling performance through precise adjustments to its MOOG-equipped steering and suspension system during the race.
“Crew chiefs have a much wider set of possibilities when tuning their cars for qualifying and race day, which makes problem-solving skills more important than ever,” said Federal-Mogul Motorsports Director Tim Nelson. “The 99 team was unhappy following Friday’s qualifying, but you could see Jimmy gradually dialing in their chassis during each pit stop today. That allowed Carl to drive through a lot of traffic over the final 150 miles. Picking up 15 positions on this track is huge.”
In addition to the MOOG Problem Solver of the Race Award, Federal-Mogul sponsors the prestigious $100,000 MOOG Problem Solver of the Year Award, which is presented to the crew chief with the best overall performance throughout the 36-race season.
According to the company, MOOG Steering and Suspension is the preferred brand of professional technicians and NASCAR crew chiefs, and MOOG components are recognized as the automotive service industry’s “Problem Solver,” with innovative parts that improve on original designs by providing increased durability, improved performance and easier installation. Many of the same MOOG technologies utilized in Sprint Cup competition are featured in MOOG ball joints, tie rod ends and other components available for today’s passenger vehicles.
For more information regarding the MOOG Problem Solver awards and MOOG products, visit the brand’s technician-focused www.moogproblemsolver.com website or contact your MOOG supplier. Like MOOG on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moogproblemsolver. To identify the right MOOG part for virtually any application, use the convenient, free www.FMe-cat.com electronic catalog.
