Alan Gustafson, Crew Chief For Jeff Gordon, Picks Up MOOG 'Problem Solver Of The Race' Honors At Dover

Main Navigation

Advertisement
Social Connect
Resources
Our Brand Family
Counterman - Babcox Media
Counterman has been serving auto parts jobbers, retailers and distributors since 1983.
News

Alan Gustafson, Crew Chief For Jeff Gordon, Picks Up MOOG ‘Problem Solver Of The Race’ Honors At Dover

Gustafson's MOOG win gives him two on the season and elevates him into a three-way tie for third place in the battle for the $100,000 MOOG "Problem Solver of the Year" Award.

Counterman Staff
By Counterman Staff
Published:

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Jeff Gordon and the MOOG Steering and Suspension-equipped No. 24 Axalta Coating Systems Chevrolet SS overcame tight handling to finish fourth in Sunday’s AAA 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup contest at Dover (Del.) International Speedway. Following the race, Gordon’s crew chief, Alan Gustafson, was named Federal-Mogul’s (NASDAQ: FDML) MOOG “Problem Solver of the Race” based on the 24 car’s race-best 0.025-second-per-lap improvement over the final 200 laps of the “Monster Mile.”

Related Articles

Gustafson’s MOOG win gives him two on the season and elevates him into a three-way tie for third place in the battle for the $100,000 MOOG “Problem Solver of the Year” Award.

Gordon and Gustafson’s Chevrolet SS was 16th on the starting grid but improved to 11th place within the first 30 laps. Gustafson called for a series of adjustments to the MOOG-equipped chassis in each of the first three pit stops. One final correction during a caution on Lap 164 dramatically improved the car’s handling and Gordon slowly advanced to third place behind Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Chevrolet) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 Chevrolet). Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. – both also driving MOOG-equipped cars – finished one-two for the day. Gordon’s fourth-place finish moved him into fifth position in the Chase for the Sprint Cup with just seven events remaining.

“The 24 was a handful during the first half of the race, but Alan methodically dialed in the chassis until Jeff had a really responsive and competitive racecar,” said Federal-Mogul Motorsports Director Tim Nelson. “The Hendrick organization had a great day, with three cars in the top four, and we’re proud that MOOG Steering and Suspension parts played a prominent role in each of their finishes.”

Gustafson’s latest Problem Solver award further tightens the race for season-ending MOOG Problem Solver honors. Ryan Newman (No. 39 Chevrolet) crew chief Matt Borland sits atop the MOOG standings with four weekly Problem Solver wins, followed by three crew chiefs – Todd Gordon (Joey Logano, No. 22 Ford), Kevin Manion (Jamie McMurray, No. 1 Chevrolet) and Gil Martin (Kevin Harvick, No. 29 Chevrolet) with three wins each. Gustafson is tied for third place with Steve Letarte (Dale Earnhardt Jr., No. 88 Chevrolet) and Paul Wolfe (Brad Keselowski, No. 2 Ford) with two weekly Problem Solver wins.

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 designs that improve on original parts 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, please use the convenient, free www.FMe-cat.com electronic catalog.

You May Also Like

Auto Industry

Customer Service: How It’s Done

Customer service should be your number one priority, and it all starts with the greeting.

Eric Garbe
By Eric Garbe
Eric Garbe is a graduate of Columbus State Community College with a degree in Automotive Maintenance Technology. He has extensive independent and dealership field experience as a technician and shop owner and is an ASE Certified Master Technician and former Adjunct Automotive Professor. He has been professionally writing automotive technical articles and documents for many years and in his free time enjoys restoring old cars and creating custom interiors and upholstery.
Published:

This is always an important topic to discuss, because I consider excellent customer service one of the most important tools you can have to earn trust, respect and repeat business from the customers that come through your door. Whether that customer is do-it-yourselfer from across town or the professional repair shop across the street, your business depends on a solid relationship.It’s a subject that I am passionate about, and it’s one that many people are losing touch with. Whether you are communicating to someone in person, on the phone or using some type of social media, good customer service and bad can both exist. You can’t afford the latter, so this is the first in a series of topics which can and should be shared from the front of the shop to the back. No matter which role you hold, you represent the shop and yourself. Customer service should be your number one priority.First on the list is the greeting. From the second a customer walks in the door, they need to know you appreciate them coming in and how important they are to your business. First impressions are everything and here’s the correct way to do it each and every time: look them directly in the eye, smile and say hello!Of course, you can say “Good morning” or “Welcome to Joe’s Autocare,” but it should be a formal greeting and the most important thing is that you have smiled, looked them in the eye and recognized that they have walked through the door.You should always retain a formal greeting until you are on a first-name basis with a customer. Only once you have established that level of relationship is it OK to use the less formal greeting of “Hi,” followed by the person’s name.This greeting does more than just indicate respect and appreciation for someone walking through the door. Most likely there are customers both new and old who are in earshot of your conversation. For newer customers, this continues to build rapport and reinforce their positive view of your shop; they see that you demonstrate respect and treat everyone in the same manner. For repeat customers, even ones that have been coming for years, the greeting is important because the way you treat them is the reason they continue to come.And when a long-time customer comes in and you greet them with “Hi [First Name],” this indicates your appreciation for them and that you’re glad to see them as a person, more than just a customer. New customers that witness this will see that your repeat customers are comfortable enough to be on a first-name basis, another indication of the trust they have in you.

Read Full Article

More News Posts
MEMA Launches At-Home REPAIR Campaign

The next step in the campaign to get the REPAIR Act passed is to get aftermarket suppliers involved.

By Emma Henderson
Shaw Assumes Leadership of MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers

Collin Shaw succeeds Julie Fream who served 10 years in the position.

By Emma Henderson
AACF Launches 65th Anniversary Fundraising Initiative

The campaign aims to raise $65,000 through 1,000 donations of $65 each.

By Counterman Staff
Schaeffler Publishes 2023 Sustainability Report 

Schaeffler was awarded an “A” score in the climate change category for 2023 by the global non-profit environmental organization CDP for corporate transparency and performance.

By Emma Henderson
Schaeffler Sustainability Report

Other Posts

Introducing ‘Sustainability by Schaeffler’ on Counterman.com

In the weeks and months ahead, stay tuned for more sustainability content from Schaeffler and Counterman.

By Josh Cable
Schaeffler Sustainability
Jacki Lutz Named Content Director at Auto Care Association

Lutz will be tasked with leading a cross-functional and multimedia content strategy, development and execution across all platforms.

By Josh Cable
Jacki Lutz Auto Care
Auto Care Association Certified as a Great Place to Work

“This prestigious award is a testament to the association’s commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive and dynamic work environment for its employees,” Auto Care said.

By Josh Cable
HD Repair Shops Report Increases in Counter Sales, Labor Rates

The data comes from a Fullbay report published in partnership with ATA’s Technology and Maintenance Council.

By Josh Cable
Heavy Duty Repair