SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Tony Gibson, crew chief for Kurt Busch and the No. 41 Haas Automation Chevrolet SS, was named MOOG “Problem Solver of the Race” after the Stewart-Haas Racing team finished fifth in Sunday’s CampingWorld.com 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Phoenix International Raceway. MOOG is the Official Steering and Suspension of NASCAR.
Sponsored by Federal-Mogul Motorparts, a division of Federal-Mogul Holdings Corp., the weekly MOOG Problem Solver award is presented to the crew chief whose car posts the greatest second-half improvement in average lap time while finishing on the lead lap. The No. 41 Chevrolet improved by a race-best 0.087-second per lap over the final 156 laps at PIR.
Busch started in eighth position and ran in the top five for most of the afternoon. At times during the final 100 miles, it appeared that the MOOG-equipped 41 car had the best shot at race leader and eventual winner Kevin Harvick. Following a caution with 24 laps to go, Busch restarted 10th and made a strong charge toward the front, again cracking the top five with four laps remaining.
Harvick’s MOOG-equipped No. 4 Chevrolet has won four straight races at Phoenix and four of its last seven Cup starts dating back to last season.
“This was the first time Tony and Kurt were together for a Cup race this year and they were nearly flawless on the track and on pit road,” said Tim Nelson, director of motorsports for Federal-Mogul Motorparts. “The 41 car was running fast all weekend. Tony made some great calls on chassis setup and racing strategy to give them a legitimate chance at a win.”
With four races in the books, four different crew chiefs have taken home weekly MOOG honors. At the end of the season, Federal-Mogul Motorparts will present the $100,000 MOOG “Problem Solver of the Year” Award to the crew chief with the most weekly Problem Solver wins.
The preferred choice of professional technicians and NASCAR crew chiefs, MOOG is in its 50th year of Cup competition. MOOG parts have been the choice of every Cup series champion since 1966, an unprecedented 49-year winning streak.
