Casey Mears' Crew Chief Robert 'Bootie' Barker Earns Career-First MOOG Problem Solver Of The Race Award At Daytona

Casey Mears’ Crew Chief Robert ‘Bootie’ Barker Earns Career-First MOOG Problem Solver Of The Race Award At Daytona

The MOOG award is presented following each Sprint Cup contest to the crew chief whose car has posted the greatest second-half improvement in average lap time while finishing on the lead lap.

MOOG-NASCAR

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Casey Mears and Robert “Bootie” Barker, driver and crew chief, respectively, of the No. 13 GEICO Chevrolet SS, earned one of the final spots in the starting grid for Sunday’s Daytona 500 thanks to another driver’s last-second pass in Thursday’s 150-mile qualifier. On Sunday evening, they were celebrating an impressive top-10 finish in NASCAR’s most prestigious event as well as Barker’s career-first “Problem Solver of the Race” award from MOOG, Official Steering and Suspension of NASCAR.

The MOOG award is presented following each Sprint Cup contest to the crew chief whose car has posted the greatest second-half improvement in average lap time while finishing on the lead lap. The MOOG-equipped No. 13 Chevrolet, owned by Germain Racing, delivered a race-best 0.112-second improvement as it picked up 35 positions overall to finish sixth at Daytona. MOOG Steering and Suspension is a brand of Federal-Mogul Motorparts, which is a division of Federal-Mogul Holdings Corp.

Mears and Barker, who blew an engine early in their 150-mile qualifier, edged into the Sunday’s starting field based on 2014 Cup Series points as well as Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s final-lap pass of Brian Scott in the Thursday night event. Regardless of how they qualified for Sunday’s “Great American Race,” the 13 team made the most of the opportunity, with Barker’s strategy focused on staying clear of contact in the early going and then driving toward the front over the final 40 laps. With the help of precise adjustments to the car’s MOOG-equipped chassis, Mears was running strong in 18th position on Lap 161. The 13 car improved to 12th just five laps later and cracked the top 10 with 18 laps to go. Mears was closing in on the top five when the field was frozen following a final-lap accident.

“Bootie and Casey had a perfect restrictor plate strategy and when the time came, they had the power and handling to make a strong move toward the front,” said Tim Nelson, director of motorsports for the MOOG brand and Federal-Mogul Motorparts. “A big part of the problem-solving process at tracks like Daytona and Talladega is to stay out of trouble early and focus on making your car better through smart chassis adjustments and great pit performance. Bootie and the Germain racing crew were outstanding today.”

The preferred choice of professional technicians and NASCAR crew chiefs, MOOG is in its 50th year of Cup competition. The brand also sponsors the $100,000 “Problem Solver of the Year” award, presented to the crew chief with the best overall performance throughout the 36-race Sprint Cup season. MOOG parts have been the choice of every Cup Series champion since 1966, an unprecedented 49-year winning streak.

To learn more about MOOG products, contact your MOOG Steering and Suspension supplier or visit the technician-focused www.moogproblemsolver.com website. Like MOOG on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/moogproblemsolver and follow the brand on Twitter for product updates and special promotions.

You May Also Like

Advance to Spin Off Worldpac as Company Reports Operating Loss

Advance also will divest its Canadian business and announced a $150 million cost-reduction program.

New Advance Auto Parts CEO Shane O’Kelly served as a U.S. Army captain in the 1990s after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Early in Advance’s third-quarter conference call on Nov. 15 – during which the company reported an operating loss of $43.7 million – O’Kelly said his time in the military taught him the importance of aligning an organization “around fewer measurable goals while ensuring while ensuring discipline and accountability in the process to achieve those goals.”

Counterman on Holiday

Counterman will send its regularly scheduled Thursday e-newsletter on Friday, Nov. 24.

Dana Receives MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers DEI Award

The association presented the DEI Award to Dana at AAPEX in Las Vegas.

Roger McCollum to Serve as UAF Chairman

McCollum replaces outgoing chairman Bob Egan, who has transitioned to the role of chairman emeritus for the foundation.

Philips Work Light Earns Best New Tool for Repairs Award

The Philips Xperion 6000 UV Pillar work light received the award from the Import Vehicle Community at AAPEX in Las Vegas.

Other Posts

Right to Repair Triumphs in Maine Referendum

At press time, more than 80% of Maine voters had answered “yes” to Ballot Question 4.

Fenix Parts Completes Acquisition of Brothers Auto Parts

Brothers is a full-service automotive recycler servicing the Indianapolis market.

WIX Filters Announces Promotion Winners

The 2023 “Win with WIX” installer promotion took place from June 27 through Aug. 25.

Raybestos Launches Updated Website

The website is designed for easier navigation with updated content and an overall sleek new design.