IRWIN Rough to Finish Award: Kurt Busch and the #97 Rubbermaid team showed grit and determination in coming back from three laps down to finish eighth in Sunday’s New England 300.. As a result of their teamwork, crew chief Jimmy Fennig takes home this week’s “Irwin Rough to the Finish” Award, his third of the season. After starting the race in the 23rd position and climbing as high as fourth, the Rubbermaid team suffered its first of two setbacks – a flat left front tire – midway through the race and quickly fell two laps down to 33rd position.. A few laps later, more tragedy struck the #97 team as they discovered a hole in the radiator.. Immediately Busch came into the pits to repair the damage, but the team was now down three laps to the race leaders. But thanks to some well-timed pit stops, determined driving and a season-high 14 caution flags, Busch managed to make it back on the lead lap and gain 24 track positions to finish in eighth-place. Midway through the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup season, Jimmy Fennig, crew chief of the #97 Rubbermaid Ford, leads a tightly contested race for the Irwin Crew Chief of the Year honors. Fennig has won this weekly honor three times this season (Subway 400, MBNA Platinum 400 and New England 300). The standings as of July 23 are as follows (five points awarded with each honor): 1) Jimmy Fennig, #97 Rubbermaid Ford, 15 pts. 2) Chad Knaus, #48 Lowe’s Chevy, 10 pts. 2) Bill Wilburn, #2 Miller Lite Ford, 10 pts. 4) 13 crew chiefs tied for fourth-place with 5 pts. Each week throughout the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup season, Irwin, makers of professional power tool accessories like Marathon Plus saw blades and Speedbor flat bits, is partnering with Performance Racing Network to honor the crew chief who had the toughest day in the pits, but still managed to help his team to a strong finish. The IRWIN Rough to the Finish Award includes an assortment of tools for the crew chief and a $250 check donated to the Ellerbe, NC Educational Fund in the racing team’s name.. The year-end winner of the crew chief points standings will win a $5,000 check donated to the Fund.. Race fans wanting to make a contribution to the Fund may do so by sending it to the Ellerbe, NC Educational Fund, PO Box 443, Ellerbe, NC 28338. In addition to the crew chief award, Irwin is also sponsoring the weekly nationally syndicated radio show, “Fast Talk with Benny Parsons”, throughout the upcoming year.(Golin Harris PR)(7-25-2002) (7-24-2002)
