IRWIN Rough to Finish Award: It was a rough day for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the #8 Budweiser team, as Dale Jr. was a helpless passenger in a multi-car wreck on the first lap during last Sundays Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono. Despite the accident and serious damage to the race car, the Bud team was able to make repairs and return to the track, earning team crew chief Tony Eury this week’s “Irwin Rough to the Finish” Award. Dale Jr., starting 11th, seemed poised for a strong run on Sunday, but high hopes ended almost before they began when contact between the cars of #1-Steve Park and #2-Rusty Wallace sent Park sliding across the track and into the #8 car. The two machines remained together as they slid across the wet infield grass before making horrendous impact with the inside guard rail.. Fortunately, no one was injured. The same could not be said for the #8 Budweiser Chevy, however. As many as 23 crew members representing all three DEI teams pitched in to make significant repairs to the heavily-damaged car, cobbling together parts from all of the DEI teams to replace the entire front body work and much of the mud-caked external engine parts. As a result of their determination and teamwork, Dale Jr. was able to return to the track and finish the race in 37th position. “I could not be prouder of my guys right now if we had won the race,” said Eury. “The fact that we fought through the bad luck, pulled together and put the car back on the track says a lot about this team. This award is a credit to this crew and their never say die” attitude.” 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)(7-31-2002)
