IRWIN Rough to Finish Award: Steve Park and the #1 Pennzoil team recorded their season-best finish at last weekend’s Brickyard 400 at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Despite the blazing temperatures and tough competition on the track, the Pennzoil crew kept Park in the hunt all afternoon, helping to earn crew chief Paul Andrews this week’s “Irwin Rough to the Finish” Award. Andrew’s call on the final pit stop was a big factor in the final outcome of the race. The caution came out about ten laps before the Pennzoil team was planning to pit. Andrews had planned to take only two tires, but the additional time between the pit stop and the race’s end prompted him to take four instead. Park was quickly able to make up track position with four fresh tires and bring home the team’s first top-10 of the season. 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)(8-8-2002)
