IRWIN Rough to Finish Award: The road to success at Watkins Glen International was paved by road-racing specialists, like P.J. Jones, son of 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner Parnelli Jones. Jones drove the #14 Conseco Pontiac to a fourth-place finish in the Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen Sunday afternoon, the first top-five finish for the Conseco team this year. Thanks to Jones’ efforts on the track and the great teamwork exhibited in the pits all day, team crew chief Mike Hillman takes home this week’s “IRWIN Rough to the Finish” Award. Jones, the top finisher among the road racing specialists hired by teams to replace their regular drivers for the one-off event, qualified in 14th position, which also was the team’s best start since April.. The 33-year-old California native ran in the top-10 for most of the race, but a two-tire stop with 43 laps to go gave him the top-five track position. With fuel consumption becoming an issue, the team was able to take advantage of several late cautions as a way to conserve fuel and finish the race strong. 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)(8-14-2002) (8-13-2002)
