IRWIN Rough to Finish Award: Everyone knew that last Sunday’s Pepsi 400 at Michigan International Speedway would come down to pit strategy and a tremendous effort on the track. Proving that true, Dale Jarrett drove the #88 UPS Racing Ford to a win after a spin on lap 12 sent him to the back of the pack. But it was crew chief Todd Parrott’s sound pit strategy on the final pit stop of the day that helped secure Jarrett’s second win of the season and his second IRWIN “Rough to the Finish” Award of the season. On lap 12, Jarrett passed Jeremy Mayfield and suddenly got loose through the end of turn four, sending him spinning through the infield grass. After a quick pit stop to repair the damages to the left front fender, Jarrett started at the back of the lead lap, but consistently moved up through of the field as the day went on. By the halfway point of the race, Jarrett had climbed inside the top-10, where he remained for most of the second half. When the final pit stop came around and it was time to make a strategy decision, Parrott decided that four tires were the way to go when most teams were taking two. The move placed Jarrett in 17th position, but he quickly moved up, taking the lead from Jeff Burton for good with four laps remaining. “It was an incredible day, both on the track and in the pits,” said Parrott.. “Who would have thought we’d be in Victory Lane after spinning out like we did?. Dale did a tremendous job charging up through the field, and the guys in the pits never let up for a second. This award is a credit to this entire team’s efforts and proves that if you stay focused under pressure, you can come out victorious.” 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)(8-22-2002)
