IRWIN Rough to Finish Award #1 Team: Steve Park, driver of the No. 1 Pennzoil Chevrolet, topped his season best finish at Indy with a sixth place run last weekend at the EA Sports 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. As a result of the team’s efforts, new crew chief Tony Gibson takes home this week’s IRWIN “Rough to the Finish” Award. Due to a rained out qualifying session, the field was set by points, forcing Park to start 35th. He maneuvered the Pennzoil Chevrolet to the front quietly throughout the course of the caution-free event. Gibson helped call the shots Sunday, and he led the team to lightning-fast pit stops, taking only two tires each time. The car got steadily better as the day went on, and Park was in the front pack for the entire race. His sixth place finish is his best of the 2002 season and moves him up one spot in the Winston Cup points. “I couldn’t be happier how things turned out for this team today,” said Gibson. “It is a credit to this team to overcome the things it has this season and turn out a performance like this. Everybody in the pits works hard each week; no one ever gives up. This award is a credit to their efforts week in and week out.” 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)(10-10-2002)
