A slipping clutch didn’t keep NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jeff Gordon from posting an impressive runner-up finish in the Kobalt Tools 500, and much of the credit went to Gordon’s crew chief, Steve Latarte, who was presented the NASCAR MOOG® “Problem Solver of the Race” Award following the event.
The MOOG “Problem Solver of the Race Award” is sponsored by Federal-Mogul Corporation. The award is presented to the Sprint Cup crew chief whose team posts the largest increase in average lap speed from the first half to the second half of a race.
Gordon and the No. 24 DuPont/National Guard Chevrolet started the race in 16th position but quickly moved into the top five at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Hendrick Motorsports-owned car remained within an earshot of the lead throughout the race, in spite of a clutch problem caused when the car lurched off the jack during a mid-race pit stop. From that point on, Gordon had problems engaging the transmission when exiting his pit stall, costing precious seconds.
In spite of this handicap, the No. 24 car recorded a race-best .427-second increase in average lap speed in the second half of the event and Gordon posted the fastest official speed of the day — 181.187 mph, on lap 223.
“This team has just been unbelievable this year,” Gordon says. “The fire in their eye and the things they’ve been working on back at the shop and the set-ups that match my driving styles.”
Indeed, Gordon, who went all of 2008 without a Sprint Cup victory, has already posted three top-10 finishes in four races this year. The No. 24 car also won one of the qualifying races for the 2009 Daytona 500®.
“Jeff had exceptional pit support all day,” says Federal-Mogul Motorsports Director Tim Nelson. “It was clear that the No. 24 car had a good set-up for the track conditions. More importantly, Crew Chief Steve Latarte and his team had some incredibly fast pit stops that put Jeff near the lead on several restarts.”
For more information, visit www.moogproblemsolver.com.
