Kurt Busch Captures Cup Series Points Lead, Crew Chief Steve Addington Named NASCAR MOOG Problem Solver of the Race at Bristol

Kurt Busch continued his streak of top 10s and edged out Carl Edwards for the lead in NASCAR Sprint Cup series points with a hard-charging seventh-place finish in Sunday’s Jeff Byrd 500 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. Following the race, Busch’s crew chief, Steve Addington, received Federal-Mogul’s MOOG chassis parts “Problem Solver of the Race” Award in recognition of the #22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge Charger’s strong performance in the second half of the event.

The MOOG Problem Solver award is presented to the crew chief whose car delivers the largest increase in average lap speed during the second half of each race while finishing on the lead lap. Busch, who started in 20th position, quickly fought his way into the top 10 and then consistently ran in the top eight over the final 250 laps of Bristol’s .533-mile oval. The MOOG chassis parts-equipped #22 Dodge hasn’t finished out of the top 10 all year, running fifth at Daytona, eighth at Phoenix and ninth at Las Vegas before this week’s race.

“Kurt and Steve really know how to get the most out their car, week in and week out,” said Federal-Mogul Motorsports Director Tim Nelson. “While they’d much rather win these races, the ability to identify and solve problems between qualifying and race day, and then during the race itself, is key to winning a Sprint Cup championship – and it’s no surprise to anyone that the #22 car is now leading the points race.”

Busch’s Penske Racing-owned Dodge is equipped with precision-engineered MOOG steering and suspension components. The MOOG brand has been the dominant choice of leading NASCAR crew chiefs and drivers for nearly half a century, and every Cup champion has driven to victory with MOOG components for 45 straight years.

“Crew chiefs love MOOG parts because they know they can make precise adjustments to the chassis at virtually any point in a race to enhance steering precision and overall handling,” Nelson said. “Steve and the #22 Dodge team made all the right decisions in the pits to help Kurt fight his way toward the front and then stay there. That’s exactly what the MOOG Problem Solver award is all about.”