SOUTHFIELD, MI – Federal-Mogul’s MOOG brand of steering and suspension components has established a weekly and annual awards program that will honor the best-performing crew chief following each 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event and at the conclusion of the ’08 season.

The MOOG “Problem Solver of the Race” Award, presented for the first time following the season-opening Daytona 500 to Pat Tryson of Penske Racing, builds upon the brand’s decades-long leadership in all forms of NASCAR competition.

“The MOOG Problem Solver of the Race and Master Crew Chief of the Year award celebrates the behind-the-scenes professionals who play such vital roles in fine-tuning their cars’ setup for the strongest possible finish. Pat Tryson had an unbelievable day in Daytona, taking a car from the last row to a runner-up finish, and helping push his teammate to victory,” said Federal-Mogul NASCAR Motorsports Director Tim Nelson.

Tryson, in his first full year with the Penske Racing team, helped propel the #2 Miller Lite Dodge driven by Kurt Busch from 43rd position at the start to a thrilling second-place finish behind race winner and Penske teammate Ryan Newman. In fact, the #2 Dodge helped secure Newman’s victory after a restart on Lap 198. As Newman moved to the outside of race leader Tony Stewart on the restart, Busch provided a push that allowed Newman’s #12 Dodge to surge into the lead.

The Problem Solver of the Race Award is presented to the crew chief whose team finishes in the top 10 and on the lead lap and posts the largest increase in average lap speed from the first half to second half of a race. “This level of improvement is commonly due to the crew chief’s work in solving a variety of chassis issues and other problems that existed earlier in the race,” Nelson explained.

For additional information, visit: www.moogproblemsolver.com.