Chris Gabehart, Crew Chief for Denny Hamlin and No. 11 Toyota, Wins 2019 MOOG® 'Problem Solver of the Year' Award
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Chris Gabehart, rookie crew chief for Denny Hamlin and the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) No. 11 Toyota Camry in the Monster Energy NASCAR® Cup Series, captured the 2019 MOOG® "Problem Solver of the Year" Award by winning his series-best fourth weekly MOOG award during the season-ending Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway. Gabehart received a $100,000 Problem Solver of the Year check and handcrafted MOOG ball joint trophy during NASCAR Champions Week in Nashville, Tenn. MOOG, the "Official Steering and Suspension Partner of NASCAR," has been involved in NASCAR competition for 54 consecutive years.
The MOOG Problem Solver awards recognize Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series crew chiefs whose in-race decisions best improve their cars' competitiveness. The Problem Solver of the Race Award is presented following each Cup Series event to the crew chief whose car posts the greatest improvement in average lap speed from the first half to the second half of the race while finishing on the lead lap. MOOG Problem Solver of the Year honors go to the crew chief with the most weekly MOOG award wins.
Heading into the season finale, Gabehart was tied with four other crew chiefs – including three JGR teammates – with three weekly MOOG award wins. He broke the tie, securing his first Problem Solver of the Year Award, after the #11 Toyota posted a race-best 0.212-second improvement during the second half of competition on Homestead-Miami's mile-and-a-half oval. The four crew chiefs finishing the year with three weekly MOOG awards were 2018 MOOG Problem Solver of the Year Adam Stevens, No. 18 JGR Toyota; Cole Pearn, No. 19 JGR Toyota; Chris Gayle, No. 20 JGR Toyota; and Michael Wheeler, No. 95 Leavine Family Racing Toyota. Twenty different crew chiefs earned at least one weekly MOOG award during the 36-race season.
"The competition for this prestigious award has become more intense every year," said Tim Nelson, director of motorsports for the MOOG brand and DRiV. "There's a great deal of pride in knowing that their behind-the-scenes strategies and competitive decisions are reflected in the results of every race and in the year-end Cup Series standings. We congratulate Chris for being the NASCAR's top problem solver in 2019."
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2019, MOOG is one of the most respected – and trusted – brands in professional stock car racing. Since 1966, the MOOG brand has carried every Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion to victory.
To learn more about the MOOG brand and product line, please visit www.MOOGparts.com or contact your MOOG supplier. Like MOOG on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MOOGparts, follow MOOG on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/MOOGparts, or connect with the brand on Instagram at www.Instagram.com/MOOGparts.
About DRiVTM - the future Aftermarket and Ride Performance Company
Following Tenneco Inc.'s (NYSE: TEN) expected separation to form two independent companies, an Aftermarket and Ride Performance company (DRiVTM) as well as a new Powertrain Technology company, DRiV will be one of the largest global multi-line, multi-brand aftermarket companies, and one of the largest global OE ride performance and braking companies. DRiV's principal product brands will feature Monroe®, Öhlins®, Walker®, Clevite® Elastomers, MOOG®, Fel-Pro®, Wagner®, Ferodo®, Champion® and others. DRiV would have 2018 pro-forma revenues of $6.4 billion, with 54% of those revenues from aftermarket and 46% from original equipment customers.
Safe Harbor
This release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements relating to our plans to separate into two independent companies. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to materially differ from those described in the forward-looking statements, including the possibility that Tenneco may not complete the separation of the Aftermarket & Ride Performance business from the Powertrain Technology business (or achieve some or all of the anticipated benefits of such a separation); the possibility that the acquisition of Federal-Mogul or the separation may have an adverse impact on existing arrangements with Tenneco, including those related to transition, manufacturing and supply services and tax matters; the ability to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with customers, suppliers or other business partners; the risk that the benefits of the acquisition of Federal-Mogul or the separation, including synergies, may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the risk that the acquisition of Federal-Mogul or the separation may not advance Tenneco's business strategy; the risk that Tenneco may experience difficulty integrating all employees or operations; the potential diversion of Tenneco management's attention resulting from the separation; as well as the risk factors and cautionary statements included in Tenneco's periodic and current reports (Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K) filed from time to time with the SEC. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Unless otherwise indicated, the forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date of this communication, and, except as required by law, Tenneco does not undertake any obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to publicly disclose revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements. Additional information regarding these risk factors and uncertainties is detailed from time to time in the company's SEC filings, including but not limited to its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.
CONTACT:
Bill Dawson (DRiV) – 847.482.5807
bdawson@driv.com
Karen Shulhan (DRiV) – 248.354.4383
karen.shulhan@driv.com
SOURCE DRiV