Todd Berrier wins Moog NASCAR 'Problem solver of the race' award

Jeff Burton got caught speeding in the pits during the first half of Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Auto Club 500 in Fontana, Calif., but it wasn’t until he fell back into last place under penalty that he showed what his Caterpillar Chevrolet could really do.

Burton drove through the field over the next 71 laps, briefly taking the lead before settling for a solid third-place finish. Following the race, Federal-Mogul Corporation, manufacturer of MOOG chassis parts, presented the NASCAR MOOG “Problem Solver of the Race” Award to Burton’s crew chief, Todd Berrier, for preparing a car that was clearly the fastest on the track for much of Sunday’s action.

The MOOG award is presented following each NASCAR Sprint Cup event to the crew chief whose car posts the largest increase in average lap speed from the first half to the second half of the race while finishing on the lead lap. Burton and the No. 31 Chevrolet picked up a race-best 0.314-second in average lap speed over the final 100 laps of Auto Club Speedway’s 2-mile D-shaped oval.

“Jeff told us after the race that his MOOG-equipped chassis really felt great today, but especially after the penalty when he just started driving by people,” said Federal-Mogul Motorsports Director Tim Nelson. “It was an amazing run, from 43rd to first in less than half the race, and then being able to fight off several late challenges to finish in the top five. Todd and the Richard Childress Racing crew gave Jeff a great car – they’re picking up where they left off at the end of last season.”

MOOG chassis parts help deliver the consistent, precise steering and handling response needed to ensure success in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition. That’s why MOOG is the preferred chassis brand of crew chiefs and professional technicians.