Todd Parrott Wins IRWIN Crew Chief of the Week Award

 
> Sawing Through Adversity, No. 88 Crew Chief Todd Parrott Takes Home 
> IRWIN Crew Chief of the Week Honors 
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> VERNON HILLS, Ill., August 20, 2002 - Everyone knew that last Sunday> '> s Pepsi 400 at Michigan International Speedway would come down to pit strategy and a tremendous effort on the track.  Proving that true, Dale Jarrett drove the No. 88 UPS Racing Ford Taurus to a win after a spin on lap 12 sent him to the back of the pack.  But it was crew chief Todd Parrott's sound pit strategy on the final pit stop of the day that helped secure Jarrett> '> s second win of the season and his second IRWIN > "> Rough to the Finish> ">  Award of the season.
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> On lap 12, Jarrett passed Jeremy Mayfield and suddenly got loose through the end of turn four, sending him spinning through the infield grass.  After a quick pit stop to repair the damages to the left front fender, Jarrett started at the back of the lead lap, but consistently moved up through of the field as the day went on.   By the halfway point of the race, Jarrett had climbed inside the top-10, where he remained for most of the second half.  When the final pit stop came around and it was time to make a strategy decision, Parrott decided that four tires were the way to go when most teams were taking two.  The move placed Jarrett in 17th position, but he quickly moved up, taking the lead from Jeff Burton for good with four laps remaining.  
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> "It was an incredible day, both on the track and in the pits,> ">  said Parrott.   > "> Who would have thought we'd be in Victory Lane after spinning out like we did?  Dale did a tremendous job charging up through the field, and the guys in the pits never let up for a second.  This award is a credit to this entire team> '> s efforts and proves that if you stay focused under pressure, you can come out victorious.> "> 
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> Each week throughout the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup season, IRWIN, makers of professional power tool accessories like MARATHON PLUS saw blades and SPEEDBOR flat bits, is partnering with Performance Racing Network to honor the crew chief who had the toughest day in the pits, but still managed to help his team to a strong finish.
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> "> IRWIN is proud to honor the hard-working crew chiefs of NASCAR Winston Cup Racing with this award,> ">  said David Pirkle of IRWIN.  > "> Much like our line of bits and blades optimize a power tool> '> s performance, these professionals have had to perform in all types of conditions, with many surprises and under intense pressure.  Through the course of the race the selected crew has been able to optimize their car> '> s performance.> "> 
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> The IRWIN Rough to the Finish Award includes an assortment of tools for the crew chief and a $250 check donated to the Ellerbe, NC Educational Fund in the racing team> '> s name.  The year-end winner of the crew chief points standings will win a $5,000 check donated to the Fund.  Race fans wanting to make a contribution to the Fund may do so by sending it to the Ellerbe, NC Educational Fund, PO Box 443, Ellerbe, NC 28338.
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> In addition to the crew chief award, IRWIN is also sponsoring the weekly nationally syndicated radio show, > "> Fast Talk with Benny Parsons> "> , throughout the upcoming year.  
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> "> Working with Benny Parsons and the PRN family is a natural fit for the IRWIN bits and blades line,> ">  said Pirkle.  > "> The NASCAR fan-base is a hands-on group of people that are driven to do it themselves, if they can.  IRWIN bits and blades are engineered to last long and provide precise cuts that will help professionals and DIYers do their best work.> "> 
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> IRWIN offers a complete line of saw blades and drill bits. From framing to the finest trim work; the performance of your bit and/or blade can be the difference between a long, hard day or one that runs smooth and easy.  IRWIN speciali> zes in the engineering and the manufacturing of these high performance bits and blades.  Each is engineered to last, to deliver precision cuts and to optimize the output of your power tool.  IRWIN drill bits includes SPEEDBOR wood boring bits, TURBOMAX drill bits, UNI-BIT step drill bits, and the unique IRWIN multi-purpose drill bits that penetrate various materials such as brick, marble, plastic, metal, cement and wood.  A complete list of IRWIN products and capabilities is online at www.irwintool.com.
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> IRWIN is a brand of American Tool Companies, Inc., a global manufacturer and marketer of top-quality hand tools, power tool accessories, clamping tools and marking tools.  American Tool Companies employs more than 4,000 people at facilities in Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin, Maine, New York and in 11 other countries.  American Tool's product portfolio includes branded hand tools such as VISE-GRIP® locking tools, QUICK-GRIP® clamping tools and STRAIT-LINE® marking tools in addition to power tool accessories, such as IRWIN® drill bits and MARATHON® saw blades.  
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> American Tool is a division of Newell Rubbermaid Inc., a global marketer of consumer products with 2001 sales of nearly $7 billion and a powerful brand family, including Sharpie®, Paper Mate®, Parker®, Waterman®, Rubbermaid®, Blue Ice®, Calphalon®, Little Tikes®, Graco®/Century®, Levolor®, Kirsch®, Shur-Line®, and Eldon®. The company is headquartered in Freeport, Illinois and employs 49,000 people worldwide. 
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