Chad Knaus Wins "IRWIN Crew Chief of the Week" Honors

VERNON HILLS, Ill., March 5, 2002 - After qualifying near the back of the pack for last week's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 in Las Vegas, Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 team rallied back from a bit of bad luck to finish an eye-catching sixth, the highest finishing spot for the team this season. Johnson climbed from 25th to 13th position early in the race before falling a lap back after an ill-timed green flag pit stop. Despite the setback, the team's crew chief, Chad Knaus, was confident that they had a car capable enough to post a strong finish and be a top competitor in the race. Johnson, who led the race at one point, managed to gain a total of 19 track positions throughout the course of the race and cross the finish line in sixth position, helping earn Knaus this week's "IRWIN Rough to Finish Award." "I was a little nervous when we got a lap down, but the Lowe's Chevy was consistently turning the fastest lap time, so we knew it was only a matter of time until we were running up front again," said Knaus. "I knew that we had a great car. We just had to be patient and work our way through the field. This award is a credit to our whole team, not just one individual." 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. The "IRWIN Rough to the Finish Award" includes an assortment of tools for the crew chief and a $250 check donated to the Connie Parsons Memorial 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. 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