Tommy Baldwin Wins "IRWIN Crew Chief of the Week" Honors

VERNON HILLS, Ill., March 27, 2002 - Battling power system problems last
Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway, Tommy Baldwin, crew chief for the No. 22
Caterpillar Dodge, rallied his team back into contention midway through the
Food City 500, only to fall victim once again to the voltage problems that
plagued the racecar all day.  As a result of his efforts, driver Ward Burton
was able to climb to a 25th place finish from as far back as 40th position,
earning Baldwin this week's "IRWIN Rough to the Finish Award."

Burton began experiencing voltage problems early in the race, forcing
Baldwin to order him to shut down the fans and cooling systems in an effort
to save the racecar's battery.  During an early caution, Baldwin had the
crew put in a new battery after determining that the wiring system was not
the problem.  After the pit stop, it wasn't long before Burton found himself
back in the thick of things, running as high as fourth position.  But on lap
320, excitement turned to frustration as the voltage began to drop once
again .  Despite several pit stops to replace the battery, Burton fought the
problem throughout the end of the race.   

"We had a voltage problem early and just tried to wait out a caution so we
could figure out exactly what was causing it," said Tommy Baldwin.  "After
checking the wiring system and replacing the battery, we thought we had
solved our problem.  Ward drove that thing up through traffic, got his lap
back and raced with the leaders midway through the race.  But sometimes
things don't go your way, and we fought the voltage problem all day.  Ward
did a heck of a job battling today, and my hat's off to him and this whole
crew for their efforts."

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.

"IRWIN is proud to honor the hard-working crew chiefs of NASCAR Winston Cup
Racing with this award," said Chris Connington, Vice President, Marketing,
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."

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.  Race fans wanting to
make a contribution to the Fund may do so by sending it to The Connie
Parsons Memorial Fund, PO Box 443, Ellerbe, NC 28338.

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.  

"Working with Benny Parsons and the PRN family is a natural fit for the
IRWIN bits and blades line," said Connington.  "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."

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
specializes 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 <http://www.irwintool.com>.

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.

Other American Tool product lines include VISE-GRIP® locking tools,
QUICK-GRIP® clamping tools, STRAIT-LINE® marking tools and RECORD® hand
tools. For company information, customers can visit www.americantool.com.