Wa To Go Newt Moore: He Wins IRWIN Crew Chief of the Week Honors

VERNON HILLS, Ill., April 23, 2002 - The "M&M's"® Racing Team not only had
to battle the bumper-to-bumper racing conditions at Talladega Superspeedway
last Sunday, but it also had to battle a bizarre incident involving the
car's roll bar padding, which cost the team valuable track position early.
But crew chief Newt Moore rallied his team under the strange circumstances
and helped driver Ken Schrader to a top-25 finish.  For his efforts in
Talladega, Moore has been awarded this week's "IRWIN Rough to the Finish"
award.

Starting in 36th place, Schrader began to move up in the draft early,
quickly jumping 13 spots to 23rd place.  But on lap 16, bad luck struck the
No. 36 M&M's Pontiac when the roll bar padding nearest the car's aqua duct
fell off, hitting the ignition switch and killing the motor.  Schrader got
the car re-fired quickly, but the bizarre accident caused him to lose the
draft.  He battled to remain on the lead lap, but without another car to
draft with, Schrader lost a lap to the leaders and quickly fell to 41st
position.  With a few well-executed pit stops and Schrader's ability to
avoid a multi-car accident late in the race, the M&M's team was able to make
up 17 positions to finish 24th.

"I've been involved in racing for a long time, but that's a first for me,"
said Moore when asked about the roll bar padding incident.  "But the team
didn't quit, and we were able to overcome this bit of bad luck and still
finish strong.  This award is a credit to the effort of 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.
 
 "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.
 
 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.