Robbie Reiser Wins "IRWIN Crew Chief of the Week" Honors

IRWIN Crew Chief of the Week Honors 


VERNON HILLS, Ill., May 7, 2002 - Matt Kenseth and the DEWALT racing team
showed their determination and resilience in fighting their way back from
adversity early on in Sunday's rain-delayed Pontiac Excitement 400 to finish
in sixth-place.  As a result, team crew chief Robbie Reiser takes home this
week's "IRWIN Rough to the Finish" award for the team's efforts at Richmond
International Raceway.

Kenseth got down two laps early in the race when his No. 17 car suffered
damage to the exhaust system after contact was made with Steve Park on lap
36.  Repairs needed were far more significant than crew chief Robbie Reiser
initially thought, and as a result, Kenseth fell back to 42nd position after
running as high as sixth.  Yet, the determination of Reiser and the team's
pit crew, along with Kenseth's great driving, allowed the No. 17 car to
battle back from two laps down and challenge for the lead late in a race
where it had appeared it was out of reach. 

"You've got to take your bad days and make them into good days, and that's
what we did today," commented Reiser.  "The crew did a phenomenal job
repairing that car with all the stuff that was broken on it.  They've shown
that they want to win a championship and they're in it until the end.  It
gives us confidence knowing that we can overcome such adversity and still
finish strong.  Matt 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.
> 
> 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.
> 
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