Tony Eury Wins IRWIN Crew Chief of the Week Award

 
> VERNON HILLS, Ill., July 30, 2002 - It was a rough day for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 8 Budweiser team, as Dale Jr. was a helpless passenger in a multi-car wreck on the first lap during last Sunday> '> s Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway.  Despite the accident and serious damage to the race car, the Bud team was able to make repairs and return to the track, earning team crew chief Tony Eury this week> '> s > "> IRWIN Rough to the Finish> ">  Award. 
> 
Dale Jr., starting 11th, seemed poised for a strong run on Sunday, but high hopes ended almost before they began when contact between the cars of Steve Park and Rusty Wallace sent Park sliding across the track and into the No. 8 car.  The two machines remained together as they slid across the wet infield grass before making horrendous impact with the inside guard rail.  Fortunately, no one was injured

The same could not be said for the No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet, however.  As many as 23 crew members representing all three DEI teams pitched in to make significant repairs to the heavily-damaged car, cobbling together parts from all of the DEI teams to replace the entire front body work and much of the mud-caked external engine parts.  As a result of their determination and teamwork, Dale Jr. was able to return to the track and finish the race in 37th position.

"I could not be prouder of my guys right now if we had won the race," said Eury.  "The fact that we fought through the bad luck, pulled together and put the car back on the track says a lot about this team.  This award is a credit to this crew and their 'never say die' attitude." 

> 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 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.> "> 
> 
> 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.
> 
> 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 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.> "> 
> 
> 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 deli> ver 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.  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.  
> 
> 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. 
>