DEWALT Tools Gives $25,000 to `Screwy' Contractor

PHOENIX, Nov. 4, 2003 -- Mike Rennie is officially the best "screwdriver" in North America. The 34-year-old Seattle, WA drywall contractor won first place in the DEWALT "Million Dollar Challenge" national cordless screwdriving contest, sponsored by Chevy Trucks.

The contest was to see who could drive five screws into a piece of wood the fastest with a DEWALT cordless drill. Contestants had to start a timer, pick up the drill, drive the screws, and stop the timer with the drill.

It's not as easy as it sounds. Rennie says he built his own screwdriving station and drove 450,000 screws over the past 10 months practicing for the event.

He competed against the 13 fastest "drivers" from the U.S. and Canada during the final contest held November 1-2 at the Phoenix International Raceway in Arizona.

The 14 contestants were seeded tournament-style. A process of elimination determined the "King of the Drill."

Rennie sank five screws in 7.6 seconds to win the event. DEWALT awarded him with $25,000 and a new Chevy Silverado pickup truck.

In addition, Rennie had the chance to earn a $1,000,000 grand prize if he could sink five screws in under 6.5 seconds during the grand finale on the start/finish line. He was on pace to beat the clock for the million-dollar prize, but his bit slipped on the fourth screw and he ended with a time of 8.06 seconds.

  FINAL STANDINGS:

   1) Mike Rennie - Kirkland, WA - drywall installer
   2) Ben Palmer - Russellville, AR - HVAC technician
   3) Jaime Mills - Holland, OH - carpenter
   4) Kane Powell - Panora, IA - cabinet installer
   5) Tom Holland - Philadelphia, PA - plumbing contractor
   6) Mark Martin - Ostrander, OH - general contractor
   7) Alex Mealer - Columbus, OH - electrician
   8) Mike Fischer - Huntley, IL - carpenter
   9) Dan Rancourt - Wilton, NH - commercial contractor
   10) Sergio Romero - Tucson, AZ - cabinet installer
   11) Eric Howard - Concord, CA - custom gazebo builder
   12) James McAnally - Lakewood, FL - ceiling installer
   13) Rocky Lane - Loudon, TN - remodeler
   14) Kevin Brunette - Calgary, Alberta (Canada) - contractor

Qualifying for the screwdriving contest ran throughout the U.S. and Canada from April through September. More than 100,000 people entered. DEWALT held regional events in October to determine the final 14 who competed in Phoenix.

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