Roswell, Ga. (June 22, 2010) - Gene Nead, crew chief for the No. 7 Monster Energy Toyota driven by Robby Gordon, has been named
the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race following Sunday's race at
Infineon Raceway.
Nead, looking for a strategy that would pay off at the end of the race,
made a call midway through the event that put his driver in position to
win. The second caution of the day fell at lap 58, leaving a tough call
for the crew chiefs. With Gordon running in 10th and just 10 laps
outside is fuel window, Nead called his driver to pit road for four
fresh tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment, knowing that they
would have to return for fuel one last time before the checkered flag
flew.
Just 10 laps later, with 42 laps remaining, the caution flag flew again,
giving them the opportunity to head down pit road for that last
fill-up.
Gordon restarted in the 29th position on lap 69 and eventually into the
third position with just 23 to go as other drivers had to pit for fuel
to make it the rest of the way. Nead instructed Gordon to try and
conserve the fuel as best he could to guarantee he could make the
distance to the end.
Luck was on their side when a mistake made by leader Marcos Ambrose
forced him back to seventh with just seven to go, allowing Gordon to
move into the second position behind new leader Jimmie Johnson.
"I'm very proud of the effort from the entire No. 7 Monster Energy
Toyota team today, and I want to thank Gene and everyone on my team,"
said Gordon, the 2003 winner at Infineon. "It was a great run for us,
and our strategy worked well."
"After a less than stellar qualifying position of 16th, Robby and the
Nead-led team were able to utilize pit strategy to secure their best
finish all season," said WYPALL Wipers crew chief representative Jeff
Hammond.
WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief Results
Todd Berrier, Jeff Burton and the No. 31 CAT team finished a
disappointing 27, after Ambrose made contact with Burton with five laps
to go. Burton spun out and finished eighth.
It was a fantastic day for Ambrose, crew chief Frank Kerr and the No. 47
Kingsford Charcoal Toyota until the very end. Ambrose, who has a
history of running well at road courses, qualified in the sixth position
and ran up front for a total of 35 laps, battling with Jimmie Johnson.
But a late race mistake cost him the lead with just 7 laps remaining,
and he crossed the finish line in sixth.
WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief Team
Berrier, Kerr and Hammond, along with representatives from the WYPALL
Wipers brand, serve as the panel for the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief
Challenge and vote for the weekly crew chief winners. In addition to the
$500 check, the winning crew chief will receive signage to announce the
win on their pit box the following week. The crew chief with the most
weekly wins will be honored as the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Year
and will be presented a $20,000 check at season's end.
Former winners of the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief Challenge include Tony
Eury, Sr. (Dale Earnhardt, Jr.), Robbie Reiser (Matt Kenseth), Doug
Richert (Greg Biffle), Mike Ford (Denny Hamlin) and Chad Knaus
(Johnson).
About WYPALL Wipers
WYPALL is a brand of Kimberly-Clark Professional. Since 2004, WYPALL
Wipers has been affiliated with some of racing's top teams. Offering
heavy-duty to versatile light-duty towels, WYPALL Wipers provide race
teams with a number of products that demonstrate strength and
durability. Defeating the toughest of challenges, from absorbing tough
grease and oil to wiping down windshields without leaving residue
behind, WYPALL Wipers continue to offer performance and versatility.
The WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief Challenge will continue throughout the 2010
season and spotlight the men behind the machines. For more information,
log onto www.wypall.com.
Gene is the man...
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