Craftsman(R) and NASCAR(R) Announce NASCAR Craftsman Wrenchman Award(SM) Finalists, Honoring Behind-the-Scenes Team Members

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Craftsman, the official tools of NASCAR, and NASCAR today announced the finalists for the NASCAR Craftsman Wrenchman Award, recognizing the behind-the-scenes NASCAR team members who "turn the wrenches" in the shop and along pit row, but rarely get the recognition they deserve.


Finalists from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series(TM) were selected based on nominations from their teams, describing how they showcase the core attributes of trust, quality, knowledge and innovation when performing their job. All team members, whether they work in the race shop or travel with the teams to the race track, were eligible. Fans have the opportunity to choose the winner by logging onto www.craftsman.com/wrenchman and voting for their favorite team member. Teams from the NASCAR Nationwide Series(TM) and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series(TM) also nominated team members for the award, and a selection committee will choose one winner from each series.


Full profiles and accomplishments of all eight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series finalists are featured on www.craftsman.com/wrenchman, giving fans a glimpse of what it takes to field a NASCAR team. Fans can vote, once daily from September 20 through October 17.


"The NASCAR Craftsman Wrenchman Award celebrates the unsung heroes of NASCAR whose efforts are vital to the success of any team," said Kris Malkoski, vice president & general manager, Craftsman. "We want to honor these crew members and give fans the opportunity to become familiar with the individuals who are behind their favorite teams."


NASCAR Craftsman Wrenchman Award finalists from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series include:

-- Greg Cooke, Shop Foreman, Richard Childress Racing # 07
-- Matt Earnest, Engineer/Water Jet Operator, Robby Gordon Motorsports # 7
-- Greg Osborne, Car Chief, Germain Racing # 13
-- Jeff Meendering, Car Chief, Stewart-Haas Racing # 14
-- Andrew Mason, Shop Foreman, Richard Childress Racing # 29
-- Rich Burgess, Shop Foreman, Richard Childress Racing # 31
-- Steve Ellis, Shop Foreman, Richard Childress Racing # 33

-- Kevin Pennell, Car Chief, Stewart-Haas Racing # 39


"We congratulate all of the NASCAR Craftsman Wrenchman Award finalists," said Jim O'Connell, vice president of corporate marketing for NASCAR. "NASCAR is truly a team sport, and these individuals' hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence deserves to be spotlighted. We appreciate the partnership of Craftsman, and the initiative they've taken to create an award recognizing important NASCAR team members."


By voting for their favorite NASCAR Sprint Cup Series NASCAR Craftsman Wrenchman Award finalist online, fans will also be automatically entered for a chance to win an all expenses paid trip for two to the Wrenchman Award Ceremony in Miami, FL on November 22. Official sweepstakes rules and entry details are located on www.craftsman.com/wrenchman.


Even if fans don't take home the grand prize, there are plenty of other chances to win. Two first prize winners will receive a Craftsman C3 Power Tool Combo set, three second prize winners will receive a Craftsman Mechanics Tool Set, and 20 third prize winners will receive a $100 Craftsman gift certificate.


NASCAR Craftsman Wrenchman Award winners from all three series will each receive a cash prize of $14,000 and $10,000 worth of Craftsman tools.


Craftsman's product line includes plenty of tools that NASCAR, auto mechanics, and do-it-yourself car enthusiasts rely upon every day. Craftsman's mechanics tool sets, cordless drill/drivers, garage and tool storage units, and more have been trusted for generations and deliver the reliability and performance that has made them a trusted name in NASCAR. For information on Craftsman's newest tool innovations, including the Craftsman DOG BONE(TM) 8-in-1 Wrench, visit www.craftsman.com.