Lee McCall wins "IRWIN Crew Chief of the Week" honors

From worst to first: No. 40 Crew Chief Lee McCall takes home "IRWIN Crew Chief of the Week" honors.

VERNON HILLS, Ill., March 19, 2002 - This week, no one would doubt that Lee McCall, crew chief for the No. 40 Coors Light Dodge, had the roughest start to the race and the best finish. As a result, he'll take home the "IRWIN Rough to Finish Award" for the team's worst to first finish at the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington.

Sterling Marlin, who initially qualified in the 11th position, started at the back of the field due to a weekend engine change. But that didn't slow down Marlin, McCall and the team. Sterling drove from 43rd to the top 20 early and by lap 100 Marlin found himself in the top five. After avoiding the big wreck on lap 226, Marlin beat out Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the win. Despite the engine change and the move to the back of the field, the team's crew chief, Lee McCall, was confident that they had a car capable enough to pull through the pack and be a top competitor in the race.

"We knew we had a problem with the engine and couldn't take a chance with it," said Lee McCall. "We put our best motor in and started in the rear and watched Sterling drive that thing up through traffic all day long. He picked 'em off one at a time, and raced this race track all day long. He did a heck of a job, and my hat's off to him and our whole race team. That just goes to show how strong he is."

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.

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, Elerby, NC 28338.

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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