Roswell, Ga. (November 3, 2009) - Donnie Wingo, crew chief for the No. 26 IRWIN MARATHON Ford Fusion driven by Jamie McMurray, has been named the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race following Sunday's AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
McMurray and Wingo's strategy was to lay low for the first half of the race, in an effort to avoid any early race incidents and to log laps. Mid-way through the race as McMurray was stuck in the middle of the pack, pit strategy came into play in order to move further up in the field.
After the caution flag flew on lap 141 with McMurray running eighth, it was time to make a change, vaulting to the lead on lap 152.
The Wingo-led team fought to maintain their track position in the top three for the next 30 laps and regained first on lap 181. The fifth caution of the day fell on lap 184, leaving Wingo to worry about fuel mileage with only a few laps remaining. McMurray kept the lead and stretched the fuel mileage to claim his third career triumph.
"Donnie had a great plan and ran great strategy," said Jeff Hammond, WYPALL Wipers spokesperson and SPEED/FOX television analyst. "This was a race of opportunity and this team seized every moment."
This is the first time Wingo has been named the WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief of the Race in the 2010 season-long program. Chad Knaus is tied for the lead with Darian Grubb as the WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief the Race, with four wins and both are in contention to become the WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. Not far behind are Drew Blickensderfer, Steve Letarte and Alan Gustafson, all with three wins.
WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief Results
Bob Osborne, crew chief for the No. 99 Aflac Ford and driver Carl Edwards, led early in the race, but was caught up in the late race multi-car accident causing them to fall back in the field, finishing in 14th.
Todd Berrier began his tenure as the crew chief for Jeff Burton and the No. 31 CAT team, with a fifth place effort after running in the top 10 most of the day. WYPALL Wipers' support the men behind the machines and you can find out more about Todd and Bob at http://www.wypall.com/Bios.asp.
WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief Team
Osborne, Berrier, and Hammond, along with representatives from the WYPALL Wipers brand, all serve as the panel for the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief Challenge and vote for the weekly crew chief winners. In addition to the $1,000 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 the season finale in Homestead, Fla.
Each week through Homestead, Hammond will interview the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race from the prior race during Trackside Live on SPEED every Friday evening.
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 (Jimmie 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 2009 season and spotlight the men behind the machines. For more information, log onto www.wypall.com.
