Marcos Ambrose Crew Chief Frank Kerr Wins MOOG 'Problem Solver of the Race' Award at Watkins Glen -

Marcos Ambrose Crew Chief Frank Kerr Wins MOOG ‘Problem Solver of the Race’ Award at Watkins Glen

Frank Kerr, crew chief for Marcos Ambrose and the #47 Little Debbie Toyota, won the NASCAR MOOG "Problem Solver of the Race" Award Sunday after Ambrose captured his first top-five finish of the year in the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen (NY) International.

Frank Kerr, crew chief for Marcos Ambrose and the #47 Little Debbie Toyota, won the NASCAR MOOG “Problem Solver of the Race” Award Sunday after Ambrose captured his first top-five finish of the year in the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen (NY) International.

Sponsored by global automotive components manufacturer Federal-Mogul Corporation, the MOOG Problem Solver award is presented following every Sprint Cup race to the crew chief whose car posts the largest increase in average lap speed from the first half to the second half of the event while finishing on the lead lap. Ambrose and the #47 Toyota picked up a race-high .137-second per lap over the final 45 trips around the 2.45-mile Watkins Glen road course.

The winner of Saturday’s Nationwide Series race, Ambrose advanced from 11th to third position within the first 15 laps of Sunday’s Sprint Cup contest, then set his sites on leader and eventual race winner Juan Montoya. Ambrose and Montoya – both driving cars equipped with precision-engineered MOOG steering and suspension components – battled nose-to-tail over the next 40 laps before Ambrose encountered a late-race tire issue. The #47 car never lost site of the leader, however, and posted a season-best third-place finish.

“Marcos and Juan put on a great show. It was obvious they had the two best-handling cars throughout much of the race,” said Federal-Mogul Motorsports Director Tim Nelson. “Frank and the JTG Daugherty Racing crew gave Marcos an excellent setup at the start and seemed to make all the right calls in the pits throughout the race to have a legitimate chance at a two-win weekend.”

MOOG chassis parts are the leading choice of crew chiefs and automotive repair professionals. The unique benefits of MOOG components and other Federal-Mogul products are highlighted in the company’s innovative "Smart Choice" campaign, which reinforces the message that longer lasting, better performing replacement parts are today’s best option for technicians and consumers.

For additional information regarding MOOG chassis parts, visit the brand’s technician-focused www.moogproblemsolver.com website or contact your MOOG supplier. To learn more about the Federal-Mogul “Smart Choice” campaign, simply visit www.FMSmartChoice.com.

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The True Cost Of Comebacks

Comebacks are a hot topic today. You need to track all comebacks, determine the reason (tech error, part error, training issue, other) and then calculate the true cost of the comeback.

By Joe Marconi of Elite
Comebacks are a hot topic today. You need to track
all comebacks, determine the reason (tech error, part error, training issue,
other) and then calculate the true cost of the comeback.
Here are a few things to consider:
• The loss of time when performing the comeback; time that the tech can use to
perform other work and generate profit;
• The misc costs, such as overhead costs, supplies, cleaners, etc.;
• Towing costs, rental, etc.;
• Cost to morale;
• Reputation damage; and
• Reduction to your profit margin.
For every part issue, you need to
inform your supplier. Sit down with suppliers on a regular basis. Don’t return defective
parts until you have listed the parts, and maintain a report. Document
everything.
Part issues are increasing. Every shop
owner I speak to is frustrated over this.
Remember, comebacks kill your bottom
line. The more comebacks you have, the more they’re killing your profits.
This article was contributed by Joe Marconi.
Joe is one of the 1-on-1 business coaches who helps shop owners through
the Elite Coaching Program, and is the
co-founder of autoshopowner.com.

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