Finalists announced for first Wrechman Award

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Craftsman and NASCAR have announced the finalists for the NASCAR Craftsman Wrenchman Award, recognizing the behind-the-scenes team members who "turn the wrenches" in the shop and along pit row, but rarely get the recognition they deserve.

Finalists from the Sprint Cup Series 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 Nationwide and Camping World Truck series 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 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 through Oct. 17.

Award finalists from the Cup Series include:

• Greg Cooke, Shop Foreman, Richard Childress Racing No. 07
• Matt Earnest, Engineer/Water Jet Operator, Robby Gordon Motorsports No. 7
• Greg Osborne, Car Chief, Germain Racing No. 13
• Jeff Meendering, Car Chief, Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14
• Andrew Mason, Shop Foreman, Richard Childress Racing No. 29
• Rich Burgess, Shop Foreman, Richard Childress Racing No. 31
• Steve Ellis, Shop Foreman, Richard Childress Racing No. 33
• Kevin Pennell, Car Chief, Stewart-Haas Racing No. 39

By voting for their favorite Cup Series 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 on Nov. 22 in Miami. 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 is the official tools of NASCAR.