The 2003 Clevite Engine Builder of the Year championship race was one of the closest in the award¹s history. In the Winston Cup, Craftsman Truck and Winston West Series only a few points separated the winner from the runner¹s up.

Mike Maiwald of Hendrick Motorsports, engine builder for the No. 24 car of Jeff Gordon, received the coveted Engine Builder of the Year Award for the Winston Cup Series. Maiwald¹s award was formally announced at the yearly NASCAR Banquet on Dec. 4. The Clevite Engine Builder of the Year is awarded $77,000 in prize money and receives a stately trophy.

"This achievement is a tribute to the efforts of everyone in our engine shop," said Maiwald. "On a personal level, I¹ve had the opportunity to work with many of the engine builders that have won this award in the past, and to be placed in the same category with them is something that I¹ve always dreamed about and it¹s amazing."

Lanny Barnes of Richard Childress Racing, took home the award for the Busch Series. Barnes builds for Kevin Harvick¹s No. 21 and received a cash prize of $10,000. This is the second Clevite Engine Builder of the Year award for Barnes.

"When it¹s all said and done, you have to be running at the end in order to have a chance at winning," said Barnes. "Everyone in our engine shop did their part and it¹s an honor to be recognized by the team at Clevite."

Kroyer Racing Engines¹ Kevin Kroyer won the award for both the Craftsman Truck and Winston West Series. Kroyer builds engines for the No. 62 truck of Brendan Gaughan and the No. 08 car of Scott Lynch. This is the fourth year in a row that Kroyer has received the Winston West Engine Builder of the Year Award. He received $10,000 for his achievement with the Craftsman Truck Series and received $1,000 for the Winston West series.

"The key for us to be able to win this trophy is the connection we have with some of the greatest teams in racing," said Kroyer. "It¹s all about being the best, and without a good team, a good car and a great driver - the power and strength of the engine doesn¹t matter."

Dennis Fischer of Fischer Engineering Company took home the award for the Busch North Series. Fischer is the chief engine builder for Andy Santerre¹s No. 6 car. Fischer has built engines for award-winning drivers and teams in many of racing¹s top series, and took home $5,000 for his achievement.

"I enjoy the challenge of making more horsepower while maintaining the reliability of the engines," said Fischer. "I also enjoy helping great teams and drivers win races and championships and ultimately, achieve their dreams."

Clevite Engine Parts is a part of Dana Corporation's Automotive Aftermarket Group. Clevite provides a wide scope of under-the hood products for the global replacement parts market, including Clevite 77® engine bearings, Victor Reinz® gaskets, Perfect Circle® piston rings and Clevite® engine parts. Clevite 77® is the only engine bearing worthy of the NASCAR Performance® label. Clevite's Internet address is http://www.engineparts.com.

Dana Corporation is a global leader in the design, engineering, and manufacture of value-added products and systems for automotive, commercial, and off-highway vehicle manufacturers and their related aftermarkets. The company employs more than 60,000 people worldwide. Founded in 1904 and based in Toledo, Ohio, Dana operates hundreds of technology, manufacturing, and customer service facilities in 30 countries. The company reported 2002 sales of $9.5 billion. Dana's Internet address is http://www.dana.com.