LAS VEGAS -- The NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers 2016 Awards Luncheon proved to be a day of achievements for Hendrick Motorsports.
Following Chase Elliott's Rookie of the Year award, two more awards were given to Hendrick Motorsports teammates, starting with Elliott's crew chief, Alan Gustafson.
Following a 2015 championship run with Jeff Gordon for his final season, Gustafson set out with Rookie of the Year winner Elliott for a successful 2016 campaign.
During the driver's first full NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, Gustafson led the No. 24 team to 10 top-five finishes, 17 top-10s, two pole positions and 358 laps led.
And today, Gustafson has added another award to his own collection.
Thursday at the Awards Luncheon, the crew chief was presented with the MOOG Steering and Suspension Problem Solver of the Year award.
"It's a tremendous honor to be on this stage and a tremendous honor to win this award for the second time," Gustafson said. "I appreciate MOOG putting it on and showcasing the crew chiefs and our teams and the effort we put in."
The honor goes to the crew chief who posts the best overall performance throughout the year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, most consistently demonstrating problem-solving excellence and winning the most MOOG Problem Solver of the Race awards.
The race awards are presented each week throughout the season to the crew chief whose car posts the largest increase in average lap speed from the first half to the second half of the race while finishing on the lead lap.
For the season, Elliott ranked 10th in fastest drivers early in a run and eighth in fastest drivers late in a run. Overall, the driver totaled 438 fastest laps run.
"I have to thank my family at Hendrick Motorsports," Gustafson continued. "I love going to work every day, I love being around everyone there. Thanks to (Hendrick Motorsports owner) Mr. Hendrick and everything he does for me and our team. The No. 24 guys, I've got a great group of guys who just relentlessly pursue perfection, work really hard and love to be together."
In addition to Gustafson's achievement, Hendrick Motorsports also brought home the organization's 20th MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Year award.
In particular, engine assembler Scott Vester, was singled out as the winner of the award.
"It is with great privilege that I accept this award on behalf of the men and women at the Hendrick Motorsports Engine Department," Vester said. "For 18 years, Hendrick Motorsports has been my second home. The leadership of Jeff Andrews, Jim Wall, David Evans and Larry Zentmeyer is nothing short of a pleasure to work with; all striving for a common goal to win races and continue to be the best in the business; all of us continuing on in the memory of our mentor and friend, Randy Dorton."
Points toward the Engine Builder of the Year Award were granted after every race based on qualifying and finishing position, with bonus points for the team that led the most laps.
Hendrick Motorsports powered five of the top-10 finishing teams at the end of the 2016 season, including the champion, Jimmie Johnson.
"Thank you to everyone in the (Hendrick Motorsports) Engine Department for making 2016 a year of success," Vester said in closing. "Teammates, family and friends, with your support, we're already looking forward to 2017."