Bruce Quigley of Independence Township was enjoying a barbecue with 30 of his friends when their special guest Jamie McMurray showed up.
The NASCAR race driver was late.
‘You could really see it in his face that he was really bummed out like he was ruining something like he had crashed the whole plan,? Quigley said. ‘That right there, I was like ‘wow? you wouldn’t expect that from someone who is famous.?
Quigley, 2007 winner of the IRWIN Tools Ultimate Tradesman competition this past November, finished up his ‘champion experience? with Irwin Tools last week with the barbecue and ‘behind the scenes tour? of Roush Automotive Collection Museum in Livonia.
‘Bruce has been a great champion for us, definitely the true tradesman we were hoping to have participate in the contest. He’s been very gracious as our winner, our champion, and he was one out of 9,000 guys that competed,? said Eric Rich, director of motorsports and event marketing with Irwin.
‘He advanced from Fontana to Texas, and then to Phoenix, he was definitely the fastest and most accurate. It’s all about our prize being innovative and providing that extra bit of speed and accuracy on the job site.?
In addition to the VIP barbeque with McMurray, Aug. 14, Quigley won a customized pickup truck and $20,000.
‘The barbeque was excellent, that was great,? said Quigley. ‘The Irwin people really made a good effort to make it as enjoyable as they could for us and I really appreciate that.?
Quigley was also impressed by how McMurray made time for everybody at the party, including pictures and autographs.
‘He’s just a guy like you or I, he just drives a car for a living,? he said.
He also admires how McMurry gives back to those in need through the ‘Jamie McMurray Autism Foundation.?
Quigley’s final prize was the trip, Aug. 15, to Roush Performance.
‘I thought the tour was great. I was kind of excited to see it, but once you’re actually there, it’s a lot different then you expect it to be,? said Quigley
‘I didn’t expect the garage to be that way. I thought there would be a museum like how other museums are. For example the Chrysler museum was a lot different than this, but that was a museum. This was more of a garage of his (Jack Roush’s) own personal collection.”
Dennis Corn, manager of powertrain design and analysis for Roush Industries and tour guide, let Quigley sit in any racecar or truck. He chose to squeeze into Matt Kenseth’s number 17 car.
‘It was neat sitting in the car even though it was uncomfortable, it was the highlight,? Quigley said. ‘I’ve wanted to sit in a car like that for a long time and never able to because usually you can’t even get within a foot from them. I didn’t fit well, but that’s alright. It was fun.?
From the museum, Quigley headed over to Roush Performance, where he got to see how his Irwin branded Ford F-150 was transformed ‘Roush style.?
‘The whole factory was neat,? he said. ‘It’s nice to know where exactly your truck was at one time when they built it and shipped it down the road.?
On Sunday, Quigley enjoyed a race as well as a private pit-and-garage tour of Michigan International Speedway. He described his overall experience as champion as ‘the time of my life.?
‘It’s something that nobody can take from me, no matter what I will always be the first ‘Ultimate Tradesman? no matter how many other people win it, I’ll be the first one,? said Quigley.
‘I’ll keep the truck as a trophy, along with pictures, memories, and everything else. It’s great. Irwin Tools, Roush Performance and everybody involved have been great, I thank everybody.?