Gentlemen! Start your engines!!

Flender Corporation, an Elgin Chamber member, was promoted at the 2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race with FLENDER prominently displayed on the hood of the #17 RFK Racing Fastenal car, driven by Chris Buscher. VIP passes were presented to members of the Flender Team.

As part of the VIP experience, Kerry Klein, CEO of Flender Corp, was introduced alongside other celebrities, athletes, and political representatives who attended as VIPs during the Drivers Pre-Race meeting. Flender employees had an opportunity to meet and chat with the Fastenal #17 driver, Chris Buscher, at the garage/trailer. We learned about his background in racing, how he got into racing, his track preferences and why, his life on the road, his hobbies, etc. Following the driver's meeting, we went to the trackside, where we had access to the pit road and photo opportunities with the car and driver.

A highlight of the day was our unique opportunity to sit atop the Fastenal pit box, front and center to the action. We could see and listen firsthand to how the pit crew strategizes the race with the driver when to pit, and when to change from wet to dry tires, especially with the on-and-off rain throughout the race.

Thanks to Fastenal and the RFK Racing Team for making this a fun-filled day at the NASCAR Chicago race. We highly value Fastenal as a supplier and sincerely appreciate their support of Flender, which is integral to our day-to-day manufacturing operations.