IRWIN crowns new winner in Tradesman Challenge

Eric Howard had beaten 9,999 other contestants to get to the finals of the IRWIN Tools Ultimate Tradesman Challenge, and only one man stood between him and a nice new customized Ford F-150 and potentially, $1.26 million in cold, hard cash.

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That man was Australian champion Nathan Vander Wielen, who had conquered the Land Down Under (and New Zealand) to earn his trip to Phoenix International Raceway for the finals.

With NASCAR drivers Jamie McMurray and Marcos Ambrose on hand to lend national support, the two got right down to it. Howard, a general contractor from Concord, Calif., won the international final with a time of 22.87 seconds. Vander Wielen, who earned his trip to Phoenix by emerging victorious on Oct. 12 at Bathurst, came home in 24.07.

The competition is a timed event in which participants compete using an IRWIN STRAIT-LINE chalk reel, IRWIN tape measure and SPEEDBOR Max wood boring bit to mark, measure and drill for a chance at a treasure trove of cash and prizes.

Howard came out on top in the American finals, beating Mark Martin (Ostrander, Ohio), Jon Smith (Delaware, Ohio) and Bruce Hollaway (Mesa, Ariz.) to advance. All four won all-expense-paid VIP race weekends to Phoenix.

For Howard, it was a dream come true. For winning the North American portion of the UTC, Howard earned a Roush Performance Supercharged Stage III Ford F-150 valued at more than $60,000, a 600-square-foot IRWIN Ultimate Garage by Allied Steel Buildings and a year's supply of Dickies work gear.

In beating Vander Wielen, Howard earned the right to pick one of 26 identical bags, one of which contained a check for $1.26 million.

"I chose No. 23, because that's been a lucky number for me," Howard said. It was not the one that contained the big check -- No. 18 had the big money -- but it still was worth $20,000.

"It was pretty exciting. I use IRWIN tools every day on the job site, so it's truly an honor to show my quickness and expertise in using them.

Just for them to put on an event like this where a general contractor has the opportunity to show off his skills ... is amazing."

In addition, IRWIN Industrial Tools announced it would give $1 for each participant in the Challenge to the Jamie McMurray Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises funds for research, education and support of individuals and families afflicted with autism. A donation of $10,000 was presented to IRWIN Industrial Tools Sprint Cup driver McMurray prior to the start of the UTC championship.

Last year, IRWIN's UTC matched competitors from the U.S. only. This year, they opened it up to Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the South Pacific. Vander Wielen is from Eaton, in Western Australia.

In all, more than 10,000 tradesmen competed in 200 local events in 37 U.S. stages, four Canadian provinces, Australia and New Zealand.

Eric Howard drills his way to victory.

"The participation and passion among this year's Ultimate Tradesman Challenge contestants has been truly impressive," said Eric Rich, director of marketing for IRWIN Industrial Tools.

For Vander Wielen, it was a whirlwind.

"They flew me to Phoenix for this and gave me a couple nights in Las Vegas and some spending money," he said from Las Vegas after the contest. "It's been very good. The final was pretty amazing."

He also found the NASCAR race weekend a bit daunting.

"The actual size ... it's a completely different atmosphere," he said. "You look at all the RVs and stuff ... we have nothing like that. Our sort of crowd may come, may go, but they don't get in and sit in their seats for four or five hours. The size of the crowd blows you away."

Being the first UTC champion from Australia was a good deal for Vander Wielen.

"It was pretty good," he said. "To go to NASCAR is pretty much a dream for anyone from Australia. We lost, but the whole trip was winning for us."

Ambrose, the Aussie V-8 SuperCar champion who has made it into NASCAR, lent his support to Vander Wielen, who appreciated the effort.

"He's pretty laid-back," Vander Wielen said. "That was good of him to come and do that. It was good for the crowd. I used to follow him back home. To come over here and meet him was great."

In all, Vander Wielen said that he was eager to make another try.

"I'll give it a crack, that's for sure," he said. "We were joking before we left, and I told them, 'I'll see you next year.' It was pretty tough to get through Australia, but with a bit of luck I'll be back."