Montoya, McMurray Return for 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Season
CONCORD, NC (Jan. 24, 2011) – Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced today that Juan Pablo Montoya and Jamie McMurray will return for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) season. Montoya will be behind the wheel of the No. 42 Target Chevrolet for the third consecutive season and his fifth full-season in the NSCS. McMurray will make his return in the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/ McDonalds Chevrolet for his second straight season with the team and ninth overall in the NSCS.
Both drivers look to carry over their 2010 success, which saw them break the organization record for wins in a single season (four), scoring victories in the Daytona 500, Brickyard 400, Watkins Glen event and Bank of America 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Montoya and McMurray will return to the newly re-paved Daytona International Speedway in February for Speedweeks, which kicks off with the Budweiser Shootout Feb. 12 followed by the 53rd running of ‘The Great American Race’ on Feb. 20.
Notes of Interest:
- McMurray enters 2011 coming off a record 2010 season where he became known as NASCAR’s “Big Event” driver, becoming only the third driver in history to win both the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 in the same season. He scored a third win at Charlotte, finished second at Darlington, Talladega and in the Coke 600, and also won the 2010 overall pole award with four.
- Montoya enters the 2011 season coming off a solid 2010, scoring a win at Watkins Glen in August which gave longtime partner Target their first NSCS victory. Montoya is the first foreign-born driver to have wins in NASCAR’s elite series. He scored a career-high three poles, and finished third at both Talladega races and Atlanta.
- All six of Ganassi’s drivers visited victory lane in 2010, where they accumulated 19 victories across all three series in which they compete (NASCAR – 4, INDYCAR – 6 and GRAND-AM – 9) winning two championships in the process. Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas claimed Ganassi’s fourth GRAND-AM Championship and Dario Franchitti captured a third consecutive IZOD IndyCar Series title for Ganassi.
- Ganassi added two more drivers to his 2011 line-up with Graham Rahal and Charlie Kimball joining Scott Dixon and Franchitti in the IZOD IndyCar Series. The majority of Ganassi’s driver line-up will be on display in the GRAND-AM Rolex 24 At Daytona January 28- 30 as they look to capture a record fourth Rolex 24 Hour At Daytona victory for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates.
- In 2010 Chip Ganassi became the first owner to win both of Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s marquee events –the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400 and he was able to accomplish it in the same year.
- Chip Ganassi Racing claimed their first-ever weekend sweep, winning races in all three of the major touring series (NASCAR, IndyCar and GRAND-AM) in which they compete. Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas won the Rolex GRAND-AM Series event at Watkins Glen, Juan Pablo Montoya picked up a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory at Watkins Glen, and Dario Franchitti completed the hat-trick with an IZOD IndyCar Series win at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
- CGR now boasts 134 total wins (1990-2010): 80 – INDYCAR, 32 – GRAND-AM, 10 – Sprint Cup, 6 – Nationwide and 6 – ARCA.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John Olguin at Earnhardt Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, 704-662-9642
LIFTMASTER® To Be Associate Sponsor for Earnhardt Ganassi
Racing with Felix Sabates and Jamie McMurray’s No. 1 Team in 2011
Number One Brand of Professionally Installed Garage Door Openers Excited to Raise Awareness Open New Doors To Success with Associate Sponsorship of Defending Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 Champion
CONCORD, N.C. (January 24, 2011) – Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates today announces a mulit-year sponsorship with LiftMaster, the leading brand of professionally installed garage door opener systems and access solutions. The LiftMaster logo will adorn defending Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 Champion Jamie McMurray’s No. 1 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet above the rear side window. In addition to the highly visible logo placement, LiftMaster will also receive team assets throughout the length of the agreement. This partnership with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing is LiftMaster’s first-ever venture into the realm of NASCAR sponsorship.
Notes of Interest:
About LiftMaster:
LiftMaster is the number one brand of professionally installed residential garage door openers, as well as a major manufacturer of commercial door operators, residential and commercial gate operators, telephone entry systems and related access control products. Driven by the access and security needs of the marketplace, LiftMaster’s expansive line of state-of-the-art residential and commercial products are designed to fit any lifestyle or application, providing consumers with the latest technology and innovations in safety, security and convenience. For inquiries on LiftMaster products or to locate a professional LiftMaster dealer near you, visit www.LiftMaster.com.
McMurray Makes a Splash in First Season Back with Team Owner Ganassi: Jamie McMurray made the most of his first season with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing in 2010. The driver, hailing from Joplin, MO, kicked off the season in dramatic fashion by winning the Daytona 500, in his first time out with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. Teamed with veteran crew chief Kevin “Bono” Manion, the duo went on to capture the Brickyard 400 at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and followed that with a triumph at Charlotte Motor Speedway during the Chase for the Championship. In 2010, McMurray claimed three wins, four pole positions, nine top-five, and 12 top-10 finishes, while finishing 14th in the final standings.
Quote Board:
Ken Roehl, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, LiftMaster: “As the leading manufacturer of garage door opener systems and access solutions, and backed by our loyal network of more than 4,000 professional dealers, we are thrilled to partner with Jamie and the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Team. They have proven to be leaders within the sport of NASCAR, winning the two most prominent races – the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400. We look forward to what this partnership can bring to our valued LiftMaster staff, our customers and our professional dealers. As a team, we are excited to be supporting Jamie’s quest for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship.”
Steve Lauletta, President, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing: “We are very happy to begin this new relationship with LiftMaster and our No. 1 NASCAR program with Jamie McMurray. It means a lot to this organization that LiftMaster chose us as a partner for their first endeavor into our sport. There is a natural tie to the LiftMaster line of high-performing, quality garage door openers and our own drive to out-perform the competition. We feel the partnership will help LiftMaster generate additional awareness for their brand among the large number of dedicated race fans. We look forward to a successful partnership with LiftMaster and their network of professional dealers.”
Jamie McMurray, Driver, No.1 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing: “This announcement is another testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. I look forward to working with the folks at LiftMaster and I’m very excited to have the opportunity to once again represent a great brand on and off the racetrack. We’re looking forward to another exciting season as we inch closer to 2011, and we’re happy that LiftMaster will be coming along for the ride!”
For more information log onto www.earnhardtganassi.com
###
Energizer and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing celebrate 16 years of racing partnership by Lighting Up the NASCAR Sprint All Star Race to Set World Record
ST. LOUIS, January 24 – Coming off of their best season yet, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is once again teaming up with Energizer to make records of an altogether different variety. At this year’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Energizer and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most flashlights lit up at one time at a sporting arena.
The Energizer Light Up The Night event kicks off the 16th year Energizer and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing have worked closely together to bring excitement and innovation to the race circuit.
At the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday night, May 21, Energizer will distribute free Energizer® LED Headlights to race fans as they enter the track. When signaled to “flash their brights” during pre-race activities, fans will turn on their headlights to Light Up The Night at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Representatives from the Guinness Book of World Records will be on hand to record the event.
“Energizer is proud to be a long-time sponsor of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing,” said Jim Olsen Vice President North American Marketing, Energizer Holdings, Inc. “Earnhardt Ganassi Racing had a record setting 2010 and to celebrate Energizer is excited to rev up fans by setting a record in the stands. Now That’s Positivenergy™”
In addition to helping set records, fans can stop by the Energizer tent and be entered in drawings to win Energizer prize packs and Target gift cards.
The Light Up the Night event is illuminated by Energizer® lighting products. Innovative and dependable lighting has been Energizer’s passion for more than 110 years, and each year the company raises the bar by delivering technology solutions in portable lighting that meet the needs of the most demanding consumers. From the versatile, hands-free Energizer LED headlights to a full line of emergency preparedness lights, Energizer offers lighting solutions that provide the brightness levels, runtimes, and design elements that consumers require.
Driving Home the Preparedness Message
Since the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race is taking place in May – which is right before the start of hurricane season – Energizer will make a donation to a Charlotte-area disaster response group to help them get prepared in advance of severe weather. The donations will be generated, in part, by purchase of Energizer batteries and lights at Target.
“As part of the new Now That’s Positivenergy™ platform Energizer is committed to making a difference in communities across the country. We want to help the residents of Charlotte power through whatever Mother Nature throws their way,” said Olsen.
*Free Energizer® Headlights available to fans while supplies last
###
WIDIA™ Partners With Earnhardt Ganassi Racing –
Sponsors No. 1 Chevrolet for Martinsville Race
(LATROBE, PA) – On April 3, 2011, the familiar No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/ McDonald’s Chevrolet, driven by 2010 Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 Champion Jamie McMurray of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, will become the No. 1 WIDIA Chevrolet as WIDIA makes its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) debut. The April 3 date at Martinsville Speedway (Martinsville, Virginia) marks another milestone for Jamie McMurray, his 300th NSCS start.
High-performance machine shops and the latest in tooling innovations are as necessary as high-performance tires in keeping race teams competitive, so the partnership between WIDIA and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing was a natural fit.
WIDIA Products Group™ is a complete portfolio of milling, turning, reaming, grooving, precision hole finishing, and other precision metalworking applications from a single source. “From the spindle to the workpiece, WIDIA products provide one-stop shopping for manufacturers seeking tools that get the job done and improve production processes,” says Bernie McConnell, Vice President, WIDIA Products Group. The group includes metalworking tools and systems from WIDIA as well as leading specialty products, such as WIDIA-Manchester™, WIDIA-Clapp-DiCo™, WIDIA-GTD™, WIDIA-Hanita™, WIDIA-MetCut™ and WIDIA-MetalRemoval™.
“The 2010 season that Jamie and the No. 1 team put together allows us to feel great about being able to bring new brands to our team and into the sport,” said Steve Lauletta, President of Chip Ganassi Racing Teams. “We are confident that the experience will deliver a business return that will get them hooked on the power of NASCAR and our team. Both us and our partners at Widia are very much looking forward to the 2011 season and more specifically Jamie being behind the wheel of the No. 1 Widia Chevrolet in Martinsville.”
McConnell further describes WIDIA as a “tremendous growth opportunity created to maximize our penetration of the growing indirect market channel,” he adds. “We have received excellent feedback from our channel partners on their success introducing a complete metalworking portfolio of products to their customers, and we’ll continue to strengthen and upgrade our channel partners with continued new product introductions and comprehensive training and service events in every region of the world.”
NASCAR fans and metalworking customers alike are urged to visit WIDIA.com (http://widia.com/racing), Facebook® (http://facebook.com/WIDIAProductsGrp), Twitter® (http://twitter.com/WIDIAProductsGrp), and YouTube® (http://youtube.com/WIDIASolutions ) to keep up with the latest news and promotions from WIDIA connected with this event.
WIDIA-brand products and services have defined innovation in the metalcutting industry for more than 80 years — from the world’s first patent for carbide indexable inserts to the development of the world’s first coated grades. The WIDIA brand offers a complete portfolio of precision-engineered products and services. With thousands of milling, turning, holemaking, and tooling systems products available through a worldwide network of authorized distributor partners, you’ll find everything you need from one single source.
