Daytona International Speedway Advance Notes
Race: Daytona 500, Feb. 26
Track: Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile tri-oval)
Location: Daytona Beach, Fla.
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Media Contacts at Daytona International Speedway
Jeff Dowling No.1 Bass Pro Shops / Tracker Boats Chevrolet
Shayna Keller No.42 Target Chevrolet
NOTES
Follow EGR on Twitter: Continue to follow Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (EGR) on their official team Twitter page. Find in-race updates and weekly news on the No.1 and No.42 teams throughout the 2012 season by following “@EGRTeams”.
There’s an App for that: Chip Ganassi Racing Teams (CGRT) and SapientNitro SM launched one of the first mobile applications for the high-velocity world of racing. The application brings fans updated driver and event information, and exclusive content in one centralized and expansive mobile experience, bringing to life the rich heritage and legendary success of CGRT. The unique mobile application conveys the high-octane rush of the racing experience for a team that competes at the highest levels in three series – the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS), IZOD IndyCar Series and Rolex GRAND-AM Series.
Jamie McMurray and No. 1 Bass Pro Shops / Tracker Boats Team
Year in Review: In 2011, Jamie McMurray finished the season with one pole, two top-fives, four top-10s, 15 top-20 finishes and led 106 laps. In 36 starts, he completed 9,584 out of 10,650 laps (90%). He had an average starting position of 17.8, average running position of 20.6 and average finishing position of 22.2.
McMurray at Daytona: McMurray has a total of 18 starts at Daytona International Speedway accumulating two wins, three top-fives and four top-10 finishes. He gave EGR its first Daytona 500 victory in 2010 after taking the lead with two laps to go to win the race. McMurray has completed a total of 2,866 laps out of 3,143 (91.2%) with an average starting position of 20.6 and an average finishing position of 24.3 at the tri-oval track. He is ranked 11th out of the NSCS drivers who have completed the most laps running in the top-15 (53%) at Daytona International Speedway for points-paying races in the last seven years.
Shootout Recap: McMurray started fourth in the Budweiser Shootout and quickly showed that the No.1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet would be a contender. McMurray moved to the lead by lap four and led five times for a total of11 laps. With one lap remaining, McMurray found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and was collected in a multi-car incident. The No.1 received significant damage ending the strong run for the Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet. The team was credited with the 16th position.
Green Flag Passer: McMurray ranked eighth in green flag passes during the Daytona 500 in 2011, completing 333 passes throughout the race. In the last 14 point-paying races at Daytona International Speedway, he ranks third in green flag passes.
Superspeedway Stats: In 37 starts in NSCS at superspeedways (Daytona and Talladega) McMurray has accumulated three wins (Daytona 2007, 2010; Talladega 2009), eight top-fives, 10 top-10s and led 201 laps.
Staying Cool: McMurray’s new sponsor, Banana Boat®, will host a fan experience in the Fan Zone, located in the Midway at Daytona International Speedway, during the Daytona 500 weekend. The CoolZone™ Sunscreen Pit Stop will provide fans with an interactive experience complete with photograph opportunities, games, giveaway prizes and samples of its new Sport Performance® CoolZone™ sunscreen.
Juan Pablo Montoya and No. 42 Target Team
Year in Review: In 2011, Juan Pablo Montoya finished the season with two poles, two top-fives, eight top-10s, 20 top-20 finishes and led 125 laps. The team had no DNF’s (did not finish) and had the highest number of laps run out of any driver with 10,593, including all 12 of the chase contenders. He had an average starting position of 18.2, average running position of 17.2 and average finishing position of 18.5.
Bringing the Sunshine: Chris “Sunshine” Heroy will be making his first NSCS point race start as a crew chief at the Daytona 500. Heroy was named crew chief for the No.42 Target Chevrolet in November. He was previously an engineer at Hendrick Motorsports and also was a crew chief in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with JR Motorsports for three races last year.
Daytona History: In 10 starts at Daytona International Speedway, Montoya has been running at the end of eight races, completing a total of 1,737 out of 1,788 laps (97.1%). He has finished in the top-10 in 40% of the races he has competed in and has led at least two laps in each of his last four starts at Daytona International Speedway. His average starting position is 19.5 and his average finishing position is 19.6 at the two-and-a-half mile track.
Shootout Recap: The Target Chevrolet lined-up in the 25th position and was running mid-field when the first on-track incident of the night occurred. Montoya sustained some damage to the rear of the car but with two quick stops on pit road for repairs, the No. 42 was able to return and get back into the mix. Montoya would go on to lead a lap and manage to stay away from any further incidents. When the checkered flag waved, the Target Chevrolet found itself in the 10th position.
Superspeedway Success: In 20 superspeedway starts in NSCS competition Montoya has a best finish of second (Talladega, 2008) three top-fives and seven top-10 finishes with 77 laps led. Team Target performed well at Daytona International Speedway in 2011 earning two top-10 finishes.
CHASSIS INFO
No. 1 Bass Pro Shops / Tracker Boats Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1204. Crew Chief Kevin “Bono” Manion and the No.1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats team will be bringing a brand new chassis, Chassis #1204, to Daytona International Speedway this weekend.
No. 42 Target Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1117. Heroy and the No. 42 Target team will be racing chassis #1117 in the Daytona 500. This is the same chassis that Montoya drove to a 15th place finish during the fall race at Talladega Superspeedway last year.
2011 STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Pts. Pos./(Prev)
Jamie McMurray
36
0
1
2
4
17.8
22.2
27
Juan Pablo Montoya
36
0
2
2
8
18.2
18.5
21
CAREER STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Jamie McMurray
330
6
8
41
96
19.4
19.4
Juan Pablo Montoya
181
2
7
20
49
17.5
19.6
TEAM ROSTERS
Max Jones – Team Manager
John Probst – Technical Director
No. 1 (NSCS)
Hometown
Hometown
Crew Chief: Kevin Manion
Boylston, MA
Rear Tire Changer: Jason Romesburg
Bridgeport, WV
Chief Mechanic: Randy Cox
Trinity, NC
Rear Tire Carrier: Doug Riepe
Danbury , CT
Front Tire Changer: Bryan Jacobsen
Honesdale, PA
Gas Man: Benjy Grubbs
Richmond, VA
Front Tire Carrier: Brett Morrell
Windham, ME
Spotter: Lorin Ranier
Prestonsburg, KY
Jack Man: Mitch Lash
Salisbury, NC
No. 42 (NSCS)
Hometown
Hometown
Crew Chief: Chris Heroy
Angola, IN
Rear Tire Changer: Chris McMullen
Canton, MI
Chief Mechanic: David Bryant
Concord, NC
Rear Tire Carrier: Chip Goode
Statesville, NC
Front Tire Changer: Pedro Martinez
San Antonio, TX
Gas Man: Ed Watkins
Richmond, VA
Front Tire Carrier: Eric Bilyeu
Waterford, MI
Spotter: Tab Boyd
Pensacola, FL
Jack Man: Mark Jacobs
Fort Walton Beach, FL
