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[/media-credit]Phoenix International Raceway Advance Notes
Race: Subway Fresh Fit 500 on Sunday, March 4
Track: Phoenix International Raceway (1.0- mile tri-oval)
Location: Avondale, Ariz.
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 recently launched one of the first mobile applications for the high-velocity world of racing. This new 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 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series.
Impala Power: EGR’s power plant, Chevrolet, has an excellent track record at Phoenix International Raceway. Chevy is the winningest manufacturer at the track with 15 wins.
Did you Know?: Since 2001, the team has completed a total of 12,364 out of 13,247 laps at Phoenix. This is over 93% of the total laps run at the track since the 2001 season.
Jamie McMurray and No. 1 Bass Pro Shops / Tracker Boats Team
Daytona 500 Recap: Jamie McMurray started the “Great American Race” from the 19th-position in the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet and was credited with 31st after a late race incident knocked the team out of competition. The strategy for the No. 1 team was to hang back from the larger pack of cars in the early going to try and avoid incident, then make a charge toward the front later in the 200 lap race. All was going according to plan as the Bass Pro Shops Chevy was racing among the top-10 by lap 130 and stayed connected to the front of the field until a tire went down on lap 189 and spoiled the hopes for victory in the Daytona 500.
McMurray at Phoenix: In McMurray’s NSCS career, he has made 17 starts at Phoenix International Raceway. In those races, he has scored one top-five, and two top-10 finishes with an average start of 15.9. He has completed 5,082 laps (94.6%) of a possible 5374, leading 28 of them. McMurray has been running at the finish of 14 of his 17 races. His career best start and finish at the one-mile tri-oval came in November of 2008 when he qualified on the outside pole and finished third.
Closing the Deal: Of all NSCS drivers, McMurray ranked fourth at Phoenix International Raceway for the fall race in 2011. He moved up eight positions in the last 32 laps of the race to finish 17th. The driver of the No.1 Chevy also ranks fourth in closers for the last 14 races at the track, improving his positions in the last 10 percent of laps each race.
Pass and Go: McMurray is ranked fourth among NSCS drivers at Phoenix International Raceway for green flag passes at the one mile track (612) throughout the last 14 races.
Short Stats: In 89 short track starts, McMurray has one pole, six top-fives and 27 top-10 finishes. He has completed 36,008 out of 37,813 laps (95%) and has led 316. McMurray has an average start and finish of 17.3 and 19.3, respectively.
Fishin’ for Deals: You won’t want to miss Bass Pro Shop’s Spring Fishing Classic, the world’s greatest fishing show and sale. The event will take place in Bass Pro Shop stores across the country from February 24-March 11 and feature free fishing seminars, daily specials, vendor booths, free Bassmaster University and much more. Be sure to stop by the Meza, AZ store, just 45 miles from the track, located at 1133 North Dobson, Mesa, AZ, 85201. For a complete schedule of events visit www.basspro.com or call the store at 602-606-5600.
Staying Cool: McMurray’s new sponsor, Banana Boat®, will host a fan experience in the Fan Zone, located at Phoenix International Raceway during the Subway Fresh Fit 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. Be sure to enter for a chance to win the Ultimate Pit Crew Experience with McMurray and the No.1 Team.
Golden Arches: There’s no reason to go hungry while visiting Phoenix International Raceway this week. McDonald’s has five locations conveniently located within five miles of the track. Locations can be found at: 9930 West McDowell Rd. Avondale, AZ; 13870 West McDowell Rd. Goodyear, AZ; 1720 North Dysart Rd. Goodyear, AZ; 13055 West Rancho Santa Fe Blvd. Avondale, AZ.
Juan Pablo Montoya and No. 42 Target Team
Daytona 500 Recap: The Target Chevrolet paired up with teammate, McMurray from the start of the “Great American Race”. The duo spent the majority of the race in the back of the field with a small pack, waiting to make their move later in the race. With less than 60 laps remaining the two charged to the front. After a pit stop on lap 158 Montoya radioed in that it felt like something broke in the car. The team tried to diagnose the problem on pit road under caution but when Montoya returned to join the field the No. 42 Target Chevrolet suddenly snapped up the track and collided with a jet dryer. Both the jet dryer and the No. 42 car burst into flames. Montoya was able to walk away from the fiery crash and the Target team ended up in the 36th position.
Montoya at Phoenix: Montoya has made 10 starts at Phoenix International Raceway during his NSCS career. In those races, he has tallied one top-five and two top-10 finishes. He has an average start of 21.8 and average finish of17.0. He has completed 99.8% of the laps (3,180 of 3,187) with no DNF’s (did not finish) at Phoenix since his first start, leading 104 of them. His best start and finish came in the April event of the 2010 season where he started seventh and finished fifth.
Green, green, green: In the Fall 2011 race at Phoenix International Raceway, Montoya ranked fourth in green flag passes with 67 en route to a 15th-place finish.
Top-15: In the last 14 races at Phoenix International Raceway, Montoya completed 46.9 percent of the laps in the top-15.
Short Stats: Montoya has 50 starts on NASCAR’s short tracks with one pole, four top-fives and 12 top-10 finishes. He has led 212 laps and completed 20,719 out of 21,229 laps (98%). The Target driver’s average start and finish are 18.4 and 19.0, respectively.
Hit the Bullseye: Need something in a pinch? No need to worry – Target has all of the essentials and more. Target is just nine miles from Phoenix International Raceway, located at 1515 N. Litchfield Rd. Goodyear, AZ 85395. Call ahead and make sure they have what you need at (623) 935-3510.
CHASSIS INFO
No. 1 Bass Pro Shops / Tracker Boats Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1206. Crew Chief Kevin “Bono” Manion and the No.1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats team will be bringing a brand new chassis, Chassis #1206, to Phoenix International Raceway this weekend.
No. 42 Target Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1203. Heroy and the No. 42 Target team will be bringing a brand new chassis, Chassis #1203, to Phoenix International Raceway this weekend.
