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[/media-credit]Las Vegas Motor Speedway Advance Notes
Race: Kobalt Tools 400 on Sunday, March 11
Track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway (1.5 mile tri-oval)
Location: Las Vegas, Nev.
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Media Contacts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Jeff Dowling No.1 McDonald’s Chevrolet
Shayna Keller No.42 Clorox® 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.
Wheldon Tribute: EGR will pay tribute to former Target Racing member Dan Wheldon this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The No.1 McDonald’s and No.42 Clorox Chevrolets will display a decal in memory of the two-time Indianapolis 500 Winner and 2005 IZOD IndyCar Series Champion. In a joint venture between NASCAR and its teams, the decal was created to pay tribute to Wheldon. The logo depicts Richard the Lionheart, a 12th century king of England – Wheldon’s home country. He once wrote, “When I first started racing, a lot of the guys said that I raced with a lot of heart, occasionally not my head, but always with a lot of heart, like the way that Richard the Lionheart fought in battle.” He wore a small mural of the 12th-century warrior king on his racing helmet. Wheldon drove for Target Chip Ganassi Racing in the IZOD IndyCar Series for three seasons (2006-2008) and won six races.
Drivers’ Meeting: Race fans who have wondered what transpires during a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) drivers’ meeting will get the opportunity to learn for themselves this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. For the first-time ever at the speedway, race fans with passes for the Neon Garage will be able to attend the pre-race drivers’ meeting for the Kobalt Tools 400. Weather permitting, the meeting will take place adjacent to the main stage in the center of the Neon Garage.
Jamie McMurray and No. 1 McDonald’s Team
Phoenix Recap: Jamie McMurray and the No.1 Bass Pro Shops team worked to make adjustments and gain track position in the early portion of the race, until McMurray fell victim to one of the cautions that involved contact with another competitor on lap 133. After repairs, the No.1 car continued to run strong lap times, hoping to catch a break with a caution and gain valuable track position. The No.1 team stayed out long enough to lead a lap as green flag stops cycled through. The hope for a strong finish would come to an abrupt end on lap 212 when the engine of the Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet let go resulting in a 37th-place finish.
I’m Lovin’ It: McMurray and the No.1 Team will carry McDonald’s colors at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the first of 13 races this season. The No.1 car will also feature the McDonald’s paint scheme at Bristol, Kansas, Richmond, Michigan, Infineon, Kentucky, Watkins Glen, Chicagoland, Dover, Charlotte, Martinsville and Texas.
McMurray at Las Vegas: McMurray will make his 10th start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. In his previous nine starts he has accumulated one top-five finish and three top-10 finishes. McMurray has zero DNFs (did not finish) and has completed 2,404 of 2,424 laps (99.2%) at the 1.5 mile speedway. He has an average starting position of 22.1 and an average finishing position of 19.9, with his best start and finish of fourth coming in 2004.
Movin’ Up: In the last seven races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, McMurray ranks third in the number of green flag passes made, with a total of 449.
Intermediate Stats: At active intermediate tracks (tracks greater than one mile, but less than two miles), McMurray has 121 starts, collecting two victories (Charlotte: 2002, 2010), 16 top-five finishes, 37 top-10 finishes and leading 603 laps.
Did you Know?: It would take 21,600 Big Macs (averaging 4.4 inches) to circle the 1.5 mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Checking In: McMurray will sign autographs at the No.1 team merchandise hauler Saturday, March 10th at 2:30 pm (PST) at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. McDonald’s encourages those who attend the autograph session to ‘check in’ to Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Foursquare for the opportunity to receive giveaways, including a McDonald’s Arch Card.
Golden Arches: There’s no reason to go hungry while visiting Las Vegas Motor Speedway this week. McDonald’s has five locations conveniently located within five miles of the track. Locations can be found at: 7310 S Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas, NV; 2550 E Sunset Rd. Las Vegas, NV; 6005 S Eastern Ave. Las Vegas, NV; 3999 S Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas, NV; 2310 E Serene Las Vegas, NV.
Bass Pro Appearance: Stop by the Las Vegas Bass Pro Shops at 8200 Dean Martin Dr, Las Vegas NV on Thursday, March 8th at 6:00 pm (PST) for an autograph session with McMurray.
Juan Pablo Montoya and No. 42 Clorox Team
Phoenix Recap: Starting from the third position, Juan Pablo Montoya and the No.42 Chevrolet maintained track position despite a concern about handling on lap two of the 312 -lap event. The Target crew brought the race car down pit road multiple times to help with the handling concerns and adjust to the changing track conditions. Montoya avoided any on-track issues and made a charge to the front in the closing laps. The Target Chevrolet advanced 10 positions with 70 laps remaining and crossed the finish line in the 11th position.
Blue 42: The No.42 car will sport the red, white and blue colors of Clorox® this weekend for the Kolbalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Clorox is a leading manufacturer and marketer of some of consumers’ most trusted and recognized brand names, including its namesake bleach and other cleaning products. The Clorox Company is committed to helping families live easier, healthier and better lives. For more information, visit www.clorox.com
Montoya at Las Vegas: This weekend will mark Montoya’s sixth start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In his five starts at the track, Montoya has one top-five finish, one top-10 finish and zero DNFs. He has an average starting position of 18.2, an average finishing position of 22.4 and has completed 1,327 of 1,353 laps (98.1%). Montoya’s best start of fourth came in 2007 and his best finish came in last spring’s race, where he led seven laps and finished third.
Closing the deal: In his five starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Montoya ranks ninth in the ‘closers’ category, which measures how many positions are gained in the last 10% of a race.
Intermediate Stats: In his NSCS career at intermediate tracks, Montoya has 67 starts, seven top-five finishes, 13 top-10 finishes and has led 223 laps.
Getting Revved Up: Montoya will take part in a question and answer session on Sunday, March 11th from 8:50-9:05 am (PST) on the Chevy Stage located in the fan midway near Gate C at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Did you Know?: It would take 11,880 Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes (7” wide by 8” tall) to circle the 1.5 mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Hit the Bullseye: Need something in a pinch? No need to worry – Target has all of the essentials and more. Target is just seven miles from Las Vegas Motor Speedway, located at 4001 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89119. Call ahead and make sure they have what you need at 702-732-2218.
CHASSIS INFO
No.1 McDonald’s Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1208. Crew Chief Kevin “Bono” Manion and the No.1 McDonald’s team will be bringing a brand new chassis, Chassis #1208, to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend.
No.42 Clorox Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1205. Heroy and the No. 42 Clorox team will be bringing a brand new chassis, Chassis #1205, to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend.
2012 STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Pts. Pos.
Jamie McMurray
2
0
0
0
0
20
34
36
Juan Pablo Montoya
2
0
0
0
0
20
23.5
23
CAREER STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Jamie McMurray
332
6
8
41
96
19.4
19.5
Juan Pablo Montoya
183
2
7
20
49
17.6
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
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
Jack Man: Mark Jacobs
Fort Walton Beach, FL
For more information log onto: www.earnhardtganassi.com
