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[/media-credit]Bristol Motor Speedway Advance Notes
Race: Food City 500 on Sunday, March 18
Track: Bristol Motor Speedway (.533 mile oval)
Location: Bristol, Tenn.
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Media Contacts at Bristol Motor Speedway
Jeff Dowling No.1 McDonald’s 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.
Track Laps for Kids: For the first time ever during a NASCAR event weekend, Bristol Motor Speedway is offering fans the opportunity to drive their personal cars on the track. On Thursday, March 15th fans can drive their vehicles on the track known as “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile” following the Food City 500 pace car. The cost for each vehicle is $25, with proceeds benefiting the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.
Number “Won”: In the 102 NSCS races held at Bristol Motor Speedway, Chevrolet is the winningest manufacturer with 42 victories or 41% of the races run at the track.
EGR at Bristol: Since 2001, EGR drivers have accumulated three top-five, 15 top-10 and 23 top-15 finishes at Bristol Motor Speedway. EGR drivers have led 318 laps at the half-mile oval.
Jamie McMurray and No.1 McDonald’s Team
Las Vegas Recap: After some challenges at the start of the race McMurray quickly began to make up any lost ground and drove the McDonald’s Chevrolet toward the front of the field, running over 72% of the race among the top-15 cars. The No.1 crew varied the strategy for the remainder of the event taking only two tires under caution on two separate occasions, along with a gas-and-go on the teams’ final pit stop of the day. The No.1 McDonald’s Chevrolet netted the team its best finish in the early going of the season, finishing eighth.
MOOG Mover: Crew Chief Kevin “Bono” Manion received the MOOG Problem Solver of the Race award after last weekend’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The $5,500 award goes to the team that improves the most from the first half to the second half of the race while finishing on the lead lap. McMurray’s lap times improved .302 seconds from the first half to the second half of the Kobalt Tools 400.
McMurray at Bristol: This weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway marks McMurray’s 19th start at the half-mile oval. In his previous 18 starts McMurray has accumulated three top-five finishes, seven top-10 finishes and has led 21 laps. He has completed 8,753 of 9,013 laps at the track (97.1%) and has zero DNF’s (did not finish). McMurray’s best start at the track is third (2007) and his best finish is also third (2003, 2010). His average starting position is 16.4 and his average finishing position is 17.7. The No.1 team looks to improve on last fall’s success, where McMurray started sixth, finished fifth and led two laps.
To the Front: In the last 14 NSCS events held at Bristol Motor Speedway, McMurray ranks second in the number of green flag passes completed, with 737.
Short Stats: In 90 short track starts, McMurray has one pole, six top-fives and 27 top-10 finishes. He has completed 36,220 out of 38,125 laps (95%) and has led 317. McMurray has an average start and finish of 17.3 and 20.1, respectively.
Golden Arches: There’s no reason to go hungry while visiting Bristol Motor Speedway this week. McDonald’s has four locations conveniently located within ten miles of the track. Locations can be found at: 1102 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, TN; 2633 W State, Bristol TN; 2065 Lee Highway, Bristol, VA; 220 Century Blvd., Bristol, TN.
Juan Pablo Montoya and No. 42 Target Team
Las Vegas Recap: Montoya was forced to go to a back-up car after making contact with the wall during Friday’s first practice session. The team would later opt to replace the engine, making the No.42 start at the rear of the field. Come race time, the Clorox Chevrolet gained 12 positions within the first five laps. Not long after, Montoya reported some handling concerns. The team made multiple pit stops throughout the race to try and help with the handling. As the laps progressed the handling started to return but the team was unable to get back on the lead lap and would have to settle for a 25th-place finish.
Montoya at Bristol: Montoya looks to make his 11th start this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. In his 10 starts at the half-mile oval he has two top-10 finishes, zero DNF’s and has completed 4,966 of 5,013 laps (99%). He has an average starting and finishing position of 19.0 and 19.3, respectively. Montoya’s best start of second came in 2007 and his best finish of seventh came in 2010.
Short Stats: Montoya has 51 starts on NASCAR’s short tracks with one pole, four top-fives and 12 top-10 finishes. He has led 212 laps and completed 21,031 out of 21,541 laps (98%). The Target driver’s average start and finish are 18.1 and 18.9, respectively.
“Top” Notch: In the 10 races Montoya has competed in at Bristol Motor Speedway he has run 2,418 laps in the top-15, which is 48.2% of the laps he has run at the track.
Hit the Bullseye: Need something in a pinch? No need to worry – Target has all of the essentials and more. Target is just fourteen miles from Bristol Motor Speedway, located at 16600 Highlands Center Blvd., Bristol, VA 24202. Call ahead and make sure they have what you need at 276-642-6300.
CHASSIS INFO
No.1 McDonald’s Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1106. Manion and the No.1 McDonald’s team will bring Chassis #1106 to Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend. This chassis competed in both races at Kansas Speedway (finishing 29th and 22nd) as well as Atlanta Motor Speedway (finishing 16th).
No.42 Target Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1111. Crew Chief Chris Heroy and the No.42 Target team will bring Chassis #1111 to Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend. This chassis made its debut in last season’s finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, leading two laps and finishing 31st after an accident put the No. 42 four laps down.
2012 STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Pts. Pos.
Jamie McMurray
3
0
0
0
1
19.7
25.3
25
Juan Pablo Montoya
3
0
0
0
0
23
24
24
CAREER STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Jamie McMurray
333
6
8
41
97
19.4
19.4
Juan Pablo Montoya
184
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
