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[/media-credit]Charlotte Motor Speedway Advance Notes
Race: Sprint Showdown on Saturday, May 19
Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway (1.5-mile Quad-Oval)
Location: Concord, N.C.
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 re-launched an updated mobile application, which is one of the first 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 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series. Click here to visit the iTunes Application store and download the CGRT mobile app.
Greatest CGR Driver Bracket: With both the IZOD IndyCar Series and NSCS holding two of their largest events of the season during the month of May, CGRT has launched their first-ever all-time greatest driver bracket. The promotion encourages fans to vote for their All-Time Greatest Chip Ganassi Racing Driver through the team’s social media platforms. With over 23 years of history in motorsports, CGRT trimmed their all-time list of over 50 drivers down to 16. Match-ups began May 11 across all three CGRT Twitter handles – @CGRTeams, @TCGRTeams and @EGRTeams. There will be a new match-up every day with the finals concluding on Friday, May 25. The All-Time Greatest Chip Ganassi Racing Driver will be announced on Saturday, May 26, the day before the Coca-Cola 600 and Indianapolis 500.
Rock the EGR Vote: “Rock the EGR Vote” for the 2012 All-Star Race campaign is in its final week. Stay tuned to EGR’s social media channels for giveaways leading up to the green flag of the Sprint Showdown. This unique campaign features a number of promotions and giveaways designed to reward EGR fans for supporting McMurray and Montoya in casting votes to see them in the May 19 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, airing live on SPEED. Fans can cast unlimited votes at the following locations: Mobile Handsets by texting “VOTE” to 229466 or by using the NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile Application; Online at www.nascar.com/allstar; At-Track at the Sprint Experience. The Sprint Fan Vote closes at 5 pm (EDT) May 19.
Autograph Session: Don’t miss the opportunity to meet EGR drivers McMurray and Montoya for a joint autograph session on Thursday, May 24, at 10 am ET at the EGR Shop located in Concord, NC. Fans must reserve a wristband to attend the event and can do so by calling EGR, at 704-662-9642, or stopping by the gift shop. 150 wristbands will be available for reservation beginning the week of May 14 and an additional 100 will be available the week of May 21, leading up to the morning of the event. Please limit phone requests to two per person. Wristbands will be available for pick up during normal gift shop hours (8 am – 4:30 pm ET) beginning Monday, May 21.
Jamie McMurray and No. 1 Bass Pro Shops®/Allstate Team
Darlington Recap: After posting a solid 11th-place qualifying effort on Friday, the No. 1 team would focus efforts to the always challenging Southern 500. McMurray and team worked to maintain position on the lead lap during the long green-flag runs that dominated the beginning of the 367-lap race, including the first stretch that went more than 170 laps before the first caution of the night. McMurray lost a lap in the middle stages of the race but took advantage of pit strategy to get back on the lead lap and worked hard to gain valuable track position. Unfortunately, an on-track altercation later with a competitor would force the Bass Pro Shops team to the garage for lengthy repairs, after returning to action in the closing laps the No. 1 team would bring the damaged race car home with a 34th-place finish.
New Look: The No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet will have a special look for the Sprint Showdown. Instead of the usual orange, the No. 1 will be white and camouflage with an orange number.
Showdown Stats: Dating back to 2003, McMurray has made four appearances in the preliminary event to the All-Star Race. His best start came in 2004 when he rolled off third, while his best finish came in 2009 when he came to the checkered in second. He has led 20 laps in the Showdown and has an average start of 13.2 and an average finish of eighth.
All-Star Stats: McMurray has participated in the All-Star Race on six occasions. In 2009, a second place finish in the preliminary event earned McMurray a spot in the All-Star Race. In his six starts, McMurray has an average start and finish position of 12.8 and 17.1, respectively. His best start was fourth in 2010, while his best finish was ninth in 2009.
McMurray at Charlotte: McMurray returns to the site of his first NSCS victory this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In 19 starts at the track, McMurray has accumulated two wins (2002, 2010), five top-fives and eight top-10s. He has led 238 laps and holds an average start and finish position of 22.4 and 17.4, respectively.
Bass Pro Shops: Stop by Bass Pro Shops for all of your hunting, fishing and outdoor needs. Bass Pro Shops is conveniently located within five miles of Charlotte Motor Speedway. Visit the store at 8181 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC 20827. Call ahead to make sure they have what you need at 704-979-2200.
Juan Pablo Montoya and No. 42 Target Team
Darlington Recap: The Bojangles’ Southern 500 started out in an unusual fashion as the race stayed green for the opening 172 laps. That was the longest stretch of caution-free racing at Darlington since 1979. The long green flag runs affected the No. 42 Target team’s ability to resolve the handling concerns Montoya experienced early on. The team played on strategy and worked on the race car at every opportunity to get the handling under control. Montoya ran mid-field and stayed away from any on-track melee as the laps wound down. When the checkered flag waved, the No. 42 Target Chevrolet was credited with the 24th position.
Showdown Stats: Montoya has made three appearances in the preliminary event to the All-Star Race. He has an average start and finish of 10th and 22.6, respectively. His best start was fifth in 2007, while his best finish was 12th in 2009.
All-Star Stats: Two times Montoya has appeared in the All-Star Race (2008, 2011). He has an average start of 11.5 and an average finish of 13. His best start and finish came in last year’s All-Star Race when he started eighth and finished 12th.
Montoya at Charlotte: Montoya has made 10 starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway, accumulating one top-10 and leading five laps. He has an average start of 26.4 and an average finish of 24.7.
Surprise and Delight: In addition to being the presenting sponsor of the Blake Shelton pre-race concert, Target will have nine branded race carts providing samples of their grocery items in the campgrounds surrounding Charlotte Motor Speedway, a Target Taste Wagon as well as a Target Shuttle that will provide fans transportation to the Target in Kannapolis, N.C. Look for the Target branded vehicles on track property from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m Thursday, May 17 – Saturday, May 19 and then again from Thursday, May 24 – Saturday, May 26.
A Few Chosen “Juans”: Target brand ambassadors will also be on-site to hand out some added items such as meet and greets with Montoya as well as a private autograph session with the Target driver, race tickets, Blake Shelton VIP concert tickets, tours of the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing race shop, and autographed race merchandise.
Hit the Bullseye: On the way to Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend, stop by Target for all of your race-day essentials. Target is located at 6150 Bayfield Parkway, Concord NC, 28027. Call ahead and make sure they have what you need at 704-262-6080.
CHASSIS INFO
No. 1 Bass Pro Shops®/AllState Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1106. Crew Chief Kevin “Bono” Manion and the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops®/AllState team will bring Chassis #1106 to Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. Last season, 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 #1119. Crew Chief Chris “Shine” Heroy and the No. 42 Target team will bring Chassis #1119 to Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. This chassis saw track-time last year at Charlotte and Texas Motor Speedway finishing 14th and 18th, respectively. This season, this chassis finished 17th at Fontana and 16th at Texas.
2012 STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Pts. Pos.
Jamie McMurray
11
0
0
0
2
20.7
20.2
20
Juan Pablo Montoya
11
0
0
0
1
25.3
19.5
19
CAREER STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Jamie McMurray
341
6
8
41
98
19.4
19.4
Juan Pablo Montoya
192
2
7
20
50
18.0
19.5
TEAM ROSTERS
Max Jones – Team Manager
John Probst – Technical Director
No. 1 (NSCS)
Hometown
Hometown
Crew Chief: Kevin Manion
Boylston, MA
Rear Tire Changer: Brian Eastland
New Bern, NC
Chief Mechanic: Gary Putnam
Vernon, CT
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
About Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, Inc.
Chip Ganassi has been a fixture in the auto racing industry for over 25 years and is considered one of the most successful as well as innovative owners the sport has anywhere in the world. Today his teams include four in the IZOD IndyCar Series, two cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and one Daytona Prototype in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series. Overall his teams have 14 championships and 145 victories, including three Indianapolis 500s, a Daytona 500, a Brickyard 400 and four Rolex 24 At Daytonas. Ganassi boasts state-of-the-art race shop facilities in Indianapolis and Brownsburg, Ind. and Concord, N.C., with a corporate office in Pittsburgh, Penn.
For more information log onto: www.earnhardtganassi.com
