[media-credit name=”www.mispeedway.com” align=”alignright” width=”175″]
[/media-credit]Michigan International Speedway Advance Notes
Race: Quicken Loans 400 on Sunday, June 17
Track: Michigan International Speedway (2.0-mile oval)
Location: Brooklyn, Mich.
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”.
EGR at Michigan: In 43 starts at Michigan International Speedway (MIS), EGR drivers have accumulated one win (2007: Sterling Marlin), four top-fives, nine top-10s and have led 207 laps.
Did you know?: EGR has earned two victories in the ARCA Series at MIS. In 2003, Casey Mears started from the pole and led 55 of 100 laps to earn EGR’s first ARCA victory. In 2004, Reed Sorenson rolled off second and led 59 laps en route to victory at MIS.
Watch out: Kyle Larson, who was announced as a developmental driver for EGR in February, will make his first appearance in the ARCA Racing Series fresh off his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East win on Saturday, June 9 at Gresham Motorsports Park. Larson will race the No. 6 Eddie Sharp Racing entry in the RainEater Wiper Blades 200 at MIS, which airs live on SPEED, Friday, June 15 at 5 p.m. ET.
There’s an App for that: 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 – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, IZOD IndyCar Series and GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series. Click here to visit the iTunes Application store and download the CGRT mobile app.
JAMIE MCMURRAY AND NO. 1 MCDONALD’S TEAM
McMurray on Twitter: Catch the latest from the driver of the No. 1 McDonald’s Chevrolet by following Jamie McMurray’s personal Twitter account, @JamieMcMurray.
Pocono Recap: The No. 1 Banana Boat Chevrolet started 11th and quickly moved up to the front of the field, where McMurray led three times for 14 laps during the 160-lap race. The No. 1 team focused on fuel strategy to keep McMurray in position should the race come down to a battle of fuel mileage. Crew chief Kevin “Bono” Manion had McMurray on a different pit cycle than some of the leaders hoping for a long green flag run, that would force many others to need one additional fuel stop. However, two cautions in the last 25 laps benefited those teams that were gambling on fuel mileage. McMurray would still battle to a 10th-place finish, gaining nine positions in the final 15 laps.
McMurray at Michigan: In 18 starts at MIS, McMurray has earned one top-five, four top-10s and led 14 laps. He has an average start of 25 and an average finish of 19.5. His best start is second in 2010, while his best finish is fourth in 2004.
Pass and Go: McMurray ranks first in the number of green flag passes in the last 14 races at MIS. The driver of the No. 1 Chevrolet has completed 1,249 passes, which is 91 more passes than the driver ranked second.
Cowboy up!: Stop by the McDonald’s Rock and Race Concert Saturday evening at Michigan International The concert will feature Big $ Rich with special guests Cowboy Troy and Bradley Gaskin. The multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated duo will headline the always popular and free post-race concert in Lot 10 on June 16. The concert will begin shortly after the Alliance Truck Parts 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race.
Golden Arches: There’s no reason to go hungry while visiting Michigan International Speedway this week. McDonald’s is conveniently located within two miles of the track at 306 South Main Street, Brooklyn, MI.
JUAN PABLO MONTOYA AND THE NO. 42 TARGET TEAM
Montoya on Twitter: Catch the latest from the driver of the No. 42 Target Chevrolet by following Montoya’s personal Twitter account, @jpmontoya.
Pocono Recap: The No. 42 Chevrolet started 17th and unfortunately brushed the wall as the Pocono 400 went green flag racing. The Target team brought the car down pit road multiple times for repairs and adjustments. Pit strategy fell into place as the laps continued. Montoya and the Target team stayed out on track as two caution flags flew in the closing laps and battled it out until the end. When the checkered flag waved, the No. 42 was credited with 17th.
Montoya at Michigan: In 10 starts at MIS, Montoya has earned two top-10 finishes. He has an average start and finish of 17.4 and 23.2, respectively. His best start came in the summer of 2009, when the driver of the No. 42 Chevrolet rolled off third, while his best finish of sixth came in the spring of 2009.
Going for a Test Drive: After the recent repave at MIS, Montoya participated in a Goodyear tire test in April. Montoya commented, “This place is fast, I mean, fast, fast. Our minimum speed was over 180 mph into the corner and we are doing over 210 mph at the end of the straight. For a car like this it’s really, really quick. It’s a lot of fun.”
Like a Rock: The No. 42 Target pit crew will be at the Chevy display on Sunday, June 17 at 9:30 a.m. ET to sign autographs. Also, keep an eye out for Montoya, who is featured in national Chevrolet advertisements, which recently debuted. This year marks the beginning of the fourth season EGR has partnered with Chevrolet in the NSCS. This is Montoya’s first appearance in a national Chevrolet advertisement.
Hit the Bullseye: On the way to Michigan International Speedway this weekend, stop by Target for all of your race-day essentials. Target is located at 1076 Jackson Crossing, Jackson, MI. Call ahead and make sure they have what you need at 517-788-3900.
CHASSIS INFO
No. 1 McDonald’s Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1208. Crew Chief Kevin “Bono” Manion and the No. 1 McDonald’s team will bring Chassis #1208 to Michigan International Speedway this weekend. This chassis has raced this season at Las Vegas and Kansas finishing eighth and 14th, respectively. Most recently, this chassis raced in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, finishing 21st.
No. 42 Target Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1209. Crew Chief Chris “Shine” Heroy and the No. 42 Target team will bring Chassis #1209 to Michigan International Speedway this weekend. This is the first race for this chassis.
2012 STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Pts. Pos.
Jamie McMurray
14
0
0
0
3
21.0
29.4
19
Juan Pablo Montoya
14
0
0
0
1
25.4
19.9
21
CAREER STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Jamie McMurray
344
6
8
41
99
19.4
19.4
Juan Pablo Montoya
195
2
7
20
50
18.1
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: Jeremy Fuller
Newnan, GA
Chief Mechanic: Randall Burnett
Fenton, MO
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 147 victories, including four 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
