Indianapolis Motor Speedway Advance Notes
Race: Crown Royal presents the Curtiss Shaver 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, July 29
Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2.5-mile oval)
Location: Indianapolis, Ind.
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Media Contacts at Indianapolis Motor 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”.
EGR at Indianapolis: EGR has made 27 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), boasting three poles (2010, 2007 and 2004) and a one-two start in 2007. Along with starting well, EGR has finished well, earning one win with Jamie McMurray in 2010, six top-five and nine top-10 finishes. EGR drivers have completed 4,216 laps out of a possible 4,323 laps (97.5 percent) and have led 299 laps at IMS. EGR has an average starting position of 15.1 and an average finish of 18.6.
Ganassi at Indianapolis: As an Indy car owner in the Indianapolis 500, Chip Ganassi has five wins (1989, 2000, 2008, 2010 and 2012), nine podiums, 16 top-five and 28 top-10 finishes in 44 starts. CGRT drivers have three Indianapolis 500 poles (1993, 2002 and 2008) and have led 1,293 laps in the track’s iconic race.
Twice is Nice: Target Chip Ganassi Racing (TCGR) driver Dario Franchitti won his third Indianapolis 500 this year with teammate Scott Dixon finishing second. Jamie McMurray won the Brickyard 400 in 2010, after Franchitti won the 2010 Indianapolis 500. EGR will attempt another IMS sweep this weekend.
Chevy Power: Chevrolet has dominated The Brickyard in NSCS competition, winning 13 of the 18 races. Racing against four other manufacturers, Chevrolet has led 1,511 laps out of a possible 2,881 laps, or 52.4 percent at IMS.
Goodyear Gives Back: Goodyear will donate one dollar for every tire sold at participating Goodyear dealers in the U.S. from July 1 until August 31, up to $250,000, to benefit Support Our Troops®. McMurray and Montoya, along with many other NSCS drivers signed a Goodyear tire that will be up for auction to raise funds for Support Our Troops. To bid, donate or learn more about how to support this cause click here.
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 – 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.
JAMIE MCMURRAY AND THE NO. 1 BASS PRO SHOPS TEAM
McMurray on Twitter: Catch the latest from the driver of the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boat Chevrolet by following McMurray’s personal Twitter account, @JamieMcMurray.
New Hampshire Recap: From the drop of the green flag, McMurray voiced concern with the handling of the car being very tight through the center of the corners. The No. 1 Bass Pro Shops pit crew worked hard to make adjustments and help McMurray get the car better. With just a limited number of cautions the team was forced to make many of those changes under green flag conditions. The team caught a break with a timely caution with only 110 laps remaining, as McMurray was able to take advantage of a wave-around and get back on the lead lap, eventually bringing home a 20th-place finish.
Last Year at Indianapolis: McMurray was challenged with a car that changed from tight to loose as the race progressed. The Bass Pro Shops crew made the proper adjustments and the correct fuel strategy call leading to a fourth-place finish.
350 in Brickyard 400: McMurray will make his 350th NSCS career start at IMS on Sunday. McMurray, made his first NSCS start in 2002 at Talladega Superspeedway, driving for car owner Chip Ganassi, then made history the following week by winning in just his second start in the series at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Joplin, MO native ranks 12th among active drivers in number of NSCS starts from 2002 to present.
McMurray at Indianapolis: McMurray has made nine starts at IMS, earning one win (2010), three top-fives and five top-10 finishes. He has completed 1,420 laps out of a possible 1,441 laps, or 98.5 percent. He has led 43 laps, and has an average starting position of 15.3 and an average finishing position of 13.1.
Recapping Victory: McMurray qualified the No. 1 in fourth and stayed in the front the entire race, never running lower than sixth. He led 16 laps on his way to victory. This was McMurray’s second win of the season, after winning the Daytona 500 in February. Along with McMurray’s Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400, Franchitti’s 2010 Indianapolis 500 victory gave CGRT the first ever “Triple Crown” of motorsports.
Late Race Heroics: McMurray ranks as the seventh best closer (positions improved in the last 10% of laps in each race), gaining 11 positions in the last seven NSCS races at IMS.
Raise Our Flag: McMurray and EGR will help support the United States Olympic Committee and their “Raise Our Flag” campaign by donating a stitch in America’s flag for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. “Raise Our Flag” is an official United States Olympic fundraising program with donations providing housing, training and equipment for the most elite athletes in America. Find more information here.
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.
New Hampshire Recap: Lining up in 31st on the starting grid, the No. 42 Degree Men team focused on getting Montoya up to the front when the green flag waved. Unfortunately it became apparent almost immediately that the handling was going to hinder a charge to the front. Adding to that, long green flag runs were predominate during the first half of the race so adjustments to the car were limited. Montoya and the team battled it out despite the handling woes and crossed the finish line in 25th.
Last Year at Indianapolis: The Target Chevrolet rolled off in seventh to start the 2011 Brickyard 400, and stayed in the top-15 for 128 of the 160 laps. After his final pit stop, Montoya rejoined the field in the middle of the pack and battled his way to a 28th-place finish.
Montoya at Indianapolis: Montoya has made five NSCS starts at IMS. He qualified on the pole in 2010, and earned a second-place finish in 2007. Montoya has completed 749 laps out of a possible 800 laps, or 93.6 percent. He has led 202 laps and has an average start of fifth and an average finish of 22.4.
Open-Wheel Experience: Montoya has competed at IMS in the Indy car series and Formula One. He won the 2000 Indianapolis 500 in his only Indy car series start at IMS. After qualifying second, Montoya dominated the race, leading 167 of the 200 laps on his way to victory, giving TCGR its first Indianapolis 500 win. Montoya made five Formula One starts at Indianapolis, highlighted by one top-five and two top-10 finishes.
Groundbreaking: A victory for Montoya this weekend will make him the only driver in history to win the Indianapolis 500 and the NSCS race at IMS.
On Target: In the last seven NSCS races at IMS, Montoya has led the most laps with 202, which is 72 laps more than second-place driver, Jimmie Johnson. Montoya ranks in the top-five in multiple categories including, fastest laps run (first, with 105), fastest on restarts (first), average driver rating (third) and average running position (fourth).
Iron Man: Chip Goode, rear tire carrier for the No. 42 Target team, will make his 500th consecutive NSCS start going over the wall this weekend at IMS.
CHASSIS INFO
No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1112. Crew Chief Kevin “Bono” Manion and the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats team will bring chassis #1112 back to Indianapolis. Chassis #1112 raced at Indianapolis last year earning a fourth- place finish, and at Darlington earlier this year, finishing 34th after sustaining damage from an on-track incident.
No. 42 Target Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1107. Crew Chief Chris “Shine” Heroy and the No. 42 Target team will return to Indianapolis with chassis #1107. This chassis has two races of experience, the October, 2011 Kansas race and last year at Indianapolis, finishing 23rd and 28th, respectively.
2012 STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Pts. Pos.
Jamie McMurray
19
0
0
0
3
21.7
18.6
20
Juan Pablo Montoya
19
0
0
0
2
24.4
20.4
21
CAREER STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Jamie McMurray
349
6
8
41
99
19.5
19.3
Juan Pablo Montoya
200
2
7
20
51
18.2
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: Dennis Terry
Mooresboro, NC
Gas Man: Ed Watkins
Richmond, VA
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 148 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.
