Watkins Glen International Advance Notes
Race: Finger Lakes 355 at The Glen on Sunday, August 12
Track: Watkins Glen International (2.45-mile road course)
Location: Watkins Glen, N.Y.
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Media Contacts at Watkins Glen International
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”.
EGR at Watkins Glen: EGR has made 28 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) starts at Watkins Glen, earning one win with Juan Pablo Montoya in 2010, five top-five, and 10 top-10 finishes. In those starts, EGR has completed 2,382 laps out of a possible 2,520 laps, or 94 percent, and has led 109 laps. EGR has an average start of 19.1 and an average finish of 18th. In the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) EGR has five starts at Watkins Glen, earning one pole and one top-five finish with Dario Franchitti in 2008.
Leading the Way: Chevrolet leads all manufacturers in NSCS wins at Watkins Glen, visiting victory lane 16 times. Ford is in second-place with six wins.
GRAND-AM: The No. 01 Telmex Dinan-Prepared BMW/Riley will compete in the Continental Tire 200 at Watkins Glen on Saturday, August 11 at 6:00 pm. Chip Ganassi Racing Team drivers, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas are currently leading the points and are fresh off a podium finish at the inaugural GRAND-AM race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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.
JAMIE MCMURRAY AND THE NO. 1 MCDONALD’S TEAM
McMurray on Twitter: Catch the latest from the driver of the No. 1 McDonald’s Chevrolet by following McMurray’s personal Twitter account, @JamieMcMurray.
Pocono Review: From the delayed start of the race, all the teams knew that they would be racing against the clock to beat the weather forecast with approaching rains. McMurray reported in the opening laps that his car was very loose. The team tried to short-pit to make adjustments. The strategy put McMurray on a pit-cycle that would hopefully have the No.1 Chevrolet up front when the rain would eventually arrive. Unfortunately, a caution on lap 92 allowed teams on the opposite pit-cycle the opportunity to stay on the track as the rain arrived that would put an early end to the race. The Bass Pro Shops team posted a 17th-place finish.
Last Year at Watkins Glen: McMurray rolled off 14th, but was forced to make an unscheduled pit stop early in the race. McMurray battled in the middle of the field all day, bringing home a 17th place finish.
McMurray at Watkins Glen: McMurray has made nine starts at Watkins Glen, earning one top-five, and two top-10 finishes. He has completed 781 laps out of a possible 814 laps, or 95.9 percent, and has led 12 laps. In his nine starts his highest starting position was second in 2010, and his highest finish was third in 2006. McMurray’s average start is 17.2 and his average finish is 18.2.
Good Track Record: In the last seven NSCS races at Watkins Glen, McMurray ranks in the top-10 in two major categories; laps led (ninth) and speed in traffic (10th).
The Mac is Back: After a four race break, McDonald’s rejoins the No. 1 Chevrolet as the primary sponsor. McDonald’s will be the primary sponsor in five more races in 2012. McDonalds is located at 3327 Chambers Road and Route 17, Horseheads N.Y. stop in on your way to or from the track.
Family Time: Jamie McMurray will be at the McDonald’s Family Zone at 9:15am on Sunday morning at Watkins Glen to meet fans and sign autographs. The Family Zone is just inside the East Tunnel.
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.
Pocono Review: Montoya qualified the No. 42 Target Chevrolet on the pole for the first time since April, 2011 at Richmond International Raceway. The start of the Pennsylvania 400 was delayed by nearly two-hours due to rain in the area and when it finally got underway, the No. 42 Target Chevrolet led the field for a total of seven laps. Shortly after the opening laps, Montoya reported in some handling woes. Unfortunately long green flag runs limited the amount of time the No. 42 could spend on pit road for adjustments. When a lengthy caution did present itself, the crew made major adjustments in hopes of charging back to the front of the field. That opportunity would never arise as rain showers returned and the race was called with 62 laps remaining. The Target team would settle for 20th.
Last Year at Watkins Glen: The No. 42 Target Chevrolet was fast all weekend, qualifying fifth and finishing seventh. Montoya ran 70 laps in the top-10 and was credited with leading four laps in the rain-delayed race.
Montoya at Watkins Glen: Montoya has made five NSCS starts at Watkins Glen, earning one win in 2010, two top-five and four top-10 finishes. He has completed 434 laps out of a possible 452 laps, or 96 percent, and has led 80 laps. At The Glen, Montoya has an average start of 12.2 and an average finish of 11.4.
Man on a Mission: In the last seven NSCS races at Watkins Glen, Montoya ranks in the top five for speed in traffic (first), quality passes (first), average running position (second), fastest drivers late in a run (second), driver rating (third), fastest laps run (third), fastest on restarts (third), green flag speed (third) and laps led (third).
Special Appearance: Montoya will make a special fan appearance at The Bog fan hospitality area at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 11.
Do The Dew: Mountain Dew will be featured on the No. 42 Chevrolet’s quarter panels this weekend at Watkins Glen. The citrus flavored soft drink has been energizing and bringing smiles to its fans since its release in 1948.
A Visit to Target House: Montoya, along with Target teammate Franchitti, made a visit to Target house on Tuesday, Aug. 7. They spent time with children who are undergoing treatment at St. Jude children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. Created in 1962, Target House is an innovative approach to long-term housing for families with children who are currently receiving treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This unique facility enhances the quality of life for its residents, who benefit from the privacy of family apartments, as well as common areas that help families interact with one another while at Target House.
CHASSIS INFO
No. 1 McDonald’s Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1012. Crew Chief Kevin “Bono” Manion and the No. 1 McDonald’s team will bring Chassis #1012 to Watkins Glen. Chassis #1012 will make its sixth appearance and third race at Watkins Glen. It has finished 17th at Watkins Glen twice, and in three races at Sonoma finished 15th twice and earlier this season finished 19th.
No. 42 Target Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1014. Crew Chief Chris “Shine” Heroy and the No. 42 Target team will race with Chassis #1014 this weekend at Watkins Glen. This chassis was used for Montoya’s 2010 win at Watkins Glen and finished seventh there in 2011. In three starts at Sonoma, Chassis #1014 has finished 10th, 15th and 34th. Chassis #1014 has led 80 laps.
2012 STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Pts. Pos.
Jamie McMurray
21
0
0
0
3
21.2
18.7
19
Juan Pablo Montoya
21
0
1
0
2
22.7
20.4
21
CAREER STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Jamie McMurray
351
6
8
41
99
19.5
19.3
Juan Pablo Montoya
202
2
8
20
51
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: Dennis Terry
Mooresboro, NC
Gas Man: Ed Watkins
Richmond, VA
Front Tire Carrier: Jake Brzozowski
N/A
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 149 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
