Richmond International Raceway Advance Notes
Race: Federated Auto Parts 400 on Saturday, September 8 (7 p.m. ET. ABC)
Track: Richmond International Raceway (3/4 mile Tri-oval)
Location: Richmond, Va.
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 Richmond: EGR has made 57 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) starts at Richmond. In those starts, EGR drivers have earned six top-10 finishes and 17 top-15 finishes. EGR has completed 21,055 laps out of a possible 22,799 laps, or 92.3 percent, and has led 150 laps. Juan Pablo Montoya has EGR’s highest start at Richmond (first, 2011). Montoya also has EGR’s highest finish (sixth, 2010).
Carrying the Torch: Chevrolet leads all manufacturers in NSCS wins at Richmond, visiting victory lane 37 times. Ford comes in second place, making 30 appearances in victory lane.
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/Allstate Chevrolet by following McMurray’s personal Twitter account, @JamieMcMurray.
Atlanta Recap: From the drop of the green flag on Sunday evening, the No. 1 team would struggle with the handle on the race car. McMurray reported extremes from both tight to loose during the race. McMurray was running in the 14th-position with less than 10 laps remaining when he radioed in that a tire was going flat. Hoping to just ride out the last few laps and bring home a lead lap finish, the right front tire blew out and sent McMurray into the wall and crashing the hopes of a top-15 finish. The damaged Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet would cross the finish line in the 24th-position.
Previously at Richmond: Earlier this year at Richmond, McMurray qualified his No. 1 McDonald’s Chevrolet 37th and quickly worked his way inside the top-20. The McDonald’s team battled to overcome a two-lap deficit in the second half of the race and was able to improve several positions in the closing laps. McMurray would end up finishing a respectful 14th-place.
McMurray at Richmond: McMurray has made 19 NSCS starts at Richmond, earning three top-10 finishes and four top-15 finishes. He has completed 7107 laps out of a possible 7603 or 93.5 percent, and has led 19 laps. McMurray’s average start is 24.2 and his average finish is 23.2. His best start was second in September 2011.
Going to the Dogs: The Bass Pro Shops team will host a special guest from K9’s for Warriors at Richmond this weekend. Justin Madore and his service canine Cody, will join the team to take part in the driver intros with Jamie McMurray and watch the race from the No. 1 team pit box. K9’s for Warriors is an organization that trains and provides service canines for veterans that suffer from Traumatic Brain Injuries and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Drop a Line at Bass Pro Shops: Jamie McMurray will make a special appearance at the Richmond Bass Pro Shops store this Thursday at 6:00 p.m. to meet fans and sign autographs. The Richmond Bass Pro Shops store is located at 11550 Lakeridge Parkway Ashland, VA 23005 (804-496-4700).
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.
Atlanta Recap: The green flag flew for the 325-lap race and Montoya was on a man on a mission, advancing 10 positions from his 33rd-starting spot by lap 25. The No. 42 Target Chevrolet entered the top-20, moving as high as 18th, before battling a tight and loose car and dropping to 21st-position. Eventually, Montoya felt more stability in the car and started to improve his lap times, but would brush the wall on lap 242 and bring out a caution, causing the No. 42 to make an unexpected pit stop for minor repairs. Team Target continued to fight for track position before crossing the finish line in 21st-place.
Earlier this Year at Richmond: In the first Richmond race of the 2012 season, Montoya started 20th. Team Target would fight its way up to the front of the field, ultimately finishing 12th.
Montoya at Richmond: In his NSCS career, Montoya has made 11 starts at Richmond. He has three top-10 and five top-15 finishes, with his highest finish of sixth in May 2010. He has completed 4,224 laps out of a possible 4,410 laps, or 95.8 percent, and has led 28 laps. Montoya’s average start at Richmond is 14, while his average finish is 20.6. Montoya won the pole for the Richmond race in April 2011.
Race Day with Juan: Juan Pablo Montoya and Homestead-Miami Speedway teamed up this summer to offer fans a special package benefiting the Formula Smiles Foundation. The package includes a ticket to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship on Nov 18 Exclusive Q&A session with Miami’s own Juan Pablo Montoya, Pre-Race Pit Pass, Juan Pablo Montoya Commemorative Hat and Raffle Prizes. Call (305-230-5255) to buy your package today!
Aim for the Bullseye: Be sure to stop by Target for all your race-day supplies. Visit Target located at 5401 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230 (804-285-3492) on your way to the track this weekend.
CHASSIS INFO
No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Allstate Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1008. Crew Chief Kevin “Bono” Manion and the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Allstate team will use Chassis #1108 for Richmond. Chassis #1008 has been used as a back-up at several raves this year but will make its 2012 season debut this weekend at Richmond.
No. 42 Target Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1203. Crew Chief Chris “Shine” Heroy and the No. 42 Target team will travel to Richmond with Chassis #1203. This chassis was used this season at Phoenix, finishing 11th, Richmond, finishing 12th, and Loudon finishing 25th.
2012 STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Pts. Pos.
Jamie McMurray
25
0
0
0
3
21.0
19.4
19
Juan Pablo Montoya
25
0
2
0
2
22.6
20.9
21
CAREER STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Jamie McMurray
355
6
8
41
99
19.5
19.4
Juan Pablo Montoya
206
2
9
20
51
18.1
19.7
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 150 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
