Charlotte Motor Speedway Advance Notes
Race: Bank of America 500
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”.
ESPN Joins EGR: For the third consecutive season EGR will host ESPN staff as part of the NASCAR immersion weekend, to introduce on-air and behind-the-scenes talent from the network to the inner workings of the sport. Chris McKendry and Robert Abbott will join the No. 1 and No. 42 teams respectively to become part of the crew for race day. They will each have the opportunity to meet the drivers and team members in addition to performing various race day duties such as completing the pre-race checklist on the race car, attending the team meeting and other miscellaneous pit crew duties during the race.
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.
Carrying the Torch: Of the 107 NSCS races held at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Chevrolet has accumulated 40 victories. That is 12 more wins than the next closest manufacturer.
EGR at Charlotte: Since 2001 EGR drivers have made 57 starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway, accumulating three victories (2001, 2002, 2010), six top-fives and 15 top-10s. EGR drivers have led a total of 372 laps and have completed 18,778 of 20,655 laps (91%).
JAMIE MCMURRAY AND THE NO. 1 MCDONALD’S TEAM
Talladega Recap: Jamie McMurray had one of his best races of the season before it abruptly ended with just five laps remaining as the result of an on-track incident while he was running in fourth-position. It was his second appearance of the season at Talladega Superspeedway on the 10th anniversary of his first-ever NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career start. The No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet started the 500-mile race in 24th-position and ran with the lead pack all race long, leading more laps than any other driver, before the wreck resulted in a 34th-place finish for McMurray.
Leader of the Pack: Jamie McMurray received the 3M Lap Leader Award following the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. McMurray was awarded for leading the most laps a Talladega, where he paced the field for 38 laps.
Decade Anniversary: In just his second NSCS start on October 13, 2002 McMurray, subbing for an injured Sterling Marlin started at Charlotte Motor Speedway in fifth-position and led 96 laps en route to his first NSCS victory. This Saturday, October 13th will mark the 10 year anniversary of his maiden victory at Charlotte.
McMurray at Charlotte: McMurray has made 20 starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In those 20 starts, the driver of the No. 1 Chevrolet has accumulated two wins (2002, 2010), five top-five, eight top-10 finishes and led 238 laps. He has an average start and finish position of 22.8 and 17.6, respectively. His best start at the 1.5-mile oval was fifth in 2002. He has finished in the lead lap on 45% of his starts.
Pass and Go: During his last visit to Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, McMurray made the most green-flag passes in the field with 165.
Intermediate Stats: At intermediate tracks (tracks greater than one mile, but less than two miles), McMurray has 173 starts, collecting two victories (Charlotte: 2002, 2010), 20 top-five finishes, 47 top-10 finishes and leading 841 laps.
The Mac is Back: The McDonald’s Arches will be back on the hood of the No. 1 Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Be sure to make a pit stop at the local McDonald’s on your way to the races. McDonald’s is located within 2 miles of Charlotte Motor Speedway, at 7810 Lyles Lane Northwest Concord, NC 28027 (704) 979-0298
JUAN PABLO MONTOYA AND No. 42 TARGET TEAM
Talladega Recap: The final superspeedway race of the season was filled with its usual excitement and drama as the 189-lap race experienced 54 lead changes among 18 leaders and a wreck on the final lap that involved 25 cars. The Target team ran a solid race and was right up in the mix of it all until Montoya radioed in a motor problem with less than 40 laps to go. The No. 42 Chevrolet was forced to go to the garage early and end their day with a 38th-place finish.
Montoya at Charlotte: Montoya looks to make his 12th start this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In his previous 11 starts he has led five laps and earned one top-10. His best start and finish came in 2009 when he started eighth and came to the checkered in ninth. The driver of the No. 42 Chevrolet has an average starting position of 26.6 and an average finishing position of 24.3 at the 1.5-mile oval.
Pass ‘Em All: During the last race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, Montoya completed 132 green flag passes.
Intermediate Stats: In his NSCS career at intermediate tracks, Montoya has 100 starts, earning nine top-fives, 17 top-10’s and leading 336 laps.
Part of a Healthy Breakfast: Now in their second year with the Target NASCAR program, the No. 42 will feature Kellogg’s as the major associate sponsor this weekend. Montoya is featured on limited-edition Kellogg’s foods, including Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts, Rice Krispies Treats and Vrooms cereal, which are sold only at Target stores. On-pack sweepstakes allow consumers to win a multitude of race-exclusive items. Entrants have a chance to win driver autographed merchandise, gift cards, or an ultimate grand prize which sends one lucky person and a guest to a NASCAR or INDYCAR race in 2013.
Target Tailgate: Target will roll out an extensive event activation campaign this weekend, culminating in the Target tailgate party on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 11:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. at the fifth-mile campground at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Engaging 1,000 NASCAR fans with free food along with appearances and demonstrations by Montoya and his No. 42 pit crew, the tailgate will feature complementary food prepared using Target products and a live DJ providing music and entertainment. Guests will have a chance to win pit passes, Target Racing autographed merchandise, Target gift cards and other great prizes.
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 N.C, 28027. Call ahead and make sure they have what you need at 704-262-6080.
CHASSIS INFO
No. 1 McDonald’s Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1106. Crew Chief Kevin “Bono” Manion and the No. 1 McDonald’s team will bring Chassis #1106 to Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. This chassis has raced this season at Bristol, Charlotte, Pocono, and Kentucky with a best finish of 7th (Bristol).
No. 42 Target Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1107. Crew Chief Chris “Shine” Heroy and the No. 42 Target team will bring Chassis #1107 to Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. This chassis raced previously at Indianapolis and Atlanta, finishing 21st on both occasions.
2012 STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Pts. Pos.
Jamie McMurray
29
0
0
0
3
21.1
20.0
20
Juan Pablo Montoya
29
0
2
0
2
23.3
21.1
21
CAREER STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Jamie McMurray
359
6
8
41
99
19.5
19.4
Juan Pablo Montoya
210
2
9
20
51
18.3
19.8
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
Sterling Heights, 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 15 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
