Martinsville Speedway Advance Notes
Race: Tums Fast Relief 500 (1:30 p.m. EST. ESPN)
Track: Martinsville Speedway (0.526 Mile Oval)
Location: Martinsville, Va.
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Media Contacts at Martinsville Speedway
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”.
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.
Gear Heads Golf Tournament: A group of individuals from EGR got together to coordinate a golf tournament this Thursday, Oct. 25 at Mallard Head Golf Course, Mooresville, NC for two of their teammates. The golf tournament will benefit, Sammy Gonzalez and Monty Grice who have recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. All proceeds will benefit both families.
Carrying the Torch: Of the 126 NSCS races held at Martinsville Speedway, Chevrolet has amassed 49 total victories, which is 22 more wins than the next closest manufacturer.
EGR at Martinsville: Dating back to 2001, EGR drivers have accumulated five top-five, 15 top-10’s and 23 top-15 finishes at Martinsville Speedway. EGR drivers have also led 219 laps at the half-mile oval.
JAMIE MCMURRAY AND THE NO. 1 MCDONALD’S TEAM
Kansas Recap: The No.1 team started the race strong, advancing several positions in the early going. However the resolve of the Bass Pro Shops team would be tested as McMurray reported a vibration on the car and was forced to pit early. In the process, he lost two laps as the caution came out just five laps after pitting. The Bass Pro Shops team took advantage of solid pit work over 14 cautions, getting back on the lead lap en route to a15th-place finish.
McMurray at Martinsville: McMurray has made 19 starts at Martinsville Speedway. In those 19 starts, the driver of the No. 1 Chevrolet has accumulated one top-five, 10 top-10’s and 11 top-15’s. McMurray has completed 8,878 out of a possible 9,534 laps (93%) with a total of 117 laps led. He has an average start and finish position of 14.8 and 16.9, respectively. His best start at the half-mile oval was first in 2011.
Pass and Go: During his last visit to Martinsville in April, McMurray made 61 green flag passes.
Short Track Stats: At short tracks (tracks less than one mile) McMurray has 59 starts, collecting one pole, four top-five and 21 top-10 finishes. McMurray has led a total of 157 laps at short-tracks, including 117 laps led at Martinsville Speedway.
Create your own Helmet: This past June at the annual Chip Ganassi Racing Teams (CGRT) Motorsports Summit all partners in attendance were given a “create your own helmet” project. Each partner had the opportunity to design a mini replica race helmet as they would like to see a driver wear. No guidelines were given, simply markers and a creative mind to think outside the box for each design. As a surprise to the partners, two helmets were selected by team owner Chip Ganassi and guest speaker Joe Montana to be produced and worn by a CGRT driver. This weekend for the Tums Fast Relief 500, No. 1 driver Jamie McMurray will sport a helmet designed by Jeff Henderson a Ganassi partner with Banana Boat. After, McMurray wears the helmet at Martinsville Speedway, it will be signed and presented to Henderson.
The Mac is back: The McDonald’s Arches will be back on the hood of the No. 1 Chevrolet at Martinsville Speedway. Be sure to make a pit stop at the local McDonald’s on your way to the races. McDonald’s is located at 2756 Greensboro Road Martinsville, Va. (276) 632-7488
JUAN PABLO MONTOYA AND NO. 42 TARGET TEAM
Kansas Recap: The No. 42 Chevy sported some new colors over the weekend as Taylor Swift’s album cover, “Red”, was prominently displayed on the car. Montoya and the Taylor Swift/Target Chevy qualified in the 24th position and were having a solid run until a flat tire occurred on lap 150. The tire forced the No. 42 to pit make an unexpected stop and fall one lap down. The team battled back and played on strategy to regain their lap back shortly after. Montoya maintained track position and avoided the numerous on-track incidents to finish the day in the 16th position.
Montoya at Martinsville: Montoya looks to make his 12th start this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. In his previous 11 starts he has led 46 laps and earned two top-five and three top-10 finishes. Montoya has completed 5,418 out of a possible 5,534 (97.9%). His best start was fifth in 2010; and he earned his best finish of third in 2009. The driver of the No. 42 Chevrolet has an average starting position of 22.2 and an average finishing position of 15.3 at the half-mile oval.
Pass ‘Em All: During the last race at Martinsville Speedway in April, Montoya completed 64 green flag passes.
Short Track Stats: In his NSCS career, Montoya has competed in 35 short-track races. In those events, he has accumulated one pole, two top-five, nine top-10 finishes, and has led 103 laps at track.
Hit the Bullseye: On the way to Martinsville Speedway this weekend, stop by Target for all of your race-day essentials. Target is located near the Speedway at 155 Holt Garrison Pkwy, Dannville, Va. Call ahead and make sure they have what you need at 434-799-9950.
CHASSIS INFO
No. 1 McDonald’s (NSCS): Chassis #1222. Crew Chief Kevin “Bono” Manion and the No. 1 McDonald’s team will bring Chassis #1222 to Martinsville Speedway this weekend. This chassis will make its race debut this weekend at Martinsville Speedway.
No. 42 Target Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1110. Crew Chief Chris “Shine” Heroy and the No. 42 Target team will bring Chassis #1110 to Martinsville Speedway this weekend. This chassis has seen several tests and raced once this season at Loudon, finishing 22nd.
2012 STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Pts. Pos.
Jamie McMurray
32
0
0
0
3
21.5
20.2
20
Juan Pablo Montoya
32
0
2
0
2
23.4
21.4
22
CAREER STATS
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Starts
Wins
Poles
Top 5s
Top 10s
Ave Start
Ave Finish
Jamie McMurray
362
6
8
41
99
19.5
19.4
Juan Pablo Montoya
213
2
9
20
51
18.4
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: Kenyatta Houston
Bronx, NY
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
