Bristol Motor Speedway Advance Notes
Race: Food City 500 on Sunday, March 17
Track: Bristol Motor Speedway (.533 mile oval)
Location: Bristol, Tenn.
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 2013 season by following “@EGRTeams”.
CGRT Mobile App: Chip Ganassi Racing Teams (CGRT) and SapientNitro SM launched one of the first mobile applications for the high-velocity world of racing. This new 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.
Number “Won”: In the 104 NSCS races held at Bristol Motor Speedway, a Chevrolet has sat on the pole 36 times, and Chevrolet is the winningest manufacturer with 42 victories at the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile”.
EGR at Bristol: Since 2001, EGR drivers have accumulated five top-five and 17 top-10 finishes at Bristol Motor Speedway. EGR drivers have led 318 laps at the half-mile oval.
Jamie McMurray and No.1 Cessna Team
Las Vegas Recap: McMurray charged from the back of the field all the way to the lead in just 50 laps and kept up the strong performance by ultimately scoring a solid 13th-place finish. McMurray was impressive in the McDonald’s Chevrolet SS at the start of the race by digging through the field, passing more than 20 cars to secure a spot in the top-20 in just 15 laps. The impressive start gave McMurray the momentum he needed to break into the top-10 by lap 45 and even take over the lead for a brief time. The McDonald’s team executed flawless pit stops to help the overall balance of the car, allowing McMurray to run a strong race in the top-15 and ultimately bring home a 13th-place finish.
Taking Flight: Cessna will make their primary sponsorship debut on the No. 1 Chevy SS at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend. This will be the first of multiple races for Cessna and the No. 1 team in 2013. Cessna announced a multiyear Partnership with Chip Ganassi Racing Teams (CGRT) in January. Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron, Inc. company, will sponsor the cars in all three series in which CGRT competes. Sharing assets with sister Textron companies Bell Helicopter and E-Z-GO golf carts which will come later throughout the season.
McMurray at Bristol: This weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway marks McMurray’s 21st start at the half-mile oval. In his previous 20 starts McMurray has accumulated three top-five and eight top-10 finishes and has led 21 laps. He has completed 9,753 of 10,013 (97.4%) laps at the track and has zero DNF’s (did not finish). McMurray’s best start at the track is third (2007) and his best finish is also third (2003, 2010). His average starting position is 16.9 and his average finishing position is 17.1. The No.1 team looks to improve on their finish from last spring race at Bristol, where McMurray finished seventh.
Short Stats: In 120 short track starts, McMurray has one pole, eight top-fives and 32 top-10 finishes. He has completed 46,033 out of 48,343 laps (95.2%) and has led 349. McMurray has an average start and finish of 18.5 and 19.9, respectively.
Luck of the Irish: Sunday is St. Patrick’s Day, Don’t forget to stop by McDonald’s on the way to or from Bristol to get a Minty McCafe Shamrock Shake. McDonald’s has four locations conveniently located within miles of the track. Locations can be found at: 2260 Hwy 394, Blountville, TN 37617; 220 Century Blvd., Bristol, TN 37618; 214 Carolina Pottery Blvd, Bristol, Tenn. 37617; 5955 Hwy. 11E Piney Flatts, Tenn. 37686.
Juan Pablo Montoya and No. 42 Target Team
Las Vegas Recap: The No. 42 team sported some new colors over the weekend as Target partner AXE APOLLO was predominately displayed on the Chevy SS where its signature Target red was changed to a black AXE APOLLO paint scheme. On Saturday an engine change was made on the 42 so the team would start at the rear of the field for the Kobalt Tools 400. Montoya gained 15 spots in the opening laps and was running mid-pack during the long, green flag runs. Multiple stops were made for handling adjustments as Montoya tried to gain track position but only three caution flags waved which hindered his chances of making a run to the front. The AXE APOLLO Chevy would eventually be credited with a 19th-place finish.
Montoya at Bristol: Montoya looks to make his 13th start this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. In his 12 starts at the half-mile oval he has three top-10 finishes, zero DNF’s and has completed 5,996 of 6,013 laps (99.7%). He has an average starting and finishing position of 20.7 and 17.8, respectively. Montoya’s best start of second came in 2007 and his best finish of seventh came in 2010.
Short Stats: Montoya has 36 starts on NASCAR’s short tracks with one pole, two top-fives and nine top-10 finishes. He has led 103 and his average start and finish are 19.3 and 18.0, respectively.
“Top” Notch: In the 12 races Montoya has competed in at Bristol Motor Speedway he has run 3,051 laps in the top-15, which is 50.7% of the laps he has run at the track.
Grab Some Dew: Target partner, Mountain Dew will be featured as a major associate partner this weekend on the No. 42. Mountain Dew was formulated in 1940 and was acquired by the Pepsi -Cola company in 1964. It was at that point that the Dew grew popularity and was produced across the US and Canada. There are different varieties of Dew such as Caffeine-Free, Caffeine-Free Diet, Code Red, Diet Code Red, Livewire, Baja Blast, Voltage, Throwback, White Out, Game Fuel Cherry-Citrus, Passion fruit Frenzy (New Zealand only),and Grape (Japan only) As of 2009, Mountain Dew represented a 6.7 percent share of the overall carbonated soft drinks market in the U.S
Hit the Bullseye: Need something in a pinch? No need to worry – Target has all of the essentials and more. Target is just 14 miles from Bristol Motor Speedway, located at 16600 Highlands Center Blvd., Bristol, Va. 24202. Call ahead and make sure they have what you need at 276-642-6300.
