Ford EcoBoost 400 Advance Notes

Jamie McMurray and No. 1 McDonald’s Team

Phoenix Recap: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) made the second stop of the 2015 season at Phoenix International Raceway, however the “Valley of the Sun” did not live up to its name on race day. The start of the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 was delayed by more than six hours due to rain. The race, scheduled for 312 laps, was shortened because of rain on lap 219. Jamie McMurray was credited with a 15th-place finish.

McMurray at Homestead: McMurray will make his 14th NSCS start at HMS this weekend.  In his previous 13 starts, McMurray has accumulated four top-10 and two top-five finish, including a fifth-place finish last November at the South Florida track.  He has an average starting position of 16.6 and an average finishing position of 16.6.  His best start was from the pole in 2003 and his best result was a third place finish in November of 2008.

Finish Strong: McMurray will look to finish out the season with a strong run at HMS. He has an average finish of 14.6 in the final nine races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup so far, including three top-10 and two top-five finishes. The driver of the No. 1 Chevy has only finished below 20th one time in those nine races when he had an engine issue at Talladega with five laps to go, while running in the fifth position, ultimately finishing 39th. McMurray has the chance to secure his best season-long result in the point standings since finishing 11th at the end of his second full-time season in 2004.

Kyle Larson and No. 42 Target Plaid Team

Phoenix Recap: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) headed west for the final time this year, as Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) played host for the penultimate race of the season. After two near perfect days in the desert, intermittent rain showers on Sunday resulted in a significant delay to the start of the race, as well as an early finish. After showing good speed in each practice session, and earning a sixth-place start for the race, Kyle Larson fought through balance issues during much of the race for a 21st-place finish.

Larson at Homestead: Larson will be making his third NSCS start at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where he has six overall starts across all NASCAR national series. In his NSCS starts, Larson has an average start of 23.5 and average finish of 14.0. In two starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Larson has had success, starting on the front row both times with one pole award and one runner-up finish. In two starts in the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS), Larson has also enjoyed strong runs, with an average start of 5.0 and finishes of second and third. Larson will also be racing in the NXS event this weekend.

Back to Plaid: After a week off, plaid returns on Larson’s No. 42 Target Chevy this weekend for the season finale at Homestead. Fitting for the South Florida track, Larson’s plaid paint scheme this weekend mimics the classic red and white gingham plaid picnic blanket pattern. While the race surely won’t be a picnic, Larson and Team Target look to finish off the season in style.

A Shopping Bullseye: If you have made it to the race only to find out you’ve forgotten to pack a few necessities, there’s no need to worry. For all your last minute needs, and forgotten items, Target has all of the essentials and more. Target is located at 20500 SW 112th Ave., Miami, FL 33189 and can be reached at (305) 235-0839. Call ahead and make sure they have what you need.

TEAM ROSTERS
Max Jones – Team Manager
John Probst – Technical Director
Tony Lunders – Competition Director

No. 1 (NSCS)

Hometown

Hometown

Crew Chief:  Matt McCall

Denver, NC

Rear Tire Changer: Kenyatta Houston

Bronx, NY

Chief Mechanic:  Ryan Bergenty

Plainville, CT

Rear Tire Carrier: Doug Riepe

Danbury, CT

Front Tire Changer:  Daniel Kincaid

Port Byron, NY

Gas Man:  Mike Metcalf

Charlotte, NC

Front Tire Carrier: Ben Fetzer

Fredericksburg, VA

Spotter: Tyler Green

Owensboro, KY

Jack Man:  Shane Wilson

Edgewater, MD

No. 42 (NSCS)

Hometown

Hometown

Crew Chief:  Chris Heroy

Angola, IN

Rear Tire Changer:  Steven Tautges

Abbotsford, WI

Chief Mechanic:  David Bryant

Concord, NC

Rear Tire Carrier:  Gene Cornwell

Rock Hill, SC

Front Tire Changer:  Nick Krizmanich

Kenosha, WI

Gas Man:  Ed Watkins

Richmond, VA

Front Tire Carrier:  Aaron Schields

Goodland, KS

Spotter:  Derek Kneeland

Windham, ME

Jack Man:  Graham Molatch

Harrisburg, NC

ONE TEAM

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 cars in the IndyCar Series, two cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and one Prototype in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. Overall his teams have 18 championships and over 170 victories, including four Indianapolis 500s, a Daytona 500, a Brickyard 400 and six Rolex 24 At Daytonas and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Ganassi boasts state-of-the-art race shop facilities in Indianapolis and Brownsburg, Ind. and Concord, N.C., with a corporate office in Pittsburgh, Pa.

For more information log onto www.chipganassiracing.com