Chicagoland Speedway Advance Notes
Race: GIECO 400 on Sunday, September 16 (2 p.m. ET. ESPN)
Track: Chicagoland Speedway (1.5-mile Oval)
Location: Chicago, Ill.
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Media Contacts at Chicagoland 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”.
EGR at Chicago: EGR has made 28 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) starts at Chicagoland. In those starts, EGR drivers have earned one top-five, seven top-10 finishes and 11 top-15 finishes. EGR has completed 7,023 laps out of a possible 7,485 laps, or 93.8 percent, and has led 90 laps. Jamie McMurray has EGR’s highest start at Chicago (first, 2010). McMurray also has EGR’s highest finish (fifth, 2010).
Carrying the Torch: Chevrolet leads all manufacturers in NSCS wins at Chicagoland Speedway, Chevrolet teams have made it to victory lane eight times.
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 MCDONALD’S 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.
Richmond Recap: After a nearly two hour delayed start to the Federated Auto Parts 400, Jamie McMurray would get off to a quick start in the Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet. McMurray was pleased with the handling on his car until the competition caution on lap 40. After the adjustments on the first pit stop he felt that the car changed quite a lot. The Bass Pro Shops crew continued to make adjustments following a red flag delay that lasted almost an hour. McMurray would eventually bring the No. 1 Chevrolet home with a 22nd-place finish.
Previously at Chicago: EGR’s visit to Chicagoland last year saw Jamie McMurray start the GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway from the 14th position with the McDonald’s Chevrolet. Along with the help of quick work on pit road, McMurray was racing inside the top-10 until lap 163 when the engine on his No. 1 car let go, ending his bid for positive result, and sending him home with a 38th-place result.
McMurray at Chicago: McMurray has made nine NSCS starts at Chicago, earning one top-five, two top-10 finishes and three top-15 finishes. He has completed 2246 laps out of a possible 2406 or 93.3 percent, and has led 73 laps. McMurray’s average start is 22.8 and his average finish is 22.9. His best start was first in July 2010.
McMurray and Speedways: McMurray has completed 170 races on speedways (1-2 mile courses). In those 170 races, McMurray has earned two wins, 20 top-fives, 40 top-10s, and has led 840 laps.
The Mac is Back: After a four race break, McDonald’s rejoins the No. 1 Chevrolet as the primary sponsor. McDonald’s will be the primary sponsor in five more races in 2012. McMurray will also make a special appearance Friday, September 14 at 6:30 pm. McMurray will meet fans and sign autographs at the McDonald’s located at 1421 Riverboat Center Drive, Joliet, IL 60432.
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.
Richmond Recap: Juan Pablo Montoya started the Target Chevrolet in the 24th-position and started to make an early charge to the front after some early adjustments in the opening laps. Montoya advanced to the 13th position when the red flag was displayed for rain. Teams returned to their cars an hour later and as the race resumed Montoya radioed in more handling concerns due to a “green” race track. The team spent the remainder of the evening finding the right balance for the race car and enduring several cautions for rain. When the checkered flag waved the Target Chevrolet was credited with 20th-position.
Previously at Chicago: After a rain-out on Sunday, NASCAR postponed the GEICO 400 until Monday. The No. 42 Chevrolet started in the 16th-position and overcame handling issues. Montoya came back from a lap down and saved on fuel to gain seven positions in the closing laps and cross the finish line in the 14th-position on the lead lap.
Montoya at Chicago: In his NSCS career, Montoya has made five starts at Chicago. He has one top-10, with his highest finish of 10th in July 2009. He has completed 1,335 laps out of a possible 1,335 laps, or 100 percent, and has led one lap. Montoya’s average start at Chicago is 19.4, while his average finish is 14.6.
Montoya on Speedways: Montoya has completed 97 races on speedways (1-2 mile courses). In those 97 starts, Montoya has earned nine top-five, 17 top-10 and has led 336 laps.
Meet and Greet: The NASCAR Foundation has partnered with Project Exploration- a Chicago based non-profit to bring approximately 10 to 15 minority students interested in science to the track for a day in the garage. The No. 42 Crew Chief, Chris Heroy, will meet with these students at the 42 hauler on Saturday and answer questions from the students in regards to the science of the sport.
Aim for the Bullseye: Be sure to stop by Target for all your race-day supplies. Visit Target located at 2370 E Lincoln Hwy, New Lenox, Ill. 60451 (815) 462-6001 on your way to the track this weekend.
CHASSIS INFO
No. 1 McDonald’s Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1112. Crew Chief Kevin “Bono” Manion and the No. 1 McDonald’s team will use Chassis #1112 for Chicago. Chassis #1112 has been used previously this season at Darlington and Indianapolis.
No. 42 Target Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1119. Crew Chief Chris “Shine” Heroy and the No. 42 Target team will travel to Chicago with Chassis #1119. This chassis was used this season at Texas, finishing 16th and Pocono, finishing 17th.
TEAM ROSTERS
Max Jones – Team Manager
John Probst – Technical Director
No. 1 (NSCS)
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)
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
