Talladega Superspeedway Advance Notes
Race: Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 on Sunday, Oct. 7 (2 p.m. ET. ESPN)
Track: Talladega Superspeedway Tri-Oval (2.66 miles)
Location: Talladega, Ala.
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 Talladega: EGR has made 49 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) starts at Talladega. In those starts, EGR drivers have earned six top-5 finishes, 13 top-10 finishes and 17 top-15 finishes. EGR has completed 8,399 laps out of a possible 9,294 laps, or 90.3 percent, and has led 254 laps. Juan Pablo Montoya has EGR’s highest start at Talladega Superspeedway (first, 2010). Jamie McMurray and Juan Pablo Montoya share EGR’s highest finish. (Second, 2008, 2010)
Carrying the Torch: Chevrolet leads all manufacturers in NSCS wins, visiting victory lane 36 times at Talladega Superspeedway.
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.
15 Championships: Congratulations to Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates driver’s Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas for winning the 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series Championship. This is the fourth championship for Pruettt and Rojas and 15th for Chip Ganassi Racing.
JAMIE MCMURRAY AND THE NO. 1 BASS PRO SHOPS 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.
Dover Recap: The “Monster Mile” would only be slowed by caution five times for 28 laps, creating long green flag runs. The No. 1 team hoped to catch a break with pit strategy in the early going when McMurray was one of only eight cars that had not pitted when the first caution came out. However, handling issues and ensuing long green flag runs would show only six cars on the lead lap in the end. The McDonald’s team was posted in 24th-position in the final results.
Previously at Talladega: The start of the race would be delayed close to an hour as early morning storms rolled through the area. Once underway, Jamie McMurray would drop to the back of the field for the first half of the race, hoping to avoid any wrecks that are common with the larger packs on the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway. McMurray would charge toward the front in the second half of the race and kept the Bass Pro Shops Chevy in the lead pack bringing home an 11th-place finish.
McMurray at Talladega: McMurray has made 20 NSCS starts at Talladega, earning one win (2009), five top-five, six top-10 finishes and eight top-15 finishes. He has completed 3,466 laps out of a possible 3,795 or 91.3 percent, and has led 183 laps. McMurray’s average start at Talladega is 20.6 and his average finish is 19.4. His best finish was first in 2009.
McMurray on Superspeedways: McMurray has completed 107 races on super speedways (2 mi. +). In those 107 races, McMurray has earned four wins, 15 top-fives, 28 top-tens, and has led 336 laps.
Drop a Line in: Join us on Oct. 4 at 3 p.m. as NASCAR team haulers will be at the Bass Pro Shops in Leeds, Ala. Bass Pro Shops will host a “Parade of Haulers” as they make their way to Talladega Superspeedway. Come out and get a special look inside the Bass Pro Shops team hauler. Jamie McMurray will also be onsite at 6 p.m. to meet fans and sign autographs. 5000 Bass Pro Boulevard Leeds, AL 35094 (205-702- 7500)
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.
Dover Recap: The 400-lap race at Dover produced only five caution flags for 28 laps on Sunday with only six cars finishing on the lead lap. The fast paced race meant long green flag runs with the longest run exceeding 100 laps before a caution fell. The Target team battled with a finicky handling race car in the midst of trying to play on strategy in order to gain valuable track position throughout the day. The team’s attention turned to fuel mileage toward the end of the race as Montoya conserved as much fuel as possible to make a final charge to the end. When the checkered flag was displayed, the No. 42 Target Chevrolet was credited with a 26th-place finish.
Gillette® Makes an Appearance: This weekend major associate sponsor, Gillette® will be featured on the rear quarter panels of the No. 42 Target car. Gillette® has been at the heart of men’s grooming for over 100 years. Each day, more than 600 million men around the world trust their faces and skin to Gillette’s innovative razors and shaving products. This commitment to giving men the very best is carried into the Gillette® line of personal care products, including deodorant and body wash. All designed for the unique needs of men – helping them to look, feel and be their best every day. Go to www.Gillette.com for more information.
Previously at Talladega: Montoya started the Aaron’s 499 in the 12th position and quickly dropped to the back of the field to avoid any on-track incidents early on. The Target Chevrolet strategically stayed back until just before the halfway point. Montoya joined the lead pack jockeying for position and even leading the field to the start/finish line for three laps. With 45 laps to go, the unpredictable Talladega would live up to its name as Montoya would be caught up in the “Big One”. An accident in front of him left him with nowhere to go and caused significant damage to the Target Chevrolet. The day would end early for the team and result in a 32nd-place finish.
Montoya at Talladega: In his NSCS career, Montoya has made 11 starts at Talladega. Montoya has won two poles at Talladega (2009, 2010) three top-fives and three top-tens. He has completed 2,010 laps out of a possible 2,095 laps, or 95.9 percent, and has led 60 laps. Montoya’s average start at Talladega is 14.2, while his average finish is 18.5
Montoya on Superspeedways: Montoya has completed 63 races on speedways (2 mi. +). In those 63 starts, Montoya has earned six top-fives, 17 top-tens and has led 457 laps.
CHASSIS INFO
No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Allstate Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1009. Crew Chief Kevin “Bono” Manion and the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Allstate team will use Chassis #1009 for Talladega. Chassis #1009 has been used previously this season at Talladega finishing 32nd.
No. 42 Target Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #1204. Crew Chief Chris “Shine” Heroy and the No. 42 Target team will travel to Talladega with Chassis #1204. This chassis will make its season debut this weekend in Talladega.
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
