Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Advance Notes
RACE SETUP
Race: Bank of America 500 – 334 laps/501 miles #BOA500
Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway (1.5-mile quad-oval) @CLTMotorSpdwy
Drivers: @jamiemcmurray, @KyleLarsonRacin
Cars: No. 1 McDonald’s Monopoly Chevrolet SS, No. 42 Target Chevrolet SS
Television: Saturday, October 11 ABC (7:30 p.m. ET)
Social: @CGRTeams #TeamTarget #McDMonopoly
I BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW THAT
McDonald’s Monopoly: Jamie McMurray recently filmed several television commercials to promote the Monopoly game at McDonald’s that started in-stores on Sept. 30 and runs through Oct. 27th. In addition to McMurray, the commercials feature other prominent McDonald’s athletes including Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks), Alex Morgan (US Women’s National Soccer Team) and probably the most recognized athlete on the planet, LeBron James.
On a Roll: With an average finish of 3.25 over the last four races, Kyle Larson has recently added to his impressive rookie season in a big way. Larson currently has eight top-five finishes, which is the most for a Ganassi driver since teammate Jamie McMurray scored nine top-fives during his three-win season in 2010. Larson also has the most top-10 finishes (15) for a Ganassi driver since Juan Pablo Montoya finished the 2009 season with 18.
#TEAMGANASSI
Follow CGR on Twitter: Be sure to follow CGR on the official team Twitter page. Find in-race updates and weekly news on the No.1 and No.42 teams throughout the 2014 season by following @CGRTeams. You can also connect in the social conversation throughout the season with team hashtags – #TeamTarget #driveCessna #TeamMcD #TeamGanassi
TWEETS OF THE WEEK
@kylelarsonracing: “I don’t do well with mornings so heading up to Martinsville tonight for testing next 2 days. Hope I figure out how to get around there…”
@kylelarsonracing: “Another good run for our @Target team. Me and the 22 were so even it was tough to gain. Still happy with our run. Wins are at our fingertips”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Jamie McMurray and No. 1 McDonald’s Monopoly Team
Kansas Recap: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) traveled to America’s Heartland and the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway for the first race of the Contender Round in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Looking to play the role of spoiler among the 12 remaining teams competing for the Chase, Jamie McMurray and the No. 1 team had a strong car throughout the Hollywood Casino 400. McMurray’s strong run was dampened in the final 10 laps, while running in the top-five, when he cut a left front tire and would have to settle with a 25th place finish.
McMurray at Charlotte: McMurray has made 24 previous starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS). His success at CMS includes two wins in the Bank of America 500 (2002, 2010) including his first career victory in just his second series start. McMurray also captured the $1 million prize in this year’s Sprint All-Star Race in May at CMS. In total he has completed 8,040 of 8,528 (94.4%) laps of competition and has led 274 of those laps. His best start of fifth came in 2002 and he has nine top-10 and six top-five finishes with an average start of 22.8 and average finish of 17.2.
Its Back!!: The No. 1 Chevy SS will feature the Monopoly Game at McDonald’s paint scheme this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway to promote the in-store game that runs from Sept. 30 thru Oct. 27. Fans have more chances to win over 1 million online prizes, from Fathead, My Coke Rewards®, Red Box Spotify, Shell and McDonald’s®, plus you can enter the Online Sweepstakes for a chance at $50K.
Kyle Larson and No. 42 Target Team
Kansas Recap: For the fourth weekend in a row, Kyle Larson impressed with another strong run in the Target Chevrolet. Although Larson qualified near the middle of the field in 18th place, he wasted no time working his way to the front once the green flag dropped, and his effort earned him his second runner-up finish in three races.
Larson at Charlotte: Larson has raced at Charlotte Motor Speedway on five previous occasions; twice in the NSCS and three times in the NNS. Larson has completed every lap of his three NNS starts, and has an average start of 9.7 and finish of 6, along with one win that came in the spring race. In two NSCS starts, Larson has completed 87.9% of the race laps and his highest finish is 18th.
Happy Anniversary!: This time last year, Kyle Larson was getting ready to take his maiden ride in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car. After being announced at Atlanta Motor Speedway during the Labor Day race weekend that he would take over driving duties of the No. 42 Target Chevrolet for the 2014 NSCS season, Larson made his first NSCS start at CMS driving the No. 51 Target Chevrolet. Larson started the race in 21st position, and raced as high as 12th before engine issues on Lap 247 sent him to the garage for the day.
Granting a Wish: This weekend at CMS, Larson will be hosting a special guest on Friday, in conjunction with Nature Made, who will serve as the primary partner as he races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. As part of Nature Made’s collaboration with Make-A-Wish and CGRT, Larson will be hosting wish kid Christian and his family at the track on Friday. In addition to hosting Christian at the track, he and his family will also get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Ganassi race shop. Christian’s wish, which is to attend the upcoming Daytona 500, will be sponsored by Nature Made.
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 6150 Bayfield Parkway, Concord, NC 28027, and can be reached at (704) 262-6080. Call ahead and make sure they have what you need.
ONE TEAM, SEVEN CARS, THREE SERIES
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 Verizon IndyCar Series, two cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and one Prototype in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. Overall his teams have 17 championships and more than 160 victories, including four Indianapolis 500s, a Daytona 500, a Brickyard 400, five 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
What comes first? A baby or a wedding? Do the right thing Larson, give the kid a name.