McMurray's March in Richmond Ends Early - 15 May 2004
RICHMOND, Va., (May 15, 2004)
--- The city of Richmond has a history of being the center of fierce battles. Tonight, the battle ground became Richmond International Raceway for the running of the Chevy American Revolution 400. NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Jamie McMurray entered the battle with the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge looking to be victorious. While he was able to put on a show by advancing 35 positions during the race, McMurray ultimately was forced to leave the heated competition on lap 202 as the result of an accident. McMurray was credited with a 38th-place finish.
After qualifying 37th, McMurray was running in the second position on lap 202 when Joe Nemechek made contact with the Texaco/Havoline Dodge entering the turn. As both cars went spinning, McMurray's Dodge made heavy impact with outside retaining wall, causing extensive rear-end damage, and ending the night for the Texaco/Havoline team.
"I was going to let him (Joe Nemechek) go and he just got turned around," McMurray said. "He's not that kind of guy. It knocked the rear clip out so far, our night is over. I don't know if he (Nemechek) got loose underneath me. I knew he was there. My spotter said he was there, and I could see him. He was a little bit quicker than I was, and I was going to let him go. We just got turned around. It was just a tough deal, but we had a good car. We just haven't had any good luck this week."
In the early stages of the race McMurray radioed his crew that the Texaco/Havoline Dodge was "tight off and loose in the middle." By lap 88, McMurray had rocketed into the 15th position.
During a caution period on lap 102, McMurray headed for pit road and was serviced with four tires and fuel while an air pressure adjustment was made to correct the handling condition. McMurray exited pit road in the 15th position.
Over the next 100 laps, McMurray continued his march through the field and found himself running in the second position on lap 170 when the leaders pitted during a caution flag. In an effort to gain track position, the Texaco/Havoline team elected to stay out.
Now in the lead pack, McMurray was maintaining second place when Nemechek made contact with the Texaco/Havoline Dodge on lap 202, sending both machines up the track and into the outside wall. While Nemechek was able to make repairs and continue in the race, the night was over for McMurray and the Texaco/Havoline team.
McMurray's 38th-place finish dropped him one position in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup points. The Texaco/Havoline team leaves Richmond 13th in points, 128 points out of the NASCAR Top 10.
Next up is the All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway this Saturday night in Charlotte, N.C. The NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge is a non points event for all drivers who have won races over the past year. The Texaco/Havoline team will attempt to qualify for the event by advancing from the All-Star Challenge Open race held before the start of the All-Star Challenge.
View the Chevy American Revolution 400
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