McMurray Salvages 15th-Place Finish at the Monster Mile - 06 June 2004
DOVER, Del., (June 6, 2004)
--- The Monster Mile lived up to its reputation today as Jamie McMurray and the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline team were able to salvage a 15th-place finish in the MBNA America 400 at Dover International Speedway. McMurray overcame numerous obstacles en route to the top-15 finish. The finish moved McMurray up to 11th place in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup points, 64 points out of the NASCAR Top 10 and 431 points behind leader Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
"That was definitely a very interesting race," McMurray said. "I can't remember that many weird things happening in one race in a long time. I hate that me and Casey (Mears) got together early in the race. It definitely was not intentional. Overall, to see what our Texaco/Havoline Dodge looks like after the race, I'm happy to get a 15th-place finish."
After qualifying ninth, McMurray's obstacle course began on lap 12 when he made contact with his teammate Casey Mears coming out of turn four. While McMurray was able to drive away with minimal left rear quarter panel damage, Mears made contact with the inside retaining wall.
During a NASCAR thrown caution on lap 30, McMurray headed for pit road and was serviced with four tires and fuel as air pressure and chassis adjustments were made to the Texaco/Havoline Dodge. He exited pit road in 18th place.
McMurray's second obstacle came on lap 38 when Elliott Sadler spun. Quick braking by McMurray allowed the Texaco/Havoline Dodge to barely miss hitting Sadler. When McMurray slammed on the brakes, he flat spotted his tires, forcing him down pit road for fresh Goodyear Eagles. He restarted the race from 35th-place.
By lap 83, McMurray went a lap down to the leaders as he fought the handling on his Texaco/Havoline Dodge.
The Texaco/Havoline team would make numerous chassis adjustments with each ensuing caution period. By lap 320, McMurray was running 22nd, two laps down to the leader.
The obstacle course continued for the Texaco/Havoline team on lap 346 when McMurray was involved in a multi-car wreck. As cars scattered about the racetrack, McMurray's No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge became a boomerang as he bounced off several cars before coming to a rest. McMurray was able to drive his car back to pit road with extensive front and rear-end damage. While the race was red flagged to allow safety crews to clean the track, the Texaco/Havoline team began to make assessments on all the repairs that were needed to get the car back on the track.
During the caution laps that followed, McMurray made several pit stops to allow the team to make the needed repairs. When the race was restarted on lap 354, McMurray rejoined the competition in 18th place.
With substantial damage to his Texaco/Havoline Dodge, McMurray spent the remainder of the race logging laps in hopes of gaining positions as the attrition rate continued to rise.
McMurray's hopes became a reality when another multi-car wreck occurred on lap 383. While McMurray was able to scathe through the melee, the same could not be said for his teammates Casey Mears and Sterling Marlin.
On the final 10-lap restart, McMurray found himself sitting in 15th place. He was able to maintain that position when the checkered flag waved. McMurray finished the MBNA America 400 in 15th place, three laps behind race winner Mark Martin.
Next up for McMurray and the Texaco/Havoline team is the tricky, triangular Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa. for the running of the Pocono 500 next Sunday.
View the MBNA America 400
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Media Relations Contact Information
Jason Wise
Chip Ganassi Racing
with Felix Sabates
114 Meadow Hill Circle
Mooresville, NC 28117
Ph: (704) 662-9642,
ext. 1125
Fax: (704) 662-9643
Cell: (704) 500-6121
Email: Jason Wise
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