Engine Woes End Day Early for McMurray in Michigan - 20 June 2004
BROOKLYN, Mich., (June 20, 2004)
--- The DHL 400 at Michigan International Speedway ended early for Jamie McMurray as the engine expired on lap 114 in the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge. McMurray was credited with a 37th-place finish. The Texaco/Havoline team leaves Michigan 13th in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup points, 125 points out of the NASCAR Top 10.
"It's very disappointing to have that strong of a car and have the day end like that," McMurray said. "This Texaco/Havoline Dodge was definitely one of the best cars out there and I feel like we had a car that could have won the race. I'm not sure what exactly happened with the motor, but I can tell you it was big."
After qualifying 30th, McMurray wasted little time marching his way through the field. By lap 50, the Texaco/Havoline Dodge was running in the seventh position.
During a caution period on lap 88, McMurray headed to pit road and took two tires and fuel. He restarted the race from sixth place.
By the halfway point of the race, McMurray had moved into fourth place as the Texaco/Havoline Dodge continued to click off lap times quicker than the leader.
The strong effort would come to an end on lap 114 as a white cloud of smoke began to billow from underneath the Texaco/Havoline Dodge. McMurray came on the radio and confirmed the diagnosis - a blown motor.
McMurray headed for the garage as the Texaco/Havoline team's day was over.
Next up for McMurray and the team is the winding road course at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. for the running of the Dodge/Save Mart 350 next Sunday. McMurray set a new track record in testing at the track back in April.
View the DHL 400
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