Texaco/Havoline Team's "Chase" Hopes Diminished by Late Race Accident
RICHMOND, Va. (Sept. 10, 2005)
--- After a late race pit stop for two tires and adjustments on lap 345, the stage was set for Jamie McMurray and the Texaco/Havoline Team to make their final attempt at qualifying for the "Chase for the NEXTEL Cup". McMurray needed only to pass Ryan Newman, who was on older tires, but a lapped down competitor chose to end his race prematurely and eliminate the No. 42 team from making a run at the title.
McMurray turned up the wick during the final laps at Richmond International Raceway trying to chase down Newman, and on his way had to lay a bumper to Tony Raines, who was in the way and out of contention. Raines didn't take kindly to the contact and in turn sent McMurray spinning into the fence on lap 363. With only a handful of laps remaining, the team was unable to repair the damage before the completion of the event.
McMurray took the initial green flag for the 400-lap event in 32nd. Before the first caution on lap 31 he had raced up to 26th, but more importantly showed he had a strong race car. During the caution McMurray radioed in that the car was "pretty good" and to just put tires on it. The crew performed the service and sent him back into competition in 25th.
Racing resumed on lap 37 and McMurray's impressive run towards the front ensued. As the race progressed, the Texaco/Havoline Dodge developed minor handling issues, but nothing a few air pressure and track bar adjustments couldn't remedy. McMurray raced into the top 15 by lap 127, which is where he would run for a majority of the remaining laps. From that point on he kept Newman and his "Chase" hopes in sight.
Throughout the event the No. 42 team pitted with the leaders and for the most part followed the same strategy as Newman. Unable to really mount a charge against him, however, they decided they needed to take a gamble as the race drew to a close. That opportunity came when the 10th caution flag flew on lap 345. While the leaders remained on the track, McMurray and crew opted to pit for two tires. The call proved to be the right one because those that elected to practice the same strategy finished in the top 10 while Newman finished 12th. It has been speculated that McMurray would've been able to pass Newman in the closing laps, but Raines made sure no one would ever really know.
"That's why he (Tony Raines) doesn't have a ride," said McMurray after climbing from his wrecked race car. "He was in the way, like he had been all night, and we needed to go. I got into him a little, but there was no need for him to take us out of the race.
"We've had 25 races to get ourselves into 'The Chase', but we just didn't get it done," he continued. "We haven't run as well as we had hoped this season. It's not for lack of hard work from anyone on this team though. Everyone has put forth a tremendous effort and I'm proud them for that. It just wasn't meant to be I guess. We've still got something to shoot for so we'll give it our all these final 10 races and try to pick up the bonus for finishing 11th."
McMurray and crew slipped three positions to 13th in the overall standings with their 40th-place finish at Richmond. They are just 17 points out of 11th with 10 races remaining in the 2005 season. McMurray's Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates teammates Casey Mears, Sterling Marlin and David Stremme finishes 23rd, 41st and 42nd respectively.
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Media Relations Contact Information
Heather Kincel
Chip Ganassi Racing
with Felix Sabates
8500 Westmoreland Drive
Concord, NC 28027
Ph: (704) 662-9642
Fax: (704) 662-9643
Email: Heather Kincel
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