Pit Strategy Rewards Texaco/Havoline Team with 12th-Place Finish at New Hampshire
LOUDON, N.H. (Sept. 18, 2004)
--- An accident on lap 145 of the 300-lap Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Raceway proved to be beneficial for Jamie McMurray and the Texaco/Havoline Team. McMurray was hit from behind while slowing to avoid spinning cars in front of him, costing him valuable track position. The team was forced to pit many times, while the lead cars stayed out, for repairs and adjustments because the car's handling wasn't up to par.
Because of the stops the No. 42 Dodge had more fuel than most of the other cars, allowing crew chief Donnie Wingo to gamble as the race drew to a close. An extended green flag run required most of the teams to pit with about 50 laps remaining but McMurray was able to continue on.
A late race caution on lap 278 trapped many competitors a lap down. The call to stay out not only regained McMurray and crew the track position lost after the accident, but more importantly allowed them to pit for two fresh tires for the final 16 lap shootout. McMurray was able to fight his way to a 12th-place finish.
&qout;The car wasn't very good today, especially after the accident,&qout; said McMurray. &qout;Donnie (Wingo) made a great call to stay out while the other guys were pitting and it certainly paid off. I never would've thought we would leave here with a 12th-place finish, but I'm proud of this team and the way everyone was able to overcome the accident.&qout;
McMurray took the initial green flag in 20th and was able to race up to 15th before the first of 10 caution periods on lap three. He radioed in that the car felt good and that the team should have a solid day performance wise. As the race pressed on, however, that feeling changed.
The Texaco/Havoline Dodge began to tighten up with each passing lap and McMurray couldn't get the throttle down when he needed. He struggled getting off of the corners, but he was able to maintain position in the top 15 until pitting during the third caution on lap 72. The crew made track bar and air pressure adjustments to help the car turn better in the center of the corner. After the stop McMurray returned to the track in 17th.
The No. 42 slid back to 22nd during the next run, so McMurray took the opportunity to pit again during the next caution on lap 103. He radioed in that the changes actually made the car worse so the crew went the other direction in the adjustments department while taking on only two tires for track position.
McMurray started the next run in ninth and only dropped to 12th before taking the fifth caution on lap 136. Still tight in the center of the corner, he requested air pressure and wedge adjustments to hopefully remedy the situation. The crew performed the service and sent him back out in 19th because many of the other competitors chose to take two tires during the stop.
Soon into the next run McMurray was caught up in the accident on lap 145 and from then on the team played catch up. In the end it all worked out with some crafty pit strategy by Wingo and a nice piece of driving by McMurray in the closing laps.
The 12th-place finish moved McMurray and team up to 11th in points from 13th. Eleventh is the highest the No. 42 team can possibly finish in 2005, and by doing so they can capture a $1 million bonus for the second consecutive season. Twelfth place is just five points behind them heading into the next event at Dover International Speedway on Sept. 25. McMurray's Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates teammates Sterling Marlin and Casey Mears finished 11th and 23rd 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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