Late Race Accident Destroys McMurray's Chances for a Top-10 Finish at Dover
DOVER, Del. (Sept. 25, 2005)
--- Had it not been for contact made with non other than Tony Raines on lap 292, Jamie McMurray and the Texaco/Havoline team may very well have brought home their ninth top-10 finish of the 2005 season. McMurray either ran in the top-10 or lingered just outside of it for a majority of the race, battling a primarily loose race car. The handling appeared to be coming around after each pit stop for adjustments, but the No. 42 team's hopes of a strong finish at Dover International Speedway hit the wall with just over 100 laps remaining.
McMurray started the MBNA RacePoints 400 in 19th after a solid qualifying effort on Friday afternoon. By lap five of the 400-lap event he radioed in that the car was "too tight" so he and crew chief Donnie Wingo opted to pit during the first of 11 caution periods for four tires with air pressure adjustments. The crew performed the service and sent McMurray out in 26th.
The Texaco/Havoline Dodge settled into the race track during the next green flag run as McMurray raced up to 11th place before the second caution period on lap 68. Still fighting a slightly tight race car, he entered pit road for another round of tires, fuel and air pressure adjustments. The over-the-wall crew clicked off a lightning fast stop and sent McMurray back into competition in ninth place.
Racing resumed on lap 73 and on lap 80 McMurray radioed to Wingo that the car had become extremely loose. Still he was able to maintain position in the top 10 until pitting on lap 107. The crew reversed some of the changes made during the prior stop, inching closer to zeroing in on the right balance.
McMurray took the next green flag on lap 112 in 11th. During the extended green flag run McMurray dropped back as far as 13th, but after about 40 laps the car's handling really came in and he was able to race up to 10th before the fourth caution on lap 175.
"That's the best the car has been all day," said McMurray while circling the track under yellow flag conditions. "It's taking about 40 or so laps for the car to come around. Put four tires on and no changes."
The field was unleashed once again on lap 180 with McMurray holding down the 10th position. He moved into eighth just a few laps later but shortly thereafter began sliding back, commenting that the car was really loose on corner entry.
The crew continued to make air pressure adjustments during their stops and as the race pressed on the car seemed to be improving in the handling department. While running in 12th on lap 281, McMurray opted to pit one more time during the seventh caution in an attempt to get the No. 42 Dodge hooked up for the final 100 laps of the event. He returned to the track in 17th and on lap 292 made contact with Raines in Turns 3 & 4. McMurray made significant contact with the outside retaining wall and from that point on the team's strategy was to salvage the best possible finish. They would finish the race 29th, three laps down to the leader.
"I'm not sure what happened with (Tony) Raines," said McMurray. "I don't know if I came down on him or if he came up into us. I guess I just need to see the replay. It's unfortunate because we had a pretty good car and I think we could've gotten a top 10 out of it. Things really haven't been going our way lately. Hopefully we can get it turned around next week with a good run at Talladega."
McMurray and the Texaco/Havoline Team dropped two positions to 13th in the overall standings. They are now 47 points out of 11th heading into the next event at Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 2nd. McMurray's Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates teammates Casey Mears and Sterling Marlin finished 10th and 41st respectively.
View the MBNA RacePoints 400
|
 Return to top
| |
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
|
