McMurray's Hopes for Daytona 500 Victory Dashed Again
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (February 21, 2005)
--- With less than 20 laps to go at the Daytona 500, it looked as though Jamie McMurray had finally found some luck in his No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge overcoming four years of misfortune and accidents at the famed super speedway. Looking like a contender for the win running in the top-10 for most of the event, his day quickly came to an end on lap 184 when the Texaco/Havoline Dodge was involved in a multi-car wreck claiming 10 competitors in the backstretch melee. Although his crew quickly repaired the Charger's body damage and broken oil cooler, McMurray wound up a disappointing 32nd, 19 laps down to three-time Daytona 500 winner Jeff Gordon.
"Cars just started going everywhere," McMurray said. "You really can't see anything. I saw the No. 16 car going backwards, so I kind of knew that wasn't good. We had a good Dodge today, but we just don't have any luck here. I think this is the fourth race in a row here that I haven't finished. So, it's frustrating. I was just going wherever nobody else was. You've just got to have friends at Daytona. Overall, it was pretty good racing. We had a really good car, but we've just got to finish this deal."
Posting strong speeds throughout much of the week and a strong top-10 comeback during the first Gatorade Duel event, McMurray lined up in 17th position on the starting grid for the 47th running of the Daytona 500.
Quickly moving to the outside after the wave of the green, McMurray fell back several positions as the first of a record-tying 11th caution periods fell over the field on lap 15. As McMurray entered his pit stall for adjustments, four tires and fuel, his crew gave the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge a push back from his pit stall upon exit and McMurray restarted the race in 26th.
Returning to pit road for fresh right side tires on lap 27, McMurray wound up in eighth after the pit stop cycle and teamed up with Sterling Marlin on the inside lane to stay within the top-10. Battling a loose ride and lack of grip, the No. 42 made a stop under green for four tires and fuel on lap 62. Thanks to a speedy stop by his Texaco/Havoline crew, McMurray returned to the track and settled into eighth position in the second pack of front-running competitors.
Thanks to another lightning-fast pit stop by the Texaco/Havoline crew for wedge adjustments, four tires and fuel on lap 86, McMurray was propelled within site of the top-five. Quickly tucking in and passing Scott Riggs on lap 97 to claim the fourth spot, his highest position of the day, McMurray came to pit road under caution with the leaders on lap 105 for additional air adjustments, four tires and fuel.
At the wave of the green, McMurray held the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge wide-open and broke away to round out the top-five lead pack until lap 123 when he lost the draft jockeying for position and was hung out on the outside lane.
Battling significant tire wear, McMurray came down pit road under green on lap 137 for fresh tires and fuel, and again used drafting help from teammate Marlin to clinch the ninth position atop the leader board. With debris on the track, the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline machine returned pit side for additional air adjustments, four tires and fuel and additional fuel on lap 162 to go the distance.
After the restart on lap 165, McMurray made an impressive power move driving three-wide through the middle and gained six spots before the fifth caution flag. Restarting in ninth, the No. 42 was again hung out on the upper groove attempting to avoid an incident and fell back to 24th. The Texaco/Havoline Dodge powered back gaining nearly 10 positions in less than four laps when a multi-car accident on lap 184 claimed a fourth of the field. Although McMurray returned to the track on lap 191, the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline would take only one circuit at the 2.5-mile before retiring to the garage.
Teammate Marlin enjoyed his first top-10 with an eighth place finish, while Casey Mears brought the No. 41 Target Dodge home in 26th.
Next up on the Texaco/Havoline team schedule is the Auto Club 500 on Sunday, Feb. 27 at California Speedway. The second event of the NACAR Nextel Cup Series season will be broadcast live on FOX television and MRN affiliates nationwide at 2 p.m. EST.
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