McMurray Finishes 14th in NEXTEL Open
CONCORD, N.C. (May 21, 2005)
--- Jamie McMurray and the Texaco/Havoline team hoped to race their way in to the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge on Saturday night at Lowe's Motor Speedway, but fell short during the NEXTEL Open. The No. 42 Dodge finished 14th in the transfer race.
"The team definitely made some great adjustments after our first practice," said McMurray. "We didn't test here because we planned on using this race as our test session. The car was better than a 14th-place car, but I made a mistake on pit road that cost us a shot at the win. The important thing is that we learned a lot that we will use next weekend in the Coca-Cola 600."
The NEXTEL Open consisted of two race segments for 45 miles. The first was a 20-lap segment in which McMurray started from the 17th after his qualifying effort on Friday. The first of two caution flags waved during the opening lap. Racing resumed on lap four with the Texaco/Havoline Dodge in 18th. When the second caution waved on lap seven, McMurray reported to crew chief Donnie Wingo that the car was tight off the corners.
Racing resumed on lap 11 with McMurray sitting 13th. He began to maneuver his way through traffic and broke into the top 10 with three laps to go in the first segment. After the 20-lap segment, NASCAR waved the caution flag and McMurray was 11th.
McMurray made a rare mistake when he brought the No. 42 onto pit road before it was open. Wingo had the Texaco/Havoline crew change four tires, make an air pressure adjustment and add a splash of fuel. Because McMurray pitted too soon, he was forced to start the 10-lap shootout from the end of the field.
The green flag waved for the final segment with McMurray in 21st. After three laps the No. 42 Dodge was up to 17th. The deficit was too large for McMurray to overcome in 10 laps, and he and the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge finished the NEXTEL Open in 14th. Brian Vickers advanced into the All-Star Challenge after spinning Mike Bliss out on the final lap. Martin Truex Jr., also advanced via the fan vote.
McMurray's Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates teammates Casey Mears and Sterling Marlin finished sixth and 13th respectively.
The Texaco/Havoline team will race in its backyard again next Sunday for the Coca-Cola 600 which will air live on FOX at 5 p.m. EDT.
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