McMurray Survives Martinsville Mayhem
MARTINSVILLE, Va. (Oct. 23, 2005)
--- Jamie McMurray and the Texaco/Havoline team conquered a race typically known for heavy attrition due to multiple cautions and equipment strain. The Advance Auto Parts 500 at Martinsville Speedway followed tradition by producing 19 cautions for a total of 113 of the scheduled 500 laps. With a strong race car, flawless pit stops, solid pit strategy and a nice piece of driving, however, McMurray and crew made it through practically unscathed to finish seventh and bring home their ninth top-10 of the season.
McMurray qualified 30th, which isn't ideal for a track that has primarily only one racing groove, making it extremely hard to pass. That posed no problem for McMurray though, as he was able to motor up to the 20th position prior to taking the first caution on lap 45. Although he was experiencing a loose condition entering the corners and tight in the center, the driver opted for no changes during the first pit stop because he was getting excellent forward bite (acceleration) on corner exit. The Texaco/Havoline over-the-wall crew bolted on four fresh Goodyear tires, filled the tank full of fuel and sent the No. 42 back into competition in 18th.
McMurray continued his march to the front on lap 51 and cracked into the top 15 before taking the second caution flag on lap 83. At this point crew chief Donnie Wingo called for two tires only to gain valuable track position. The strategy worked because McMurray returned to the track in the sixth spot.
The field was unleashed once again on lap 90 and although he was running on older left side tires, McMurray was able to quickly move up to fifth. He eventually slid back to seventh before the next caution because the newer tires began to prevail. He radioed in that the car had become tight by taking only two tires so the crew performed a four tire service stop during the fourth caution period on lap 122.
McMurray took the next green flag on lap 132 in 11th because others chose to take the two tire route. He had no problem regaining the lost position, however, and was back up to sixth before taking another caution on lap 164. A quick pit stop by the crew put him out in fifth and just a few laps into the next run he overtook fourth position.
The second half of the race was basically status quo for McMurray and crew. He circled the track in the top-five for much of the remainder of the event, contending with a slight tight condition. The crew made minor adjustments with each passing pit stop to overcome the situation, but they could never quite get a handle on it. Still, McMurray was able to hold off any challenges from behind.
A pit stop for four tires and fuel on lap 341 dropped McMurray and crew from fifth position to 10th because some of the slower competitors made two tire stops. McMurray spent the rest of the event battling to regain track position with the hindrance of lapped cars throughout. There were six cautions during the remaining 154 laps, keeping the field practically bunched up until the end and the lapped cars in the preferred line. McMurray fought hard, however, and made his way back up to seventh before taking the checkered flag.
"Today was just a great race for us," said McMurray after climbing from his Texaco/Havoline Dodge. "This run reminded me a lot of the final races of last year. Everything was going right for us then and everything went right today. We've had two strong runs the last couple of weeks and although we didn't get the results in Charlotte, we certainly got them today. This is a huge momentum builder heading into next week and the final four races of the season.
"Donnie (Wingo) and the guys did an incredible job on pit road today and I couldn't be prouder of everyone's efforts. Track position is key here and they kept me in the top 10 all day. It's nice to finally bring one home because luck hasn't been on our side recently. I'm really looking forward to heading to Atlanta."
McMurray and crew moved up three positions to 11th in the overall standings with their strong performance at Martinsville. They are 18 points ahead of 12th place and in position for the season-ending $1 million bonus heading into the next event at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Oct. 30. McMurray's Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates teammates Casey Mears and Sterling Marlin finished 22nd and 38th respectively.
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