$1 Million Goes Unclaimed in Phoenix
AVONDALE, Ariz., (November 7, 2004)
--- Jamie McMurray and the Texaco/Havoline team's bid to win $1 million for Clarence Moody came up short as McMurray experienced a roller coaster of a day at Phoenix International Raceway in the running of the Checker Auto Parts 500. After running in the top 10 in the closing laps, McMurray was caught up in a wreck and brought the damaged No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge home in 24th place.
"Obviously, I'm disappointed with our finish. While we didn't have a car capable of winning today, Donnie (Wingo) and all the guys on this team never gave up and we kept making changes with each pit stop. There at the end we were about an eighth-place car. I'm not sure what happened there at the end with Dale Jarrett. I guess he didn't know I was on the inside and we made contact and my car spun up the track and backed into the wall. It was just one of those days. I hate that we weren't able to win the $1 million for Clarence. That would have been pretty cool."
Moody, a 76-year-old native of Mustang, Okla., had a shot at winning $1 million if McMurray had won the race. Moody had drawn the number 10 for McMurray's qualifying position, which is where McMurray wound up starting the race from. Moody was one of three grand prize winners as guests of Havoline's Birthday Bash promotion.
After qualifying 10th, McMurray radioed the crew early in the race that his car was really tight from the center off. During a caution period on lap 76, McMurray headed for pit road to take four tires and fuel while an air pressure adjustment was made to free the car up. He exited pit road in eighth place.
McMurray was maintaining the ninth position by lap 127 when he went for a spin coming off turn four. Kurt Busch made slight contact with the rear of McMurray's Texaco/Havoline Dodge, sending McMurray spinning down the front stretch. There was no damage to McMurray's car and after pitting for four tires, he restarted the race in 25th place.
McMurray continued to fight a tight condition on his car by lap 212 as the Texaco/Havoline Dodge was running in 15th place.
During another caution period on lap 227, McMurray once again headed for pit road and was serviced with four tires and fuel while another round of chassis adjustments were made. He left pit road in ninth place.
McMurray's day took another spin on lap 297 when Jarrett made contact with McMurray's car heading into the turn. The contact sent McMurray's Dodge sliding up the track and into the outside wall. McMurray's car suffered extensive rear-end damage as he brought the Texaco/Havoline Dodge down pit road. After repairs were made, McMurray re-entered the race in 26th place.
When the checkered flag waved a few laps later, McMurray was able to bring home the battered Texaco/Havoline Dodge in 24th place.
McMurray leaves Phoenix maintaining 11th place in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup points with two races remaining. He holds a 215-point lead over Jarrett.
Next up for the Texaco/Havoline team is Darlington Raceway for the running of the Mountain Dew Southern 500 this Sunday.
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