Ill-Handling Racecar Plagues McMurray and Texaco/Havoline Team at Phoenix
AVONDALE, Ariz. (Nov. 13, 2005)
--- Jamie McMurray and the Texaco/Havoline team threw an armload of changes at the No. 42 Dodge throughout the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Unfortunately, none of them made a significant difference as McMurray fought the car's handling for 312-laps en route to an 18th-place finish at the 1-mile raceway.
McMurray started the event in 28th, and although the car was primarily loose in the opening laps, he was able to race up to 23rd before the first of nine caution periods on lap 26. While circling the track at a reduced speed, McMurray radioed in to crew chief Donnie Wingo that the car was loose, especially entering the corner under braking. He requested the removal of a spring rubber from the left rear and a wedge adjustment to potentially counteract the problem. The crew performed a four tire and fuel service stop and sent the Texaco/Havoline Dodge back on track in 25th.
Racing continued on lap 30 and soon into the run McMurray commented that the car was better, but needed more of the same adjustments. Just prior to the second caution on lap 83, he stated that the car was tight in the center of the corner, but snapping loose on exit because he had the wheel turned so much. He pitted for wholesale changes including four tires, fuel, wedge, track bar and air pressure adjustments and returned to competition in 24th.
McMurray continued to battle much of the same in the handling department as the race pressed on. The adjustments would help slightly, but overall the car was simply loose entering the corner, tight in the center and loose on exit for the remainder of the event. The crew continued to adjust on the chassis with each pit stop, but their efforts were not rewarded as hoped.
The Texaco/Havoline team had a scare when the sixth caution flag flew on lap 208. While checking up to avoid spinning cars just in front of him, McMurray was tagged from behind and sent spinning down the front stretch. Some crafty driving helped him avoid making contact with the retaining walls, but two blown right side tires forced him onto pit road for some minor cosmetic repair. After a few stops to overlook everything properly, the crew returned him to the track without losing a lap.
McMurray took the next green on lap 217 in 21st. Although the team was never quite able to put a finger on the handling, he was able to race up to 18th before taking the checkered flag. It certainly wasn't a banner day for the Texaco/Havoline team, but their perseverance afforded them a solid finish and kept them in contention for the $1 million bonus for finishing the season 11th in the final standings.
"Man, that was tough," said McMurray after emerging from his car. "We just couldn't get the handle on the car today, but it wasn't for a lack of trying. We made all kinds of adjustments on pit road, but nothing seemed to make that big of a difference. The car got better at times, but not to where we could compete with the top-10 running cars.
"The guys did a great job on pit road today, especially with all of the changes we were making. We maintained position during each round of stops and that's pretty impressive considering all that we were doing. We lost a little in the race to finish 11th in the points, but we've still got a shot at it heading into Homestead. We'll be giving it all we have, and hopefully we'll come out on top."
The No. 42 team dropped one position to 12th in the standings at the conclusion of the Phoenix race, but they are only 10 points out of 11th heading into the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 20. McMurray's Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates teammates Casey Mears and Sterling Marlin finished 22nd and 34th respectively.
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