Samsung/Radio Shack 500 - Jamie McMurray Notes

Jamie McMurray, No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge
Samsung/RadioShack 500 Race Advance
April 4, 2004, FOX Television, 1:00 p.m. CT

Texaco/Havoline Racing Fast Facts:

Chassis: Crew Chief Donnie Wingo and the Texaco/Havoline team are bringing chassis #304 to compete in the Samsung/RadioShack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. McMurray has raced Chassis #304 in four of the first six races in 2004, posting two top-five finishes (Rockingham and Las Vegas). Chassis #304 was raced eight times during the 2003 season and scored two top-five and five top-10 finishes.

McMurray Notes: McMurray heads into Texas sitting 14th in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup points, only 43 points out of the NASCAR Top 10. McMurray battled to an eighth-place finish last weekend in Bristol. McMurray has posted two top-five and three top-10 finishes in the first six races of 2004.

McMurray finished 10th last year at Texas Motor Speedway in his NASCAR NEXTEL Cup debut.

McMurray and Texaco/Havoline will hold a press conference Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. CST in the Media Center at Texas Motor Speedway to announce a special partnership.

The Joplin, Mo. native was named the 2003 NASCAR Raybestos Rookie of the Year

McMurray competed in all 36 races in 2003, scoring five top-five and 13 top-10 finishes, along with one Bud Pole Award. He finished 13th in the final 2003 point standings.

Jamie McMurray Quotes:

Thoughts on Texas: “Texas is one of those tracks that is all about speed and handling. You go so fast around that place that you have to have a strong motor that can pull you down the straight-aways. We’re taking the same car we’ve run in four of the first six races this year and the car that we should have won at least two races with this year if circumstances had gone our way. I feel confident we’ll be able to unload and be quick in the Texaco/Havoline Dodge.”

“Texas is always fun for me because my family comes in for the race since it’s one of the closer places we visit to my hometown of Joplin, Mo. It’s always good to get to spend some time with family.”

“Bristol is behind us. I know a lot of people keep asking about all that happened last Sunday in Bristol, but that’s short track racing and is why they pack the fans into that place. I’m ready and focused on Texas.”

Career Best Start: First at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 16, 2003

Career Best Finish: First at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on October 13, 2002

Last Top-Five Finish: Fourth at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 7, 2004

Last Top-10 Finish: Eighth at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 28, 2004