Jamie McMurray, No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge
NEXTEL Open/All-Star Challenge – Lowe’s Motor Speedway Advance
Texaco/Havoline Racing Fast Facts:
Championship Standings: Jamie McMurray and the Texaco/Havoline team remain in the NASCAR Top 10 for a third consecutive week following a solid top-10 finish at Richmond International Raceway. McMurray currently sits ninth in the standings, just 211 points behind the leader. Following the Richmond race in 2004, McMurray was 13th in points and went on to finish 11th in the final standings.
2005 Season: McMurray is off to a solid start to the 2005 season. He has already amassed three top-five and five top-10 finishes in 11 races.
Chassis: Crew Chief Donnie Wingo and the Texaco/Havoline team will bring chassis #307 to Lowe’s Motor Speedway this weekend. This car is making its 2005 season debut. The team ran chassis #307 11 times last season, including the NEXTEL Open and the Coca-Cola 600. McMurray finished third in the Open and fourth at the Coca-Cola 600 in 2004.
McMurray Notes: McMurray is entering into this third All-Star Challenge weekend. He finished 22nd in The Winston in 2003, but was eliminated after the first segment. Last year in the NEXTEL Open, McMurray lead 20 of the 30 laps at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, but the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge crossed the finish line in third place.
The Joplin, Mo., native finished 11th in points in the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series chase.
He posted nine top-five and 23 top-10 finishes, including 12 top-10 finishes in the last 14 events of the 2004 season.
Jamie McMurray Quote:
On The Open… ““I feel like our Texaco/Havoline Dodge is going to be strong enough that we should be a contender for the win in the NEXTEL Open and can advance to the All-Star Challenge. If for some reason that doesn’t happen, I’m hoping that all my fans have been voting for me to get me in with the fan vote. This race is for the fans. There are no points on the line and everyone takes a few more risks than normal. This race always lives up to its reputation.”
“Last year’s Open was disappointing because I felt like our Texaco/Havoline Dodge was the best car out there. The car just got really loose during the last 10-lap segment, and I’m still amazed I was able to save it coming off the corner. That was probably one of the best saves I have ever had.”
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: Fifth at Talladega Superspeedway on May 1, 2005
