Race 2 Win: Sprint Cup Series Race Notes

Sprint Cup Series

Dodge Challenger 500 - Sterling Marlin Notes

Sterling Marlin
Darlington Raceway Advance Notes

Race: Dodge Challenger 500 on Saturday, May 10 (NSCS) (LIVE, FOX, 7:00 p.m. ET)
Track: Darlington Raceway (1.366-mile oval)
Location: Darlington, SC

Sterling Marlin and the No. 40 Dodge Challenger Team (NSCS)

NOTES

Marlin Lends a Hand at Darlington: Former CGRFS driver and NASCAR Veteran Sterling Marlin will drive the No. 40 Dodge Challenger in this Saturday night’s NSCS 367-lap event at Darlington Raceway, while its full-time driver Dario Franchitti continues to recover from a race injury he received in the NNS event at Talladega Superspeedway last month (April 26). At this time, Marlin is confirmed to drive for CGRFS at Darlington only. He raced full-time for CGRFS when the team started in 2001, during which he scored two wins, two poles, 12 top-five and 20 top-10 finishes. Marlin led a total of 535 laps and then topped the team’s rookie season off with a third-place finish in the overall championship standings. The following year, Marlin remained first in the championship standings for 25-consecutive weeks (Rockingham to Richmond) before his season was cut short due to a fractured C2 vertebra. Altogether, Marlin drove for CGRFS from 2001-2005 tallying 172 starts, four wins, three poles, 24 top-fives, 57 top-10s and led a total of 1,444 laps.

Franchitti Update: Dario Franchitti, full-time driver of the No. 40 CGRFS Dodge, will sit out this weekend’s NSCS race at Darlington Raceway. Franchitti was fitted for a carbon fiber brace last week but will take another weekend off to give his ankle more time to heal. His status behind the wheel of the No. 40 Dodge will continue to be evaluated on a week-to-week basis.

The iconic muscle car is back!: The No. 40 CGRFS NSCS car will feature the new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 on its hood this weekend in Darlington, S.C. Powered by a 6.1-liter HEMI® V-8 engine that produces 425 horsepower, the Challenger SRT8 is true to its historical roots, but with modern features that customers expect like SIRIUS Satellite radio, UConnect hands-free phone and MyGIG infotainment system featuring a 30 gig hard drive. For more information about the new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, go to www.dodge.com.

Marlin at Darlington: Marlin has 45 starts at Darlington, which include two wins (March 1995; March 2002), three poles (back-to-back in March and September 1992; September 2002), 10 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. He has led a total of 405 laps at the Lady in Black. His first start at Darlington was April 13, 1980 (started 33rd, finished 11th) behind the wheel of the No. 5 car owned by Jim Stacy. Marlin’s last run at Darlington was May 2007, driving for Bobby Ginn in the No. 14 car (started 28th, finished 13th). Marlin averages a top-15 start at Darlington and a top-20 finish.

Don’t Miss CGRFS Fan Day 2008: CGRFS wants to thank its fans for their support Friday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., during the Third Annual CGRFS Fan Appreciation Day. This year’s event will be highlighted by a variety of activities at the team’s Concord, N.C., race shop, including an extended view of the race facility that will take fans through interactive stations and displays, as well as pit stop and car wrapping demonstrations. A complimentary lunch will also be provided (while supplies last). The entire CGRFS NASCAR drive line-up, including Dario Franchitti, Reed Sorenson, Juan Pablo Montoya, Bryan Clauson and Kevin Hamlin, will be at the shop from Noon to 2 p.m. ET to meet their fans and sign autographs. Please Note: Wristbands will be required to receive an autograph. They can be reserved in advance by calling 866-888-6388 beginning Monday, May 5. Limit two wristbands per call. Reserved wristbands MUST be picked up no later than 5 p.m. Thursday, May 22, or they will no longer be reserved. All Wristband holders can enjoy a private shopping session at the CGRFS gift shop from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Friday, May 23.

CHASSIS INFO
No. 40 Dodge Challenger (NSCS): Chassis #819. This 2008 car has been run in one race so far this year at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway in early March (started 42nd, finished 33rd).