Fuel Mileage Strategy Doesn’t Play at MIS

Michigan International Speedway: Post-Race
No. 1 McDonald’s Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Start: 15th
Finish: 21st
Standings: 22nd (116 points behind 16th; final playoff spot)

Notes:

• McMurray and the No. 1 team relinquished the lead with 11 laps to go, when they were the last to pit for fuel. The long green-flag run to the checkers thwarted the attempt to play the fuel mileage strategy to their advantage.
• The caution flag was shown eight times for a total of 37 laps and the lead changed 15 times among nine drivers.

McMurray quotes:

“It seemed really hard to pass today, but I thought that we were pretty good on a few of the restarts. On the longer runs, we battled to get the car turning though the corners and have the balance be consistent. The guys did a good job on pit road today, but the cautions didn’t fall to put us in a pit window to try and make it on fuel mileage. Disappointing to have such a finish, but hopefully we can rebound with a strong run as we head to the short-track at Bristol next weekend.”