The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) season returned to the “World Center of Racing” at Daytona International Speedway (DIS), for the Independence Day weekend and the mid-way point of the 2015 season. Jamie McMurray rolled off from the ninth starting position in the rain-delayed Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola and survived an action-packed race to capture a 15th-place finish in the McDonald’s Chevrolet.
The McDonald’s team started the 4th of July weekend with a bang, literally. McMurray was collected in a multi-car accident just 10 minutes into the first practice session on Friday afternoon, which forced the McDonald’s team to a back-up car. McMurray was still able to post the ninth fastest lap of the session, which would ultimately benefit him on Saturday afternoon when storms forced the cancelation of qualifying and the starting order for Sunday night’s race would be determined by first practice speeds.
Late afternoon and evening rain showers that moved over DIS caused the start of the race to be delayed by more than three hours, as racing action didn’t start until nearly midnight ET. Once the race started the action heated up. McMurray raced among the lead pack for most of the night until being collected in an accident on lap 106. The McDonald’s crew was able to make repairs on pit road under caution and kept the No. 1 Chevy on the lead lap and in contention for a run to the finish.
After falling back as far as the 32nd position, McMurray was able to recover and race back to the lead pack. Following the race’s final caution and a green-white-checkered attempt, McMurray crossed the finish line in the 15th position.
With his finish, McMurray gained one position in the NSCS point standings and is currently in sixth-place.
NOTES OF INTEREST
· McMurray finished the race with an average running position of 13.95, he had a highest position of fourth and lowest of 32nd
· The Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola was slowed by caution nine times for 43 laps
· The start of last night’s Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola was delayed by more than three hours because of rain
CGRFS Quoteboard:
Jamie McMurray – No. 1 McDonald’s Chevrolet SS: – “I’m glad everyone is alright following that wreck on the final lap. Given how the race went, I’m also glad we were able to get the car to the finish line on the lead lap. The McDonald’s crew did a great job keeping me out there and making some quick fixes to the car tonight. We had a good car tonight just didn’t get the breaks we needed at the end.”
NSCS teams will run the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday, July 11. NBCSN, Sirius XM NASCAR Channel 90 and PRN Radio will have live coverage at 7:30 p.m. ET.
About Chip Ganassi Racing Teams
Chip Ganassi has been a fixture in the auto racing industry for over 25 years and is considered one of the most successful as well as innovative owners the sport has anywhere in the world. Today his teams include four cars in the IndyCar Series, two cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and one Prototype in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. Overall his teams have 17 championships and over 160 victories, including four Indianapolis 500s, a Daytona 500, a Brickyard 400 and six Rolex 24 At Daytonas and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Ganassi boasts state-of-the-art race shop facilities in Indianapolis and Brownsburg, Ind. and Concord, N.C., with a corporate office in Pittsburgh, Pa.
For more information log onto chipganassiracing.com
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