The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) returned to Darlington Raceway for the Labor Day weekend in what was a long-standing tradition for the Southern 500 at NASCAR’s oldest superspeedway. Jamie McMurray drove the McDonald’s/Cessna Chevrolet SS to a 14th-place finish in the grueling 367-lap race and essentially claimed a spot in the 2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
The NSCS teams had a full test day on Friday afternoon at Darlington to work on a new aerodynamic package that would be used for the first time during the Southern 500. During the test sessions, the No. 1 team focused primarily on their long race-run setup. With an opportunity to lock-in a spot for the 2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup with the outcome of the Southern 500, the No. 1 team focused on a competitive yet conservative approach to the race.
From the beginning of Sunday night’s race, the No. 1 team experienced issues with the two-way radio frequency, making it difficult for McMurray in the car to communicate with his team and spotter. However, the team was able to overcome the distraction and McMurray ran a clean, competitive race en route to a 14th-place finish.
With his finish, McMurray maintained his 10th-place position in the NSCS point standings and will only need to start the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond to secure a position in the 2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
NOTES OF INTEREST
• McMurray will only need to start next week’s race at Richmond International Raceway to clinch a spot in the 2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup
• The No. 1 pit crew ranked fourth among the 43 teams for best times on pit stops
• The Bojangles Southern 500 was slowed by caution 18 times for 89 laps
CGRFS Quote board:
Jamie McMurray – No. 1 McDonald’s/Cessna Chevrolet SS: – “We had an okay car tonight. We ran a very conservative race. We know that we needed to have a good points night and not take unnecessary chances. I had to deal with radio issues most of the night, so that was very frustrating in the car to not have constant communication with the crew chief and spotter. Our pit crew did a great job on pit road again tonight. I’m looking forward to going to Richmond and just race hard and have fun.”
NSCS teams will run the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. NBC Sports Network, Sirius XM NASCAR Channel 90 and MRN Radio will have live coverage at 7:30 p.m. EDT.
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 18 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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