BASS PRO SHOPS TEAM FINISHED 14TH AT MICHIGAN

Results (starting pos.) from the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway

1. (13) Greg Biffle, No. 16 Ford 
14.  (24) Jamie McMurray, No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Mercury Chevrolet
26.  (25) Juan Pablo Montoya, No. 42 Target Chevrolet

14th-Place Finish For Bass Pro Shops Team at Michigan

BROOKLYN, Mich. (August 19, 2012) – The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) teams made a return visit to the “Irish Hills” of Michigan over the weekend.  In just the second visit to the southern Michigan track since being repaved, the No. 1 team had a strong run going, but had to overcome some adversity for a 14th-place finish.

The Bass Pro Shops team focused mostly on race set-up during the first practice session on Friday afternoon before qualifying.  When qualifying rolled around that afternoon, Jamie McMurray posted what he thought would be a top-10 qualifying effort, until clouds rolled in and cooled the track temperatures for the remaining teams and increasing the speeds significantly.  The team would end up with a 25th-place starting position for Sunday.

From the drop of the green flag on Sunday, the No. 1 Chevrolet was strong and began picking up positions.  McMurray posted lap times that were as fast as the leaders throughout much of the race as he battled through traffic.  On lap 97 McMurray reported that he had a flat tire and had to pit off sequence.  Crew chief Bono Manion assured McMurray that he would be okay, as the team was in their fuel window on strategy. 

The caution would wave shortly after a pit stop on lap 132, putting the Bass Pro Shops Chevy one lap down to the leaders and McMurray would have to race for the “lucky dog” position.  That lucky break would come on lap 144 with a caution, giving McMurray position back on the lead lap.  The No. 1 team gained several positions in the last 50 laps to bring home a finish in the 14th-position.

“We had a really good car today”, said McMurray.  “Our Bass Pro Shops Chevy was really fast, so I am encouraged by the effort of this team to give us such a good car.  I feel like our team is heading in the right direction”

Notes:
- McMurray gained one spot in the NSCS point standings, currently 19th-place
- In 20 career starts at MIS McMurray has completed 3792 of 3939 (96.3%) laps run at the 2-mile track
- McMurray has finished on the lead lap at Michigan in 16 of the 20 races that he has run