No. 1 Team Struggles Through Long Day in The Desert

Results from Las Vegas Motor Speedway

1.  Carl Edwards, No. 99 - Ford
3.  Juan Pablo Montoya, No. 42 Clorox Chevrolet
27. Jamie McMurray, No. 1 McDonald’s Chevrolet

Las Vegas, Nev. (March 6, 2011) – The No. 1 McDonald’s team posted a strong qualifying effort at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, starting the Kobalt Tools 400 from the 11th position.  However once the 267 lap event began McMurray had a tough time with the handling of the car, reporting a very loose condition.  The team tried to take advantage of a couple early race cautions to make adjustments to the car, but giving up valuable track position.

Before the halfway point of the race on lap 109 McMurray was forced up the track by another competitor and made contact with the wall.  The caution came out at the same time for fluid on the track and the team was able to pit under caution and make some minor repairs.  The McDonald’s team continued to work feverishly to find the balance for the remainder of the race, eventually finishing in the 27th position.  

Jamie McMurray stated after the race, “Today was a frustrating day for us.  We seemed to chase the handle on the car no matter what changes we made.  I hate if for our team.  These guys work so hard and to have a day like that, it just leaves you scratching your head.  We’ll go back and do our homework and be prepared for a strong effort at Bristol in two weeks.”

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will take next weekend off and will return to action at the “World’s Fastest Half Mile” Bristol Motor Speedway for the Jeff Byrd 500 presented by Food City on March 20 at 1pm (ET); live coverage will be on FOX, and PRN Radio affiliates.