Solid Run and Top-10 Finish for McMurray at Darlington

Results (with starting pos.) from Darlington Raceway
1.            (23) Regan Smith, No. 78 Chevrolet
9.            (12) Jamie McMurray, No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet
23.          (16) Juan Pablo Montoya, No. 42 Target Chevrolet
  

Darlington, Sc. (May 7, 2011) – The No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet started the Showtime Southern 500 at Darlington from the 12th position and ran among the top-15 all night.  With determined pit work and the assist of some late race cautions, Jamie McMurray was able to take the checkered flag with at 9th-place finish.

The Showtime Southern 500 weekend started out with Mother Nature having her say, giving teams limited track time with a rain-shortened first practice session on Friday afternoon, and completely washed-out second practice.  The limited practice did not hinder the determined No. 1 team as they ran solidly among the top-15 cars throughout the race on Saturday night.  McMurray’s night did not go without its challenges, having to deal with a race car that was both tight and loose at times.

McMurray was the last car on the lead lap when a caution came out with just 10 laps remaining.  The Bass Pro Shops team took advantage of the opportunity and pitted with a majority of the lead lap cars, gambling with a two tire stop.  The risk paid off by gaining valuable track position and surviving the final caution, leading to a well-deserved top-ten finish.

“That was a hard-fought solid finish for our team tonight”, stated McMurray.  “We were all over the board tonight with the handle on our car, but our guys worked hard to keep us in the mix and we were able to drive it home with a much needed top-ten finish.”

NOTES
- McMurray jumped three spots to 21st-position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings
- McMurray ran 326 of the 370 laps in the top-15
- Nine was the number for McMurray at Darlington, as he ranked 9th in all the following categories
 Driver rating (94.0)
 Fastest driver late in a run (163.293)
 Fastest driver on restarts (162.877)
 Average running position
 Finished ninth

Next weekend the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will be at Dover International Speedway for the FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks, Sunday May 15th at 1:00 p.m. (ET), the race will be covered live on FOX and MRN radio affiliated stations.