1. (4) Denny Hamlin, No 11 Toyota

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (April 22, 2012) – The first of two visits to the Kansas Speedway in the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) season would prove to be a challenging weekend for the No. 1 McDonald’s team. Jamie McMurray and team would battle from the 36th starting position to improve 22 spots, and bring the No. 1 Chevy home with a 14th-place finish.
 
The McDonald’s team showed some strength in the two practice sessions on Friday afternoon as McMurray posted competitive speeds throughout. When qualifying took place on Saturday morning at the 1.5 mile Kansas Speedway, the No. 1 team had a car that was extremely loose and would be credited with the 36th-position for the start of Sunday’s STP 400.

 

From the drop of the green flag the McDonald’s team quickly started making up ground on the field. McMurray broke into the top-20 by lap 75 and would maintain a lead-lap position the majority of the 267-lap event. McMurray got caught one lap down when he pitted under green and the caution flag was displayed while on pit road. When the leaders pitted, McMurray was able to take advantage of the wave-around and would restart at the tail-end of the lead lap. McMurray quickly overcame the deficit and moved the McDonald’s Chevrolet up into the top-15 in the closing laps and bringing home a second consecutive 14th-place finish.

 

McMurray commented following the race, "Our guys worked really hard on our McDonald’s Chevrolet today. We overcame the deficit from qualifying and raced toward the front. Our team expects better finishes, but I am proud of our effort today.”

 

Notes:

 

- With his 14th-place finish, McMurray gained four positions in the point standings, he is currently 19th, 59 points from 10th-place

- McMurray ranked fifth overall in the STP 400 with 116 green flag passes

- In 11 career starts at Kansas Speedway, McMurray has only one DNF

 

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will be at Richmond International Raceway next Saturday April 28, 2012. FOX and MRN affiliated radio stations will have live coverage at 7:30 p.m. ET.