MCMURRAY AND MCDONALD'S TEAM FINISH 14TH

Results (starting pos.) from Richmond International Raceway
1. (5) Kyle Busch, No. 18 Toyota
12.  (20) Juan Pablo Montoya, No. 42 Target Chevrolet
14.  (37) Jamie McMurray, No. 1 McDonald’s Chevrolet

McDONALD’S TEAM BATTLES TO 14TH-PLACE FINISH

RICHMOND, Va. (April 28, 2012) – The excitement of night racing at Richmond International Raceway did not disappoint for the fans that endured a day of rain, until the skies cleared just before race time and the racing action got under way.  The McDonald’s team would overcome a disappointing qualifying effort to battle back to a 14th-place finish.

Friday was an action packed day for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) teams, as all of the pre-race track activity would take place, including two practice sessions and qualifying.  Jamie McMurray reported the car did not have any drive off the corner, making it difficult to carry speed down the straightaways, resulting in a 37th-place qualifying effort.

When the action for Saturday night’s Capital City 400 got underway, the No. 1 team went to work making adjustments on the car and McMurray quickly worked his way inside the top-20.  The McDonald’s team  even battled to overcome a two-lap deficit in the second half of the race.  Regaining the lead-lap position proved to be critical as the No. 1 team was able to improve several positions in the closing laps, bringing home a third consecutive top-15 finish.

McMurray debriefed with crew chief Bono Manion following the race and stated, "I am really excited for that finish.  With all of the changes that we made, we were really fast at the end of a long green flag run.  If we hadn’t lost the laps when the caution came out right after pitting, I think we could have had a top-10 finish.”

Notes:
- McMurray moved up one position in the NSCS point standings to 18th.
- McMurray ranked first in the closers category for gaining the most positions in the last 10% of the race, with five positions
- The No. 1 team was awarded the USG Improving Positions Award for advancing the most positions from start to finish

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will be at Talladega Superspeedway next Sunday May 6, 2012. FOX and MRN affiliated radio stations will have live coverage at 1:00pm ET.