BANANA BOAT TEAM EARNS TOP-10

Results (starting pos.) from Pocono Raceway
1. (1) Joey Logano, No. 20 Toyota
10.  (11) Jamie McMurray, No. 1 Banana Boat Chevrolet
17.  (17) Juan Pablo Montoya, No. 42 Target Chevrolet

Top-10 Finish for Banana Boat Team at Pocono

LONG POND, Pa.  (June 10, 2012) – The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) made its first of two trips for the 2012 season, to the Pocono Mountains and the track labeled as the “Tricky Triangle”, Pocono Raceway.  Jamie McMurray driving the familiar Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (EGR) No. 1 Chevrolet with first-time sponsorship from Banana Boat Suncare Products, started 11th and finished in the 10th-position.

McMurray, who participated in a tire test at the newly repaved Pocono Raceway in April, where he posted the unofficial fastest time, kept his momentum and had one of the fastest cars throughout the race weekend.  The No. 1 Banana Boat Chevrolet started from the 11th-position and quickly moved up to the front of the field, where he led three times for 14 laps during the 160-lap race. 

The No. 1 team focused on fuel strategy to keep McMurray in position, should the race come down to a battle of fuel mileage.  Crew chief Kevin “Bono” Manion had McMurray on a different pit cycle than some of the leaders hoping for a long green flag run, that would force many others to need one additional fuel stop.  However, two cautions in the last 25 laps benefitted those teams that were gambling fuel mileage.  McMurray would still battle to a 10th-place finish, gaining nine positions in the final 15 laps

McMurray commented following the race.  “We had a really good Banana Boat Chevy today. Our guys worked hard and we had good pit stops. We fell out of sequence at one point and had to battle back through the pack. I am proud of the effort from everyone on this team and feel good about the way we performed this weekend. It’s nice to walk out of here with a top-10 finish for our team and Banana Boat.”

Notes:
- McMurray gained three spots in the NSCS point standings and is currently in the 19th-position
- This was McMurray fourth career top-10 finish at Pocono Raceway
- Sunday’s race was the first 400-mile race at Pocono Raceway since the distance had been changed from 500 miles

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will be at Michigan International Speedway next Sunday, June 17 for the Quicken Loans 400.  TNT and MRN affiliated radio stations will have live coverage at 1:00 p.m. ET.