MCDONALD'S TEAM FINISHES 39TH

Results (starting pos.) from the Finger Lakes 355 at Watkins Glen International

 1.    (5)     Marcos Ambrose, No. 9 Ford 
33.  (1)     Juan Pablo Montoya, No. 42 Target Chevrolet
39.  (10)   Jamie McMurray, No. 1 McDonald’s Chevrolet

Early Race Accident Results in Disappointing 39th-Place Finish

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (August 12, 2012) – The second road course race of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) season, at the rolling hills of Watkins Glen International was an up and down weekend for the No. 1 McDonald’s team.  For the second straight week, rain would affect the on-track schedule and for only the second time in 2012, the No. 1 team would be involved in an accident, putting an early end to the day and resulting in a 39th-place finish.

Rain forced the first of two practice sessions on Friday to be canceled.  The NSCS teams would work in a brief practice late Friday afternoon and an added practice on Saturday morning.  Following the two practice sessions the team would be no better than 26th fastest before qualifying.  The team made some major adjustments prior to qualifying and resulted with a pleasing 10th-place effort.

From the drop of the green flag, Jamie McMurray would keep the McDonald’s Chevrolet running strong, never falling more than two spots back from his 10th-place starting position.  He radioed that the car needed a little more rear grip and the crew prepared to make adjustments on the first pit stop.  Just two laps before the first scheduled stop, McMurray would cut a left front tire sending him into the fence and ending the hopes of a strong finish for the McDonald’s team. 

While helping the team access the damage on the No. 1 Chevrolet, McMurray commented.  “I’m not sure what happened.  I was going through the fastest section of the track and something broke in the left front and sent us right into the fence.  I hate that our day ended early in the McDonald’s car like this, we had a good qualifying effort and were maintaining position in the top-10, hoping to hold on for a good finish.“

Notes:
- McMurray dropped one spot to 20th in the NSCS point standings
- Sunday was McMurray’s 10th start at Watkins Glen International