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Solid Race Nets Top-10 for Larson at Darlington Raceway

Solid Race Nets Top-10 for Larson at Darlington Raceway

Results (with starting position) from the Bojangles at 1. (13) , No. 19 Toyota 2. (1) , No. 2 Ford 3. (6) , No. 11 Toyota 10. (16) No. 42 Mello Yello SS (Larson) 14. (20) No. 1 McDonald’s/Cessna Chevrolet SS (McMurray)

Solid Race Nets Top-10 for Larson at Darlington Raceway

After a well-deserved break, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) was back in action this past weekend as racing returned to Darlington for the weekend. The Southern 500 was highlighted by a throwback theme, which saw the Target team trading in the familiar Bullseye paint scheme for that of the iconic Mello Yello scheme that was driven in and by in the early ‘90s for team co-owner . As the race began Sunday, Larson quickly moved up from his 16th place start to a spot in the top-10, where he would remain for much of the night en route to a 10th-place finish.

NSCS teams were given extended time during each of Friday’s two practice sessions to test the reduced downforce package that was in place for the race. During the sessions the Target crew worked to fine-tune the car’s balance and had the Mello Yello Chevy looking strong for the race after showing good on longer runs. In qualifying, Larson would transfer to the second-round in a car that handled just a little too tight, ultimately earning a 16th place start for Sunday night’s 367-lap race.

The Mello Yello Chevy started the race strong, gaining several spots before the team came to pit during the first caution on the eighth lap of the race. Although Larson restarted in 22nd, he quickly regained his positions and was into the top-10 by Lap 40. Throughout the race, Larson would experience minor balance issues, but maintained a top-10 running position for much of the night aided by quick stops from the pit crew all night. Following the final caution on Lap 356 Larson restarted in seventh, but unfortunately lost a few spots after being bottled-up in traffic. During the final seven laps, Larson would hold on to secure a 10th place finish.

With the finish, Larson moves up to 19th in the NSCS driver point standings, 96 points out of the final Chase spot.

NOTES OF INTEREST:

• Larson’s finish was his second top-10 at Darlington in two NSCS starts • Larson had the most quality passes during the race, with 52 • Larson ran 93% of his laps in the top-15, the eighth best percentage for the race • The Mello Yello Chevy was voted best throwback paint scheme by fans on NASCAR.com and a panel of NASCAR Hall of Fame members • The caution flag was shown 18 times for a total of 89 laps, a new track record • The lead changed 24 times among 11 drivers

TCGRFS QUOTEBOARD

Kyle Larson, Driver, No. 42 Mello Yello Chevrolet SS – “We had a fun weekend with the Mello Yello paint scheme and being a part of the throwback stuff at Darlington. We had some ups and downs with the car throughout practices getting the balance right, but the guys put together a really good car for the race. We fired off pretty good most of the night, and had a top-10 car all race. On pit road, the guys did a really good job and helped me gain spots on a few of our stops. Unfortunately I got sort of pinballed on the final restart and lost some spots, but still happy to finish with a top-10.”

McMurray Claims 14th Place Finish in Southern 500

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) returned to Darlington Raceway for the Labor Day weekend in what was a long-standing tradition for the Southern 500 at NASCAR’s oldest superspeedway. Jamie McMurray drove the McDonald’s/Cessna Chevrolet SS to a 14th-place finish in the grueling 367-lap race and essentially claimed a spot in the 2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

The NSCS teams had a full test day on Friday afternoon at Darlington to work on a new aerodynamic package that would be used for the first time during the Southern 500. During the test sessions, the No. 1 team focused primarily on their long race-run setup. With an opportunity to lock-in a spot for the 2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup with the outcome of the Southern 500, the No. 1 team focused on a competitive yet conservative approach to the race.

From the beginning of Sunday night’s race, the No. 1 team experienced issues with the two-way radio frequency, making it difficult for McMurray in the car to communicate with his team and spotter. However, the team was able to overcome the distraction and McMurray ran a clean, competitive race en route to a 14th-place finish.

With his finish, McMurray maintained his 10th-place position in the NSCS point standings and will only need to start the at Richmond to secure a position in the 2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

NOTES OF INTEREST

 McMurray will only need to start next week’s race at Richmond International Raceway to clinch a spot in the 2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup  The No. 1 pit crew ranked fourth among the 42 teams for best times on pit stops  The Bojangle’s Southern 500 was slowed by caution 18 times for 89 laps

CGRFS Quote board:

Jamie McMurray – No. 1 McDonald’s/Cessna Chevrolet SS: – “We had an okay car tonight. We ran a very conservative race. We know that we needed to have a good points night and not take unnecessary chances. I had to deal with radio issues most of the night, so that was very frustrating in the car to not have constant communication with the crew chief and spotter. Our pit crew did a great job on pit road again tonight. I’m looking forward to going to Richmond and just race hard and have fun.”

NSCS teams will run the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. NBC Sports Network, Sirius XM NASCAR Channel 90 and MRN Radio will have live coverage at 7:30 p.m. EDT.

About Racing Teams Chip Ganassi has been a fixture in the industry for over 25 years and is considered one of the most successful as well as innovative owners the sport has anywhere in the world. Today his teams include four cars in the IndyCar Series, two cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and one Prototype in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. Overall his teams have 18 championships and over 160 victories, including four 500s, a , a Brickyard 400 and six Rolex 24 At Daytonas and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Ganassi boasts state-of-the-art race shop facilities in Indianapolis and Brownsburg, Ind. and Concord, N.C., with a corporate office in , Pa.

For more information log onto chipganassiracing.com

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