CGRFS NNCS Michigan Advance
Race: Citizens Bank 400 on Sunday, June 17 Track: Michigan International Speedway (2-mile oval) Location: Brooklyn, Mich. CGRFS Media Contacts at Michigan International Speedway: Patrick Rogers and Kelby Krauss NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Entries: No. 40 Coors Light Dodge No. 41 Target Dodge No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge David Stremme and the No. 40 Coors Light Dodge Team Facts: * Racing Close to Home: David Stremme will get a small glimpse of home this weekend at Michigan. Stremme grew up in South Bend, Ind., just a few hours away from the speedway. * Happy Birthday, David!: Just a few days after this weekend's 400-mile race, Stremme will be celebrating his 30th birthday on June 19. Don't worry David, the 30s are the news 20s these days ... or at least that is what we've been told. * Standings Update: Stremme and the No. 40 Coors Light team finished 23rd at Pocono Raceway last Sunday, after the race was cut short due to rain. Stremme and team are now ranked 22nd in the NNCS points standings right behind teammate Juan Pablo Montoya. The team is now 255 points out of 12th - the final transfer position for the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup. * Happy Father's Day, Lou: Stremme is really close to his father Lou, who had his son put school first before he started racing as a teenager and then continued to support his son in his pursuit to become a NASCAR driver. Stremme took a minute this week to talk about the close friendship he has with his father and the significance of Father's Day: "Father's Day means a lot to me because my dad and I are really close. We did a lot together when I was growing up working on race cars. It would be cool if I could get a win for him, but he always says coming home to see him would be nice so I'm going to do that on Monday because this definitely has a lot of meaning to me. I'm going to get him something, but I have no idea what that is yet. I might get him a set of tires for his race car. I'm not sure because he's pretty low key. He won't be at Michigan this weekend because he'll be racing, so I'll be sure to call him on Sunday morning." * Chassis: Crew Chief Steve Lane and the No. 40 Coors Light time are bringing chassis #704 to Michigan this weekend. The chassis was last run in Charlotte where the team raced its way to a 17th-place finish. This chassis was only used once before Charlotte and helped the team grab a 13th-place finish at Atlanta this past March. Stremme's Michigan NASCAR Stats Date Series Race Start Finish Laps Status Winnings 2004 Busch Spring 18 11 125/125 Running $21,250 2005 Busch Spring 11 22 124/125 Running $19,870 2006 Cup Spring 30 19 129/129 Running $99,783 2006 Cup Fall 32 28 200/200 Running $90,132 Track Summary: Starts Wins Poles Top 5s Top 10s Avg. Start Avg. Finish Completed Total DNF Winnings NNCS 2 0 0 0 0 31 15.2 329 329 0 $189,915 NBS 2 0 0 0 0 14.5 16.5 249 250 0 $41,120 Totals: 4 0 0 0 0 22.75 15.85 578 579 0 $231,035 Stremme's Cumulative NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Stats Starts Wins Poles Top 5s Top 10s Laps Led Winnings 52 0 0 0 2 8 $5,110,042 No. 40 Coors Light Team 2007 Results Date Race Start Finish Winnings Points Date Race Start Finish Winnings Points 18-Feb Daytona 6 11 $294,758 9 15-Jul Chicago 25-Feb California 24 19 $90,850 10 29-Jul Indianapolis 11-Mar Las Vegas 2 20 $95,925 11 5-Aug Pocono 18-Mar Atlanta 7 13 $75,875 11 12-Aug Watkins Glen 25-Mar Bristol 33 13 $89,875 11 19-Aug Michigan 1-Apr Martinsville 29 35 $66,525 13 25-Aug Bristol 15-Apr Texas 14 10 $130,175 12 2-Sep California 21-Apr Phoenix 41 43 $61,736 18 8-Sep Richmond 29-Apr Talladega 20 8 $106,025 14 16-Sep Loudon 5-May Richmond 21 38 $63,975 17 23-Sep Dover 12-May Darlington 30 34 $68,850 22 30-Sep Kansas 27-May Charlotte 10 17 $97,935 21 7-Oct Talladega 3-Jun Dover 34 36 $74,850 21 13-Oct Charlotte 10-Jun Pocono 29 23 $66,425 22 21-Oct Martinsville 17-Jun Michigan 28-Oct Atlanta 24-Jun Sonoma 4-Nov Texas 1-Jul Loudon 11-Nov Phoenix 7-Jul Daytona 18-Nov Homestead Starts Wins Top 5 Top 10 Poles Winnings 14 0 0 2 0 $1,385,779 No. 40 Coors Light Crew Name Crew position Hometown Name Crew position Hometown Steve Lane Crew Chief Winston-Salem, N.C. Brian Burns Engineer Indianapolis, Ind. Tony Glover Team Manager Kingsport, Tenn. Rob Lopes Tire Specialist Carney's Point, N.J. Jim Pohlman Car Chief Oak Lawn, Ill. John Weaver Shock Specialist Montrose, Mich. Scott Ward Front Tire Changer Clearlake, Calif. Brian Gallucci Mechanic Freeland, Pa. Andy Silver Front Tire Carrier Weaverville, N.C. Luke Roeffers Mechanic Oneida, WI Evan Clark Rear Tire Changer Mt. Pleasant, N.C. Mike Calinoff Spotter Hauppauge, N.Y. Doug Riepe Rear Tire Carrier Danbury, Conn. Tim Jones Engine Specialist Clemens, N.C. Brian Perry Jack Man Huntington, W.V Michael Smolka Pit Support Albemarle, N.C. Benjy Grubbs Gas Man Richmond, Va. Anwar Parrish Pit Support Shelby, N.C. Jim Pohlman Catch Can Man Oak Lawn, Ill. Tim Beaver Transport Driver Mooresville, N.C. Matt Mansir Transport Driver Greensboro, N.C. Reed Sorenson and the No. 41 Target Dodge Team Facts: * Michigan Momentum: Sorenson has only two starts at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in the NEXTEL Cup Series, but his results are rather impressive. He posted a fifth-place finish in last year's June event and followed that up with an eighth-place effort in August. He also finished seventh that weekend in the NASCAR Busch Series. In four starts at the track in either the NEXTEL Cup Series (2) or Busch Series (2), Sorenson has one top-five finish and three-top 10 finishes. * Like Father, Like Son: Prior to focusing his attention on his son Reed's racing career, Brad Sorenson was a racer himself. He began at the age of 15 competing on two wheels instead of four. Brad cut his racing teeth in motocross and competed professionally in the AMA ranks for a short period. From there, he began racing late models around the Atlanta area and even competed in one Busch Series race at Lanier National Speedway (13th-place finish). After that, his passion turned to seeing his son succeed. Brad will be at MIS this weekend supporting his son on the Father's Day race. Quoting Reed Sorenson on Father's Day: "My dad has been very supportive and instrumental throughout my racing career and life in general. We worked together on all of my cars and he served as my crew chief all the way up through the ASA ranks. He's not as involved these days, but he still watches every race and we talk about how everything went after it's over. I appreciate all that he has done for me over the years. He and my mom made a lot of sacrifices to get me to this level. No matter what, I can always call my dad for advice. Whether it's racing related, or a big decision I need to make, or if I just need to talk, he's always there. He tells me he's coming up to Michigan this weekend. I'd love to give him the ultimate Father's Day gift and win the race. If not, I'll probably get him a polo shirt or something like that (smile)." * New Target Racing Website: Be sure to check out the new Target Racing website at www.chipganassiracing.com/target/ to get all the latest updates and results for Team Target drivers Sorenson (NASCAR NEXTEL Cup), Scott Dixon (IRL) and Dan Wheldon (IRL). Additionally, be sure to browse www.chipganassiracing.com <http://www.chipganassiracing.com/> for all the latest news on CGRFS. * Points Update: The Target team currently stands 25th in the overall series standings. The team sits 123 points out of 20th position and 342 out of 12th - the final transfer position for the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup. * Chassis: Crew chief Jimmy Elledge and the Target team have selected chassis #708 for the race at Michigan. This car has no previous starts. * To view the 2007 Target Racing Media Guide, please visit: www.target.com/pressroom Sorenson's Michigan NASCAR Stats Date Series Race Start Finish Laps Status Winnings 08/20/06 NNCS GFS Mktplace 400 28 8 200/200 Running $93,225 08/19/06 NBS Carfax 250 34 7 128/128 Running $19,035 06/18/06 NNCS 3M Perf.400 25 5 129/129 Running $98,350 08/20/05 NBS Domino's 250 4 36 113/125 Engine $19,630 Track Summary: Starts Wins Poles Top 5s Top 10s Avg. Start Avg. Finish Completed Total DNF Winnings NNCS 2 0 0 1 2 27 7 329 329 0 $191,575 NBS 2 0 0 0 1 19 22 241 253 1 $38,665 Totals 4 0 0 1 3 23 14 570 582 1 $230,240 Sorenson's Cumulative NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Stats Starts Wins Poles Top 5s Top 10s Laps Led Winnings 52 0 0 2 7 94 $5,337,384 No. 41 Target Team 2007 Results Date Race Start Finish Winnings Points Date Race Start Finish Winnings Points 18-Feb Daytona 33 13 $296,833 12 15-Jul Chicago 25-Feb California 20 43 $86,963 30 29-Jul Indianapolis 11-Mar Las Vegas 7 31 $100,533 31 5-Aug Pocono 18-Mar Atlanta 11 9 $104,433 25th 12-Aug Watkins Glen 25-Mar Bristol 39 43 $86,932 29th 19-Aug Michigan 1-Apr Martinsville 28 18 $100,083 25th 25-Aug Bristol 15-Apr Texas 26 40 $89,075 29th 2-Sep California 21-Apr Phoenix 27 15 $93,208 27th 8-Sep Richmond 29-Apr Talladega 29 25 $101,947 29th 16-Sep Loudon 5-May Richmond 37 21 $92,083 26th 23-Sep Dover 12-May Darlington 16 40 $75,750 29th 30-Sep Kansas 27-May Charlotte 34 4 $177,783 24th 7-Oct Talladega 3-Jun Dover 28 27 $101,958 25th 13-Oct Charlotte 10-Jun Pocono 22 24 $91,408 25th 21-Oct Martinsville 17-Jun Michigan 28-Oct Atlanta 24-Jun Sonoma 4-Nov Texas 1-Jul Loudon 11-Nov Phoenix 7-Jul Daytona 18-Nov Homestead Starts Wins Top 5 Top 10 Poles Winnings 14 0 1 2 0 $1,627,908 No. 41 Target Crew Name Crew position Hometown Name Crew position Hometown Jimmy Elledge Crew Chief Redding, Calif. Tim Smith Engineer Cope, S.C. Tony Glover Team Manager Kingsport, Tenn. Doug Spees Tire Specialist Toledo, Ohio Jeff Vandermoss Car Chief Green Bay, Wis. Roger Parkinson Shocks/Pit Support San Diego, Calif. Bobby Burrell Front Tire Changer Hot Springs, Va. Jesse Sanders Mechanic Coupeville, Wash. Marty Forcier Front Tire Carrier Superior, Wis. Lorin Ranier Spotter Prestonburg, Ky. Jason Sheets Rear Tire Changer Indianapolis, Ind. Travis Alexander Engine Specialist Walla Walla, Wash. Adam Moser Rear Tire Carrier Fort Mill, S.C. Shane Bourgeois Pit Support Peachtree City, Ga. Chuck White Jack Man China Grove, N.C. Mike Chance Pit Support Hope Mills, N.C. Randy Hildreth Gas Man Charlotte, N.C. Rod Bussard Transport Driver Everett, Pa. Eric Hoyle Catch Can Man Asheville, N.C. Brian Darr Transport Driver Tempe, Ariz. Juan Pablo Montoya and the No. 42 Texaco Havoline Dodge Team Facts: * Standings: Juan Pablo Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline team jumped to 21st in the overall series standings after their solid 20th-place run at Pocono. Montoya is only 35 points out of 20th and 254 points out of 12th - the final transfer position for the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup. * Chassis: Crew Chief Donnie Wingo and the Texaco/Havoline team have selected chassis #707 for this weekend's race at Michigan International Speedway (MIS). This will be the second time the team has run this chassis this year. Montoya ran chassis #707 in the 600-mile race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May, where he started from the 20th position and finished 28th after being involved in a multi-car incident. * Back to MIS: Montoya is no stranger to the 2-mile track in Brooklyn, Mich. In fact, the last time Montoya turned laps at MIS he drove to victory lane in July of 2000 for Chip Ganassi Racing in the CART Series. Montoya started the race from the seventh position and led 39 laps before taking the checkered flag. He also competed in the CART race in 1999 where he started third, led for 28 laps and finished on the podium in second place. This will be the first time Montoya has driven the heavier stock car in Michigan. * Happy Father's Day: Montoya credits much of his success to his father Pablo Montoya. Pablo first introduced his son to racing when he was just five years old in their hometown of Bogota, Colombia, and since has gone on to win a CART Series Championship, the Indianapolis 500 and the Grand Prix of Monoco, just to mention a few. Quoting Juan Pablo Montoya on Father's Day: "My Dad is a great guy and the single most important person responsible for my racing career. He started me in racing, managed my development and provided support both on and off the track. From managing my career, to a big decision in life or just growing up and being a kid, he was, and still is, always there looking out for me, with guidance and love. I hope to have the same type of positive influence on my kids that he has had on me." * Rookie Race: Montoya collected his sixth Raybestos Rookie of the Race honor of the season with his 20th-place finish at Pocono. He currently leads David Ragan by six points (152-146) in the Raybestos(r) Rookie standings. * Two in a row for Hamlin: Kevin Hamlin will pilot the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Busch car again this weekend at Kentucky Speedway. This will be the third race for Hamlin, a Snohomish, Wash. native. Hamlin has driven twice this season at Nashville Superspeedway finishing 23rd last weekend and 18th in April. The NASCAR Busch Series race will air on ESPN2 and MRN Radio live on Saturday, June 16, at 8 p.m. ET. * Road Trip: Texaco/Havoline has just made traveling to the race track easier for race fans. Fans can go to www.texacohavoline42.com <http://www.texacohavoline42.com/> , click on the link for the road trip and enter their starting location and race destination. In addition to receiving the best route to the track, fans will also get directions to the nearest Xpress Lube and Texaco service stations along the way to make planning their trip to see Montoya easier. * Updated site: The fan and media site at www.texacohavoline42.com has been revamped for the 2007 season. Media and fans can get up-to-date information on the team, Montoya as well as special features like an exclusive blog from Montoya's spotter Tab Boyd. Montoya's Michigan NASCAR Stats Track Summary: Starts Wins Poles Top 5s Top 10s Avg. Start Avg. Finish Completed Total DNF Winnings Totals - - - - - - - - - - - Montoya's Cumulative NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Stats Starts Wins Poles Top 5s Top 10s Laps Led Winnings 15 0 0 1 2 0 $1,905,733 No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Team 2007 Results Date Race Start Finish Winnings Points Date Race Start Finish Winnings Points 18-Feb Daytona 36 19 $299,483 18 15-Jul Chicago 25-Feb California 9 26 $120,475 20 29-Jul Indianapolis 11-Mar Las Vegas 4 22 $126,950 22 5-Aug Pocono 18-Mar Atlanta 16 5 $126,200 15 12-Aug Watkins Glen 25-Mar Bristol 36 32 $114,700 19 19-Aug Michigan 1-Apr Martinsville 23 16 $109,850 16 25-Aug Bristol 15-Apr Texas 16 8 $168,375 13 2-Sep California 21-Apr Phoenix 36 33 $101,325 16 8-Sep Richmond 29-Apr Talladega 24 31 $115,750 19 16-Sep Loudon 5-May Richmond 16 26 $103,250 21 23-Sep Dover 12-May Darlington 41 23 $113,575 21 30-Sep Kansas 27-May Charlotte 20 28 $124,300 22 7-Oct Talladega 3-Jun Dover 16 31 $112,775 22 13-Oct Charlotte 10-Jun Pocono 38 20 $107,300 21 21-Oct Martinsville 17-Jun Michigan 28-Oct Atlanta 24-Jun Sonoma 4-Nov Texas 1-Jul Loudon 11-Nov Phoenix 7-Jul Daytona 18-Nov Homestead Starts Wins Top 5 Top 10 Poles Winnings 14 0 1 2 0 $1,872,627 No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Crew Name Crew position Hometown Name Crew position Hometown Donnie Wingo Crew Chief Spartanburg, S.C Heath Silver Catch Can/Mechanic Asheville, N.C. John Fernandez Team Manager Gloversville, N.Y. J.D. Frey Mechanic Ferndale, Calif. Tony Glover Team Manager Kingsport, Tenn. Keith Armstrong Tire Specialist Viola, Ill. Mike Brill Car Chief Woodsville, N.H. Roy Gangdal Shocks Vancouver, B.C. Billy Curwood Engineer Shickshinny, Pa. Tab Boyd Spotter Pensacola, Fla. Trevor Lysne Front Tire Changer Fergus Falls, Minn. Rudy Wade Engine Specialist Greer, S.C. Eric Bilyeu Front Tire Carrier Waterford, Mich. Brady Wittcamper Pit Support Tipton, Ind. Rich Macco Rear Tire Changer North Syracuse, N.Y. Ryan Quann Pit Support Richmond, Va. Chip Goode Rear Tire Carrier Statesville, N.C. Jim Pollard Transport Driver Greensboro, N.C. Mark Jacobs Jack Man Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. Rocky Boggs Transport Driver Burlington, N.C. Mike Bodick Gas Man/Mechanic Norwalk, Conn. For more information log onto www.chipganassiracing.com <http://www.chipganassiracing.com/> Kelby Krauss Media Relations Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates 8500 Westmoreland Drive Concord, NC 28027 Office: (704) 662-9642 ext 1147 Cell: (317) 945-3019 Fax: (704) 663-0848 kkrauss@ganassi.com www.chipganassiracing.com