CGRFS NNCS Talladega Advance
Race: UAW 500 on Sunday, October 7 Track: Talladega Superspeedway (2.66-mile tri-oval) Location: Talladega, Ala. CGRFS Media Contacts at Talladega Superspeedway: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Entries Kelby Krauss, No. 40 Coors Light Dodge Patrick Rogers, No. 41 Target Dodge Angie Copen, No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge David Stremme and the No. 40 Coors Light Dodge Team Facts: * New Face for 2008: CGRFS announced reigning Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series Champion Dario Franchitti has signed a multi-year deal with the organization to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) beginning in 2008. Franchitti will become the first European driver in the 59-year history of NASCAR to join the series full time when he assumes the driving duties of No. 40 Dodge Avenger next season. Franchitti will immediately begin a stock car development program similar to the one CGRFS teammate Montoya engaged in just over a season ago when he attempts to qualify a CGRFS-prepared No.42 Target Dodge in Friday's ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway. Franchitti now teams with Montoya, a fellow Indianapolis 500 Champion and former CART competitor. The duo took the 1999 CART title to the wire, with the current pilot of the No.42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge winning via a tiebreaker in the season finale. * David in 'Dega: David Stremme returns behind the wheel of Coors Light Dodge this weekend for CGRFS. Stremme recorded a career-best finish of eighth in the spring event after starting 20th. * Standings Update: Stremme and the No.40 car finished 17th at Kansas Speedway last weekend and remain 26th in NNCS points. * Chassis: Crew chief Steve Lane and the No. 40 Dodge team have selected CoT chassis #749 for this weekend's UAW 500 at Talladega. This is the first time the chassis will see action. Stremme's Talladega NASCAR Stats Date Series Race Start Finish Laps Status Winnings 2004 Busch Spring 18 40 78/117 Accident $17,565 2005 Busch Spring 30 3 120/120 Running $35,393 2006 Cup Spring 17 34 106/188 Running $85,725 2006 Cup Fall 38 33 175/188 Accident $78,500 2007 Cup Spring 20 8 192/192 Running $106,025 Track Summary: Starts Wins Poles Top 5s Top 10s Avg. Start Avg. Finish Completed Total DNF Winnings Busch 2 0 0 1 1 24.0 25.7 198 237 1 $52,958 Cup 3 0 0 0 1 25.0 25.0 473 568 1 $270,250 Totals 5 0 0 1 2 24.6 23.6 671 805 2 $323,208 Stremme's Cumulative NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Stats Starts Wins Poles Top 5s Top 10s Laps Led Winnings 67 0 0 0 2 8 $6,201,168 No. 40 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 38 34 $79,575 26 25-Feb California 24 19 $90,850 10 29-Jul Indianapolis 12 26 $147,075 25 11-Mar Las Vegas 2 20 $95,925 11 5-Aug Pocono 34 25 $67,525 25 18-Mar Atlanta 7 13 $75,875 11 12-Aug Watkins Glen 25 21 $65,150 26 25-Mar Bristol 33 13 $89,875 11 19-Aug Michigan 20 21 $76,125 24 1-Apr Martinsville 29 35 $66,525 13 25-Aug Bristol 36 14 $97,700 22 15-Apr Texas 14 10 $130,175 12 2-Sep California 21 34 $86,050 23 21-Apr Phoenix 41 43 $61,736 18 8-Sep Richmond 26 19 $70,850 23 29-Apr Talladega 20 8 $106,025 14 16-Sep Loudon 32 42 $68,305 24 5-May Richmond 21 38 $63,975 17 23-Sep Dover 40 39 $65,225 26 12-May Darlington 30 34 $68,850 22 30-Sep Kansas 36 17 $91,150 26 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 24 40 $70,050 22 28-Oct Atlanta 24-Jun Sonoma 40 32 $72,230 23 4-Nov Texas 1-Jul Loudon 24 27 $74,350 25 11-Nov Phoenix 7-Jul Daytona 26 22 $91,325 25 18-Nov Homestead Starts Wins Top 5 Top 10 Poles Winnings 29 0 0 2 0 $2,607,364 No. 40 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. Mark Cass Jack Man North Wilkesboro, N.C. Rick Ramsey Pit Support Shelby, 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. Joel Charpentier Scorer Myrtle beach, S.C. Matt Mansir Transport Driver Greensboro, N.C. Reed Sorenson and the No. 41 Target Dodge Team Facts: * Helping out for Habitat: Sorenson joined over 40 Bank of America associate volunteers on Tuesday to help begin framing a Habitat for Humanity home. The event took place at Sorenson's hometown (Peachtree City, Ga.) track - Atlanta Motor Speedway. The completed house will become home to an Atlanta family. * A CoT First: This weekend's Talladega race will mark the first restrictor-plate race for NASCAR's new Car of Tomorrow. Sorenson, along with his CGRFS teammates and most other drivers and teams on the circuit participated in a two-day NASCAR sanctioned test at the track on Sept. 10 & 11. * Points Update: Sorenson and the Target team maintained 23rd in the overall NEXTEL Cup Series driver standings their seventh-place finish in the last event at Kansas. The team is 149 points out of 20th with seven races remaining in the 2007 season. * Chassis: Crew chief Jimmy Elledge has selected chassis #748 for this weekend's inaugural CoT restrictor-plate race. * And the Winner is [drum roll, please] ... : CGRFS announced early last week the winner of its inaugural Drive4Design contest. Heath Harmon, of Spokane, Wash., was named the Grand Prize winner of the apparel design competition, which involved two fan favorites and essentials-a t-shirt and cap. Earlier this year, CGRFS invited NASCAR fans to turn their ideas into reality with the "Drive4Design Contest," encouraging motorsports enthusiasts to create their own unique fan gear. The CGRFS drivers took part in the selection process, along with other CGRFS team members. Harmon's creation will be produced in partnership with Chase Authentics and sold this fall at the CGRFS Concord, N.C., gift shop and at the online gift shop at www.chipganassiracing.com. In addition to watching his t-shirt and hat designs come to life, Harmon will be treated to a complimentary Charlotte race weekend trip for two this October. First prize winners were Ryan Villnow of New Richmond, Wis.; Stephen Whiting of Winter Springs, Fla.; Connie Deighton of Buckeye, Ariz.; and Daniel Barrr of Deep Gap, N.C. They will each receive a signed 1:24 scale diecast from CGRFS. * Ladies' Night Returns to CGRFS: After a successful debut in 2006, Ladies' Night is returning this October to the Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) Concord, N.C., race shop Wednesday, October 10 (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET), with more fun festivities. In addition to free admission and a complimentary behind-the-scenes tour of the CGRFS race shop, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be on the house for all attendees. Guests will also be treated to a fall fashion show that will include apparel designed by the CGRFS Drive4Design contest winner Heath Harmon, as well as a sneak peek at the new fall fashions. Special guest speakers will stop by to visit and talk about their racing careers and lives. Raffle prizes will also be given away with all proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Reservations are required, so don't delay. Call 1-800-888-6388 to reserve your spot for CGRFS Ladies' Night 2007 today. To learn more go to www.chipganassiracing.com <http://www.chipganassiracing.com/> and click on "Charlotte Race Week 2007." * Be Sure to Tune In: The UAW 500 is set to go green at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday. The race will air live on ABC, MRN radio and Sirius Satellite Radio channel 128. * To view the 2007 Target Racing Media Guide, please visit: www.target.com/pressroom * To view the Target Racing website, please visit: www.chipganassiracing.com/target/ Sorenson's Talladega NASCAR Stats Date Series Race Start Finish Completed Led Status Winnings 2005 Busch Spring 20 32 75/120 0 Running $26,395 2006 Busch Spring 13 17 117/117 0 Running $20,000 2007 Busch Spring 14 27 109/120 0 Accident $18,775 2006 Cup Spring 41 26 177/188 0 Accident $89,825 2006 Cup Fall 42 39 147/188 1 Engine $76,675 2007 Cup Spring 29 25 192/192 0 Running $101,947 Track Summary: Starts Wins Poles Top 5s Top 10s Avg. Start Avg. Finish Completed Total DNF Winnings NBS 3 0 0 0 0 15.7 25.3 301 357 1 $65,170 NNCS 3 0 0 0 0 37.3 30.0 516 568 2 $268,447 Totals 6 0 0 0 0 26.5 27.7 817 925 3 $333,617 Sorenson's Cumulative NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Stats Starts Wins Poles Top 5s Top 10s Laps Led Winnings 67 0 1 3 9 126 $7.028,668 No. 41 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 22 12 $123,233 28th 25-Feb California 20 43 $86,963 30 29-Jul Indianapolis 1 5 $282,408 24th 11-Mar Las Vegas 7 31 $100,533 31 5-Aug Pocono 10 28 $88,533 24th 18-Mar Atlanta 11 9 $104,433 25th 12-Aug Watkins Glen 24 28 $85,658 25th 25-Mar Bristol 39 43 $86,932 29th 19-Aug Michigan 33 38 $87,422 26th 1-Apr Martinsville 28 18 $100,083 25th 25-Aug Bristol 29 15 $123,558 26th 15-Apr Texas 26 40 $89,075 29th 2-Sep California 31 21 $119,083 24th 21-Apr Phoenix 27 15 $93,208 27th 8-Sep Richmond 25 32 $90,033 25th 29-Apr Talladega 29 25 $101,947 29th 16-Sep Loudon 13 14 $106,308 23rd 5-May Richmond 37 21 $92,083 26th 23-Sep Dover 33 30 $91,833 23rd 12-May Darlington 16 40 $75,750 29th 30-Sep Kansas 14 7 $134,458 23rd 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 29 23 $94,072 24th 28-Oct Atlanta 24-Jun Sonoma 29 40 $85,797 27th 4-Nov Texas 1-Jul Loudon 3 26 $98,833 27th 11-Nov Phoenix 7-Jul Daytona 26 42 $90,055 29th 18-Nov Homestead Starts Wins Top 5 Top 10 Poles Winnings 29 0 2 4 1 $3,329,192 No. 41 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 Charger Team Facts: * Sight that started it all: Juan Pablo Montoya made his first official start for the Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) stock-car operation at Talladega Superspeedway one year ago in the ARCA race. Montoya qualified on the outside pole before experiencing drafting for the first time in a heavy stock car. Montoya raced several laps three wide, was involved in an incident on the track and dropped back as far as 31st before driving the No. 42 Dodge Charger across the finish line in third place. In his first start in a NEXTEL Cup car at the 2.66-mile track in April, Montoya was running in the top 10 on lap 149 when a steering failure forced him to bring the Texaco/Havoline Dodge to pit road. The team repaired the car, but fell six laps down to the leader to finish the Talladega 499 in the 31st position. * Standings: Montoya slipped one spot in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup standings after his 28th-place run at Kansas Speedway last weekend. He now sits 20th in the Driver Standings with just seven races left in the 2007 season. Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline team have earned three outside-poles, one win, three-top five and five top-10 finishes this season. * Meet Montoya: Montoya will be signing autographs for fans from 4 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 6 at the Talladega -Texaco Walk of Fame. The signing will be held at the Davey Allison Memorial Park in downtown Talladega. The park is located between Spring Street and Court Street. * Ladies' Night Returns to CGRFS: After a successful debut in 2006, Ladies' Night is returning this October to the Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) Concord, N.C., race shop Wednesday, October 10 (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET), with more fun festivities. In addition to free admission and a complimentary behind-the-scenes tour of the CGRFS race shop, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be on the house for all attendees. Guests will also be treated to a fall fashion show that will include apparel designed by the CGRFS Drive4Design contest winner Heath Harmon, as well as a sneak peek at the new fall fashions. Special guest speakers will stop by to visit and talk about their racing careers and lives. Raffle prizes will also be given away with all proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Reservations are required, so don't delay. Call 1-800-888-6388 to reserve your spot for CGRFS Ladies' Night 2007 today. To learn more go to www.chipganassiracing.com <http://www.chipganassiracing.com/> and click on "Charlotte Race Week 2007." * Rookie Race: Montoya leads the Raybestos Rookie Standings by 14 points over David Ragan (223-209) with seven races to go. Montoya's 20th-place standing in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup points is also the best of any rookie. The late Davey Allison, while piloting a Texaco/Havoline car, holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos(r) Rookie in the fall race at Talladega. Allison led seven times for 77 laps on his way to a second place-finish in 1987. * Chassis: Crew Chief Donnie Wingo and the Texaco/Havoline team are bringing chassis #750 to Talladega for the first Superspeedway race in a Dodge Avenger. Montoya and the team tested this chassis at the NASCAR-sanctioned test September 10. Montoya and the No. 42 crew were fourth quick in single car runs on Monday morning in their Dodge Avenger; third quick in single car runs Monday afternoon and fifth on the speed charts in Monday afternoon's drafting session. Teammate Reed Sorenson took over for Montoya on Tuesday with the No. 42 crew for the second day of the test. * New Teammate, Old Friend: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced reigning Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series Champion Dario Franchitti signed a multi-year deal with the organization to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series beginning in 2008 in the No. 40 Dodge Avenger. He will make his debut, like Montoya did one year ago, in the ARCA event at Talladega on Friday. Franchitti now teams with Montoya, a fellow Indianapolis 500 Champion and former CART competitor, after the duo took the 1999 CART title to the wire. Montoya won via a tiebreaker in the season finale. Montoya's Talladega NASCAR Stats Track Summary: Starts Wins Poles Top 5s Top 10s Avg. Start Avg. Finish Completed Total DNF Winnings Totals 1 0 0 0 0 24 31 187 187 0 $115,750 Montoya's Cumulative NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Stats Starts Wins Poles Top 5s Top 10s Laps Led Winnings 30 1 0 3 6 7 $4,052,639 No. 42 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 30 15 $130,575 20 25-Feb California 9 26 $120,475 20 29-Jul Indianapolis 2 2 $360,850 18 11-Mar Las Vegas 4 22 $126,950 22 5-Aug Pocono 9 16 $106,425 18 18-Mar Atlanta 16 5 $126,200 15 12-Aug Watkins Glen 18 39 $93,375 19 25-Mar Bristol 36 32 $114,700 19 19-Aug Michigan 26 26 $109,100 19 1-Apr Martinsville 23 16 $109,850 16 25-Aug Bristol 2 17 $131,050 18 15-Apr Texas 16 8 $168,375 13 2-Sep California 42 33 $121,625 19 21-Apr Phoenix 36 33 $101,325 16 8-Sep Richmond 15 41 $98,755 20 29-Apr Talladega 24 31 $115,750 19 16-Sep Loudon 31 23 $111,200 20 5-May Richmond 16 26 $103,250 21 23-Sep Dover 2 10 $121,800 19 12-May Darlington 41 23 $113,575 21 30-Sep Kansas 21 28 $118,400 20 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 33 43 $103,926 23 28-Oct Atlanta 24-Jun Sonoma 32 1 $310,600 21 4-Nov Texas 1-Jul Loudon 5 19 $111,200 19 11-Nov Phoenix 7-Jul Daytona 20 32 $118,025 21 18-Nov Homestead Starts Wins Top 5 Top 10 Poles Winnings 29 1 3 5 0 $4,019,533 No. 42 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