NASCAR WCUP: Crew Chief Club at the Pepsi 400 presented by Meijer
19 August 1999
Event: Pepsi 400 presented by MeijerWhen: Sun., Aug. 22 at 12:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN
Where: Michigan Speedway (2-mile oval)
Together, Jimmy Makar, Larry McReynolds, Todd Parrott and Robin Pemberton have led their drivers to 73 wins, 390 top-five finishes, 615 top-10 finishes and 72 poles prior to this Sunday's Pepsi 400 at Michigan Speedway.
Makar and Bobby Labonte hold the race record for the August event at Michigan. In taking the checkers at the Goodwrench 400 on Aug. 20, 1995, Labonte had an average speed of 157.739 mph and finished the race in two hours, 32 minutes and nine seconds. In addition to their win, Labonte and Makar scored the pole for the race. Since then, no driver has gone on to win the August race from the pole.
Makar isn't the only Crew Chief Club member to earn a win in the second Winston Cup race at Michigan. Parrott and Dale Jarrett scored a win in 1996, and Pemberton and Mark Martin notched a victory in 1990.
All four members of the Crew Chief Club are scheduled to sign autographs on Sat., Aug. 21 an hour and a half after the conclusion of happy hour. Jimmy Makar and Larry McReynolds will be on the Chevrolet merchandise trailer, while Todd Parrott and Robin Pemberton will be on the Ford merchandise trailers. Fans can also log-on to the Crew Chief Club at their official website, www.crewchiefclub.com.
WAS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU LEARNED IN THE JUNE RACE AT MICHIGAN THAT YOU'LL APPLY WHEN YOU RETURN?
Jimmy Makar - Interstate Batteries Pontiac of Bobby Labonte - "We learned a few things that we can apply when we go back there. We had a good run in June considering we started 18th. A big key at Michigan is fuel mileage. That is something that needs to be worked into your strategy for this track."
Larry McReynolds - Lowe's Home Improvement Chevrolet of Mike Skinner - "We're still learning there. Our run in June was pretty uneventful since the race went green the entire day. But what we've learned in our races together there should enable us to dramatically improve our performance at Michigan - in qualifying and in the race."
Todd Parrott - Ford Quality Care Service/Ford Credit Ford of Dale Jarrett - "Considering we won the race in June, I think we've got a pretty good handle on our setup for this race. We're looking forward to going back there."
Robin Pemberton - Miller Lite Ford of Rusty Wallace - "We've tried some different things at Michigan over the years. Michigan is Michigan and it's been the same race track for a number of years and the competition is greater. Our setups will be the same, so it won't really be much different."
DOES THE TRACK CHANGE A LOT FROM THE TIME THAT YOU SAW IT IN JUNE TO NOW?
Jimmy Makar: "Not in the time frame between June and August, but it does change a lot during the course of the day. It's one of those race tracks where you've got to be careful that you don't dial yourself out to lunch in practice sessions, because when qualifying rolls around, the track typically is in a different condition. Usually it changes quite a bit from the time we finish practice to the time we qualify."
Larry McReynolds: "Not really. The weather is fairly consistent up there and I can't really say that we've seen big changes from June to August over the years. That doesn't mean there won't be, but I can't say that we've really seen any drastic changes."
Todd Parrott: "The track gets a little more free - a little bit loose. All in all, Michigan is a pretty consistent race track and the weather usually stays pretty consistent as well. It won't be a whole lot different, but it will be a little looser."
Robin Pemberton: "Michigan changes a little bit. By the time you get there for the second race, the place has sat there for most of the summer and they've held a CART race there, so it'll be a little bit looser."
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