CGRFS Michigan International Speedway - Advance Notes

Race:  Lifelock 400 on Sunday, June 15 (NSCS) (LIVE, TNT 12:30 p.m. ET)

Track: Michigan International Speedway (2-Mile D-Shaped Oval) (NSCS)

Locations:  Brooklyn, Mich. (NSCS)

Notes

Dario Franchitti and the No. 40 Wrigley's™ Juicy Fruit® Dodge Team (NSCS)

Franchitti's Return:  Dario Franchitti returned to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing at Pocono Raceway this past weekend.  That was his first start since he sustained an ankle injury in a NASCAR Nationwide Series on-track incident at Talladega Superspeedway just over six weeks ago.  Despite an impressive qualifying run of 14th for the Pocono first-timer, Franchitti battled an ill-handling car and multiple on-track incidents ultimately finishing the race 41st.  

Franchitti at Michigan:  This weekend marks Franchitti's first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start at Michigan International Speedway. However, this is not Franchitti's first time at the track.  He has made four previous IndyCar starts there between 2004 and 2007.  His average start at the track in the IRL is 6.5, which includes a first-place starting position in 2007.  His average finishing position is 13.75 with a best of eighth in 2005.

Welcome Back Wrigley:  This week CGRFS welcomes back William Wrigley Jr. Company and Juicy Fruit gum as the primary sponsor on the No. 40 Cup car. In addition to sponsoring Franchitti and the No. 40 car this weekend, Wrigley serves as one of the primary sponsors on the No. 42 CGRFS Cup car driven by Juan Pablo Montoya.

Wrigley Fun Facts:  If placed end-to-end it would take 42,240 pieces of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum to circle the Michigan International Speedway. To cover the entire racing surface of MIS it would take 38,680,576 pieces of Juicy Fruit. That is enough gum, laid end-to-end, for one roundtrip (and then some) from CGRFS Headquarters in Concord, N.C., to the headquarters of Wrigley in Chicago Ill.; over 1,831 miles worth of chewing gum!

Where They Stand:  In the point's race for Rookie of the Year, Franchitti is in fifth place with 80 points, 57 points out of the lead. The No. 40 CGRFS car is 39th in owner's points, 188 points out of the 35th spot. 

CHASSIS INFO

No. 40 Wrigley's Juicy Fruit Dodge (NSCS):  Chassis #819.  Franchitti will drive chassis #819 this weekend, the same chassis used for the No. 40 at the Darlington, Charlotte and Las Vegas races this year. It has a best finish of 31st at Charlotte with a best qualifying run of 14th at Darlington, both of those times Sterling Marlin was behind the wheel. 
 

2008 STATS

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

                             Starts  Wins    Poles   Top 5s  Top 10s   Ave Start       Ave Finish      Owners Pts. Pos./(Prev)
Dario Franchitti        8          0          0           0           0             29.4                 32.8                   39/(38)

CAREER STATS

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

                            Starts  Wins    Poles   Top 5s  Top 10s    Ave Start       Ave Finish    
Dario Franchitti        8         0          0           0           0               29.4               32.8