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AdventHealth announced today that 2010 DAYTONA 500 champion Jamie McMurray will run the No. 40 AdventHealth Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the Advance Auto Parts Clash at DAYTONA during the 2019 DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth.
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"Daytona International Speedway and Chip Ganassi Racing provide us with a national platform to amplify our new brand as AdventHealth," said David Banks, AdventHealth chief strategy officer. "In almost all of our AdventHealth markets, there is a race track within a few hours. This allows our entire system of nearly 50 hospitals in almost a dozen states to not only participate in the NASCAR program, but hopefully benefit from it as well."
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In addition, AdventHealth has partnered with Chip Ganassi Racing to develop a robust Human Innovation and Development Lab (HIDL) to focus on unique training to prepare drivers both mentally and physically. Located at the Chip Ganassi Racing shop in Concord, North Carolina, the HIDL is a human performance enhancement project that has been headed-up by former NASCAR driver Josh Wise. The HIDL features tools and technology that Wise and the team use to develop and improve the performance of drivers and pit crew members.
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"Our HIDL isn't just producing better athletes through fitness, it is looking at the whole person - how the mind and body connect to produce fast decision-making, better hand-eye coordination, balance, and overall mental toughness," said Banks. "These are all things that we focus on with our patients - not just treating the diagnosis, but really looking at the whole person to ensure the mind, body and spirit are in alignment."
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For the past three years, AdventHealth (formerly known as Florida Hospital) and McMurray have had a partnership. McMurray initially made his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) start in the No. 40 car and now he returns to his roots in the No. 40 car for the kickoff of the 2019 MENCS season.
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McMurray has a long history of racing and winning at Daytona International Speedway. He has experienced winning in nearly every type of event that he has competed in at the "World Center of Racing" including go-karts, Sports Cars and NASCAR. McMurray is one of only four drivers to have ever won the DAYTONA 500 and Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, joining a list of racing legends that includes Mario Andretti, AJ Foyt and Jeff Gordon.
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"Jamie McMurray has proven to be successful at Daytona International Speedway," Banks said. "As a person, Jamie aligns very well with the AdventHealth brand. He is a family man, into staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, wholesome, and an all-around good guy."
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In Oct. 2018, AdventHealth also announced an expanded partnership with the Daytona International Speedway and the DAYTONA Speedweeks is now referred to as "DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth," which is highlighted by the 61st annual DAYTONA 500.
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AdventHealth began a relationship with the Daytona International Speedway in 2014, when Florida Hospital was named a Founding Partner and the Official Healthcare Partner of Daytona International Speedway.
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"I am looking forward to getting back in the car at Daytona and to have AdventHealth onboard with us for this race," McMurray said. "We have had a great relationship with everyone at AdventHealth over the last several years. It means a lot to have them partner with us on this special event, especially with everything that they have going on at Daytona International Speedway throughout Speedweeks, as presenting sponsor and with their fan injector to greet fans coming to the races."
