McMurray Tours Langley Air Force Base: #1-Jamie McMurray recently toured Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, VA before taking on members of the media and fans in kart racing action at G-Force Karts in Richmond, VA. McMurray’s stops were in advance of the upcoming “One Last Race To Make The Chase” NASCAR Doubleheader weekend, September 10-11, at Richmond International Raceway. At Langley AFB, McMurray met with members of the Virginia Air Guard and participated in a tour of the base, which included an up-close look at an F-22 Raptor, the same jets that will be flown by the 192nd Fighter Wing during the ceremonial flyby prior to the Air Guard 400 on September 11.
Following the visit to Langley, McMurray made the trek to Richmond where he was greeted by race fans at G-Force Karts, across the street from RIR. Members of the media challenged McMurray to a karting race on the 11-turn, indoor track, before McMurray participated in an engaging question and answer session with all of the fans assembled at the facility. After the session, McMurray returned to the track to take on several lucky fans.(RIR)(8-19-2010)

Norelco sponsoring McMurray at Michigan: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and Philips brand Norelco announced that the new, all-in-one dual-end Bodygroom Pro groomer, will serve as the primary sponsor on the #1 Chevy, driven by Jamie McMurray at the Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway. Along with sponsoring the #1 Chevy, Philips Norelco will host race fans, on the midway, trackside at the Philips Lifestyle Lounge throughout the weekend at MIS. The lounge will allow race fans the opportunity to test Philips innovative products that focus on people and improving the quality of their lives, including Philips Sonicare toothbrushes, Philips Norelco shaving and grooming and a selection of consumer electronics.(EGR PR), see an image of the car on my #1 team paint schemes page.(8-10-2010)

McMurray to sport color changing AXE Twist scheme at Pocono: This weekend the #1 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevy of Jamie McMurray will welcome a new paint scheme with AXE Twist as the sponsor. AXE Twist was developed by world-renowned fragrance experts. Twist starts with fresh hints of citrus and lime, and then over time adds more depth with earthy notes of cedar and sandalwood. AXE Twist is available in a Deodorant Bodyspray, Deodorant Stick, Antiperspirant Stick and Shower Gel. Race fans can purchase AXE Twist at most food, drug, club and mass retail outlets. The #1 AXE Twist Chevy will feature a color-changing hood when it takes the green flag on Sunday, Aug. 1 at Pocono Raceway. The paint scheme is representative of the AXE Twist fragrance itself, which changes scents throughout the day. The vinyl used on the hood uses liquid crystals that can be accurately set to show color at specific temperatures and was specifically engineered to meet the exact temperature range needed to show changing colors on the hood of a NSCS car. For more information, visit www.theaxeeffect.com.(EGR) see images of the scheme on my #1 Team Schemes page.(7-28-2010)

McMurray, Ganassi working on contract extension: #1-Jamie McMurray and Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing officials are in the process of negotiating a new deal for the Sprint Cup driver, sources for both sides said following Sunday's victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. McMurray signed a one-year deal when he came to EGR from Roush-Fenway Racing this season. Co-owner Chip Ganassi would not comment on negotiations, but when asked if he planned to sign the reigning Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 champion to a long-term deal he quipped, "I'm going to fire him. What do you think?" Sources said McMurray's primary sponsor, Bass Pro Shops, also is expected to return.(ESPN.com:)(7-26-2010)

McMurray wins at Indianapolis: #1-Jamie McMurray won the Brickyard 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for his 2nd win of the season and 5th of his career. He joins Jimmie Johnson and Dale Jarrett as the only drivers to win the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 in the same year. #29-Harvick finished second, followed by: #16-Biffle, #33-Bowyer, #14-Steart, #31-Burton, #99-Edwards, #18-Busch, #20-Logano, and #2-Busch. Polesitter #42-Montoya domainated much of the race, leading the most laps, but lost the lead during a late pitstop, then hit the wall with 15 to go and finished 32nd. There were 14 lead changes among 10 drivers and 6 cautions for 25 yellow flag laps. The attendence was reported at 140,000, down from 180,000 last year.
See race results, awards, laps led and more on Jayski's Indianapolis Race Results/Awards page.(7-25-2010)
See drivers championship points standings on Jayski's Drivers Points Standings page.(7-25-2010)

Ganassi going for "triple crown" UPDATE: Chip Ganassi is one victory from one of the most cherished accomplishments in sports -- a triple crown. If #42-Juan Pablo Montoya or #1-Jamie McMurray wins the Brickyard 400 on Sunday, Ganassi would become the first team owner to win the Daytona 500, the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400 in the same season. Ganassi is the first person, driver or team owner, to have a chance at the trifecta of American auto racing. With McMurray's win at Daytona and Dario Franchitti's victory at Indy, Ganassi became the first owner to win racing's two biggest events in the same season. Now he's going for the sweep.(ESPN.com)(7-21-2010)
UPDATE: #1-Jamie McMurray's win at Indianapolis gave owner Chip Ganassi the first Daytona-Indy 500-Brickyard triple crown.(7-25-2010)

New sponsor for McMurray: Jamie McMurray and the #1 Chevy will welcome a new sponsor, Suave, this weekend when the team returns to New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The partnership with the team is a follow-up from last year's program where Unilever brand Vaseline MEN served as the primary sponsor for two races with the #1 Team at Dover and Martinsville. Suave products are designed to offer the same performance as salon and specialty brands without the salon price tag. Suave's lineup includes the Suave Professionals and Suave Naturals lines of shampoos, conditioners and body washes, Suave Men products designed for the grooming needs of guys, and Suave Kids, which includes 2 in 1 and 3 in 1 shampoos and conditioners as well as body washes formulated just for kids. Suave products are available at drug, mass merchandisers, and supermarkets nationwide.(EGR)(6-24-2010)
See an image of the scheme on my #1 Team Schemes page.(6-25-2010)

GE Reveal colors for McMurray at MIS: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and GE Lighting announced that the GE Reveal Light Bulb brand will be the primary sponsor on the #1 Chevy, driven by 2010 Daytona 500 Champion, Jamie McMurray at the June 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race at Michigan International Speedway. In conjunction with GE's paint scheme on the #1 Chevy, GE will also provide Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and Target Chip Ganassi Racing with new lighting fixture and bulb technologies for installation in their Concord, N.C. and Indianapolis, Ind. facilities. The #1 Chevy's bright blue design draws inspiration from the blue coloring of an unlit GE Reveal light bulb. Race fans should be sure to look for the iconic GE script logo on the hood of the #1 Chevy along with the rainbow-hued logo of GE Reveal running down the car's quarter panels.(EGR), see an image of the car on my #1 Team Schemes page.(6-9-2010)

Congratulations: to Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Account Manager and Front-Tire carrier for the #1 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Team, Doug Riepe and his wife, on welcoming a baby boy to the family on Wednesday, June 2nd. Henry Patrick Riepe was born at 1:36pm at a Charlotte area hospital weighing in at 7lbs 8oz and 19 inches long.(6-5-2010)

McMurray Makes Surprise Visit to Indy: After finishing second in the Coke 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Sunday night, 2010 Daytona 500 Champion Jamie McMurray flew to Indianapolis Monday morning to congratulate, Ganassi teammate Dario Franchitti on his Indianapolis 500 win and to honor his team owner, Chip Ganassi, for doing something that no other car owner in the history of auto racing had ever done; win the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500 in the same season. "Honestly, my first thought was that I was happy for Chip as an owner, but I was really happier for him as my friend,” said Jamie McMurray. “We certainly have been through a lot in our time together and coming back here and winning the 500 was certainly a high point for me and now with Dario winning in Indianapolis, the accomplishment for Chip of winning both in the same season is truly amazing. Chip and I have become really close and that’s really the first thing I thought of was that I was just really happy for him as my friend.” Both trophies were on hand to celebrate the moment – the Harley J. Earl trophy for the Daytona 500 winner and the Borg Warner given to the Indianapolis 500 winner.(EGR)(6-4-2010)

Bass Pro Shops looks to stay with EGR: Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris says while he’s good friends with a number of owners and drivers in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series, he doesn’t anticipate the company’s sponsorship moving from Earnhardt Ganassi Racing anytime soon. “I saw [team co-owner] Chip [Ganassi last night at the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” Morris said Friday. "We don’t have any contract for next year or anything, but Chip and [co-owner] Teresa [Earnhardt] … I think they’re happy. And we’re happy.” Morris was at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday to help unveil a special Bass Pro paint scheme to be run by EGR driver Jamie McMurray later this year, honoring NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Dale Earnhardt. Earnhardt fielded a similar Bass Pro-themed paint scheme in the 1998 all-star race. Bass Pro, which is sponsoring McMurray's car in half of this year's Sprint Cup races, is headquartered in Springfield, Mo., and the fact that McMurray, winner of the 2010 Daytona 500, grew up in nearby Joplin “is huge back home,” Morris said. “It’s not been a surprise, but back around Springfield and the Joplin area, with Jamie’s affiliation with Bass Pro, it’s been pretty cool,” Morris said.(SceneDaily)(5-25-2010)

RCR/ECR Employees to Distribute Donations to Nashville Relief Effort: Employees of Richard Childress Racing and ECR Engines will deliver and help distribute donated cleaning supplies May 25 for residents of the Nashville, Tenn., area who were adversely affected by last month's devastating flooding. An RCR Promotions show car trailer filled with donated cleaning supplies departed Monday from RCR headquarters in Welcome, N.C., headed for Cat Financial headquarters in Nashville. Tuesday morning, May 25, nearly two dozen RCR and ECR Engines employees will fly from Smith-Reynolds Airport, in Winston-Salem, to Nashville International Airport. The group will meet and divide the cleaning supplies at Cat Financial before making stops at United Way distribution centers in the area. RCR began collecting donations May 13 at the RCR Museum. "We wanted to do more than just drop off a trailer full of cleaning supplies in Nashville," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "People's lives were turned upside down by the flooding so we wanted to join our partners at Cat Financial to do something personal that shows how much we care. I want to thank everyone who donated and I'm very proud of all of the RCR and ECR employees who are helping distribute those supplies." Cleaning supplies collected over the past two weeks included bleach, scouring pads, dust masks, work gloves, heavy duty trash bags, paper towels, insect repellent and hand sanitizer.(RCR)(5-25-2010)

McMurray to run special scheme at Sprint All Star race: The National Wild Turkey Federation’s flying turkey logo will appear on the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing’s Bass Pro Shops sponsored #1 Chevy driven by Jamie McMurray in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the #3 Chevy Silverado driven by Austin Dillon in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. McMurray will be trying to win the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday, May 22nd at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Bass Pro Shops salute to the NWTF is a part of the Conservation Fund’s “Racing for America’s Wildlife” program. The program is designed to engage the NASCAR community in conserving America’s hunting and fishing heritage through habitat protection, restoration, education, and outreach. The NWTF is an over 500,000 member conservation organization with chapters across the United States, Canada and 10 other foreign countries. The Federation has worked with its volunteers, partners and wildlife agencies to restore wild turkey populations to 49 states and in parts of Canada. Bass Pro Shops is a dedicated supporter of NWTF’s Women in the Outdoors, JAKES, and Wheelin’ Sportsmen outreach programs.(Bass Pro Shops/EGR). see an image of the scheme on my #1 Team Schemes page.(5-20-2010)

McDonalds returns to the #1 at Darlington honors Bill France Jr.: For the third time during the 2010 NSCS season, Jamie McMurray and the #1 Team will sport McDonald's colors this weekend at Darlington Raceway for the Showtime Southern 500. One thing different, the #1 Chevy will run a special logo representing former NASCAR Chairman Bill France Jr.(EGR), see an image of the car and the honor on my #1 team paint schemes page.(5-6-2010)

McMurray going for three in a row at 'Dega: #1-Jamie McMurray and his EGR team will return to Superspeedway racing this weekend at Talladega. After an impressive February Speedweek’s at Daytona coming home with the Daytona 500 trophy, the team certainly looks to be a contender at the 2.66 tri-oval. McMurray has won the last two restrictor-plate races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series having won the 2009 fall event at Talladega and the 2010 Daytona 500. His victory marked his best finish at Talladega where he also has four top-five’s and five top-10’s. His best start was in the 2003 fall race when he started on the outside pole.(EGR)(4-12-2010)

Montoya-McMurray ok...sort of: The tension between Earnhardt Ganassi teammates Juan Montoya and Jamie McMurray has abated but not entirely been brushed off the table, or at least that's the impression one could draw from Montoya's remarks. Montoya and McMurray crashed early in the Feb. 28 race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Montoya excoriated McMurray afterwards. According to Montoya, it's time to move on, but he didn't seem all that forgiving. "He sent me a text saying 'la-la-la-la-la,' and he was sorry about the whole thing," said Montoya of McMurray, "and I said 'don't worry about it.' He asked if I wanted him to call me, and I said 'don't worry about it.' It happens. It's racing. Move on. Really, I was really (ticked off) at the time because we had a DNF ('did not finish') the week before with an engine problem. And (the next) week, being taken out by your teammate is something that you don't really expect, but it happens. It's part of racing and move on."(NASCAR This Week)(3-7-2010)

DEI being sued: Dale Earnhardt Inc., founded by the late seven-time Nascar champion, was sued by a financial firm that accuses it of reneging on a deal to sell the firm a $3.25 million claim in General Motors Corp.’s bankruptcy. The Seaport Group LLC, based in New York, sued Feb. 25 in federal court in New York. The company wants the court to force Dale Earnhardt Inc. to deliver the claim or to award money damages. “After DEI signed a binding contract to sell its claim to Seaport, the value of the claim increased dramatically, and DEI refused to honor the deal,” Seaport Group wrote in its complaint. Dale Earnhardt Inc., based in Mooresville, North Carolina, agreed to sell the claim for $783,604, according to the complaint. A call to DEI wasn’t answered.(Business Week))(3-2-2010)

Montoya / McMurray Quotes about Las Vegas wreck:
PABLO MONTOYA, #42 TARGET IMPALA – involved in crash with teammate Jamie McMurray and Kurt Busch – Finished 37th
WHAT HAPPENED?
"He (McMurray) runs straight into my ass. He nearly ran me into the fence in (Turn) 2 as well. I don't know. He's not doing himself any favors. I'm sure (McMurray) is going to say, 'Oh, I didn't mean that.'
"Just Jamie (McMurray) plain and simple just wrecked us. Every time I am around him, he wants to run the shit out of me. I don't know if it is ok to say that but I just did (LAUGHS). On the restart I was inside of him, I think he got tight and never lifted, I didn't hit the fence because.....it was a miracle. Then I arced it in to three and he just plain and simple just wrecked us. I'm sure on the radio it was "Ah, I didn't mean that." He is just trying to prove to people he can drive a race car and I guess he isn't doing too many favors on this team." HOW BAD IS THE CAR? "We will get it back out. I know he is trying to prove a point and show everybody he can drive a race car, but it really ruined our day. For the Chase, this doesn't help. We had a problem last week with the motor and this week this. It is painful. He nearly ran me in to the fence out of two as well. Going in to three just plain and simple just wrecked us. Oh well but not doing himself too many favors."
JAMIE MCMURRAY, #1 MCDONALDS IMPALA – Finished 34th
DID YOU EXPECT YOUR TEAMMATE (JUAN PABLO MONTOYA) TO BE A LITTLE KINDER OR NICER IN HIS REMARKS ABOUT YOU AFTER THE CRASH?
"Well, you're really frustrated. I haven't heard what he said but it wouldn't shock me that you're upset in a situation like that. We both had really good cars today and unfortunately we crashed."
CAN YOU TELL US WHAT HAPPENED AGAIN IN THE ACCIDENT?
"I just got really loose and underneath him and he turned in a little bit earlier than what I was expecting and when it did it made even looser. And I just had to catch my car and unfortunately I got into him whenever I did that."
HAVE YOU GUYS BEEN RACING SIDE-BY-SIDE EARLIER AND WE DIDN'T SEE IT?
"I don't think so, no. I don't know. No, I don’t think so."
OBVIOUSLY MONTOYA HAD SOME HARSH WORDS FOR YOU DURING THE RACE WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR. HAVE YOU GUYS HAD PROBLEMS IN THE PAST? HE SAID THAT YOU ALWAYS DRIVE ROUGH AROUND HIM
"Oh, you're probably just frustrated for what happened on the race track, so you guys (the media) probably shouldn't put a lot of stock into what he said when you ask somebody something immediately after getting crashed. They typically don't have nice things to say."(GM / Chevy Racing transcript)(3-1-2010)

McMurray honored in home state Missouri: #1-Jamie McMurray continued to celebrate his Daytona 500 championship by returning to his home state of Missouri on Wednesday and Thursday this week. The driver made two stops, a surprise visit to the Bass Pro Shops General Manager’s conference in Branson and to the State Capitol of Jefferson City to be honored by state dignitaries. The theme of the 2010 edition of Bass Pro Shops General Manager’s conference “Crossroads” could not have been any more appropriate, as the company looks to turn the next corner in their own history so too does Earnhardt Ganassi Racing’s Jamie McMurray. This very reason is why Bass Pro Shops Founder/CEO, Johnny Morris invited McMurray to be a surprise guest for their dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 24. McMurray’s story of inspiration and perseverance brought this group of manager’s and corporate representatives from Bass Pro Shops to their feet as McMurray revved the engine of his replica Daytona 500 winning car, driving it right into the ballroom where the manager’s were seated for dinner. The Bass Pro Shops family is just that, a family, and the manager’s welcomed McMurray into their family with a standing ovation. Johnny Morris then presented McMurray with a special gift from the company, not only recognizing Jamie’s success on the race track but forever tying Jamie to his home state of Missouri. Jamie was presented with a set of Indian artifacts - stone axe heads, found buried on the site of what is now modern-day Joplin, MO (Jamie’s hometown).
Governor Jay Nixon and Senator Gary Nodler of the 32nd District welcomed McMurray to the state capitol on Thursday, Feb. 25 to honor him by proclaiming the day as Jamie McMurray Day in the state of Missouri. Upon arrival to the Jefferson City Airport, McMurray was greeted by Missouri State Troopers ready to escort him to the state capitol to be honored. However, this was no ordinary motorcade as McMurray and Bass Pro Shops Founder/CEO Johnny Morris proceeded to drive away in a replica of McMurray’s Daytona 500 winning #1 Bass Pro Shops / Tracker Boats Chevrolet. Upon arrival to the state capitol, McMurray and Morris were greeted by hundreds of fans and legislators ready to honor their accomplished Missourians. Governor Nixon then proclaimed the day as Jamie McMurray day and also recognized the accomplishments of Bass Pro Shops Founder before the two were whisked into the State Senate Chamber and State House of Representatives. The gentlemen were once again recognized before each group of legislators. The two then headed off to Senator Nodler’s office for a lunch reception, photos, and many an autograph signing as legislators and office assistants came to see the most recent sports hero from Missouri.(EGR)(2-27-2010)

McDonald's to sponsor McMurray? UPDATE: Hearing McDonald's will sponsor Jamie McMurray's #1 Chevy in some capacity in 2010. No word if they will still sponsor any of the Richard Petty Motorsports cars. McDonald's sponsored the #43 RPM Dodge of Reed Sorenson in a few 2009 races.(2-18-2010)
UPDATE: Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray will be sponsored by McDonald's for 11 Sprint Cup races this season, beginning with Sunday's event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a source close to the situation tells ESPN.com. The source said the deal has been in the works since last year and was not sparked by McMurray's win in the 500. Earnhardt Ganassi Racing has been looking for a second primary sponsor since Bass Pro Shops, on McMurray's car for the 500, announced last season it was cutting back on the number of races it would sponsor the #1 car.(ESPN.com)(2-25-2010)

McMurray Enjoys Victory Tour Through San Francisco: Daytona 500 champion #1-Jamie McMurray celebrated his victory with a true taste of Northern California in San Francisco on Wednesday, complete with Dungeness crab, world-class chocolates and a bottle of Sonoma Valley wine. McMurray took the checkered flag in the Great American Race on Sunday, and arrived in the Bay Area just three days later for a San Francisco Victory Tour onboard a motorized cable car led by a California Highway Patrol escort. The appearance also marked the Official Countdown to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend at Infineon Raceway, June 18-20 (Father’s Day weekend).
McMurray and his wife, Christy, enjoyed a one-of-a-kind tour of San Francisco, crossing the historic Golden Gate Bridge and visiting Grotto #9 at Fisherman’s Wharf. McMurray learned how to crack a Dungeness crab under the guidance of co-owner Anthony Geraldi. The tour continued to Ghirardelli Square where the McMurrays received a basket of gourmet chocolates and were treated to ice cream sundaes.
The cable car ride culminated at Willie Mays Plaza, at the home of the San Francisco Giants, where McMurray greeted race fans and the Northern California media. Giants Vice President Russ Stanley presented McMurray with an official team jersey, complete with his name and car number on the back. “I have to say, New York was cool, but San Francisco has been awesome,” said McMurray after the tour. “The weather is beautiful and it’s so great to see the fans come out here. As a driver, you can’t imagine what this means to me. It’s been wonderful.”
Raceway President Steve Page also presented McMurray with a commemorative magnum of Sonoma Valley wine. “What great representatives Jamie and Christy are for the sport,” said Page. “It’s terrific to have someone who is a great road racer and has a good history at our track win the Daytona 500. We’re really excited to see him back in Sonoma in June.” Fans joined the Victory Tour onboard a fan-only cable car, which followed McMurray’s lead cable car on its celebratory route. The fans purchased seats on the tour as part of a special ticket package offered by the raceway, which included a weekend ticket to the Toyota/Save Mart 350. Tickets are now available for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway, including special packages featuring drivers Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson. Be sure to call 800-870-RACE or visit www.infineonraceway.com for more information.(Infineon Raceway)(2-18-2010)

Jamie McMurray's Appearance On Letterman: Jamie McMurray's Daytona 500 victor's celebration is complete with a trip to CBS' "Late Show." And you know David Letterman couldn't resist the pull of that vortex known as "the pothole." As Letterman congratulated McMurray, he asked about the length of the race, which was extended because of a pothole in the track. Letterman: "You have issues with potholes in the parking lot, not in the racetrack, for God’s sake." At the end of the interview, Letterman asked, "Will there be potholes in future races?" McMurray replied, "We hope not." McMurray was a good sport throughout the interview.(Sporting News)(2-16-2010)

McMurray’s Daytona 500-Winning #1 Chevy Inducted into Daytona 500 Experience: Winning the most prestigious race on the NASCAR circuit finally started to sink in Monday morning for 2010 Daytona 500 champion Jamie McMurray, who celebrated with his Earnhardt Ganassi Racing team during the Daytona 500 Champion’s Breakfast at Daytona 500 Experience. “It’s kind of sinking in,” McMurray said. “Every time we do something it’s a little more real. Whether it’s getting the jackets or the ring or just everything that’s a part of this, it’s just really, really exciting.” After a late night of celebrating their coveted victory in “The Great American Race”, the team handed over their #1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevy to be inducted into the attraction’s Gatorade Victory Lane. The winning car will be on display until next February when it will be returned to the team prior to the 53rd annual Daytona 500. Winning crew chief Kevin “Bono” Manion was enjoying the surreal experience.
“Everything’s been in fast forward,” Manion said. “Pictures, media center, inspecting the car, pushing the car to the trailer to come over here and then a couple hours of sleep for some of us. It’s just been so exciting. (On) rain delays you stay over but winning the race and you have to stay over and have breakfast -- that's pretty cool.”
Also enjoying the festivities was co-owner Chip Ganassi, who is one of only two owners to win both the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500. “Jamie showed me a text from (last year’s Daytona 500 champion) Matt Kenseth where he said, ‘You’ll never want this day to end.’ I agree completely. I don’t want this day to end. “You have a complete flashback of your entire racing career -- thinking about the possibility of something like this happening. You’re always shooting for that and you’re always trying for that. It’s just so reflective right now. Every sacrifice you made and every tough meeting I’ve had with a crew chief or a driver – the ups and downs of this business. It all seems worth it now.”
McMurray, who also unveiled the logo for 53rd annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 20th [2011], is now on a whirlwind media tour making appearances on Late Show with David Letterman [Monday at 11:35pm/et CBS] and Live with Regis and Kelly [Tuesday morning, check local listings] in New York City as well as making stops in San Francisco and Los Angeles before Sunday’s race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA.
Despite his hectic upcoming schedule, McMurray knows the memory he’s going to take away from all of this.“The thing that I’m going to remember is getting out of the car and running up and grabbing the flag and then running back down and seeing the Daytona (painted) in the infield (grass) and seeing ‘Daytona 500’. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that. That’s the memory I have burned in my head right now of the 500; that’s something I’ll never forget.” The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will return in July for the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola July 1-3. For tickets, call 1-800-PITSHOP or visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.(DIS)(2-15-2010)

McMurray wins the Daytona 520: #1-Jamie McMurray held off a hard charging #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the last lap of the 2nd green-white-checker try to win the 52nd Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. The race ran an extra 8 laps, for 208 laps and 520 miles. The win is McMurray's 4th of his career [1 win in a Chevy, 1 win in a Dodge, 2 wins in a Ford] and 2nd at Daytona. The race took just over 6 hours to run as there were two lengthy red flag for holes in the turn two area that needed repair. #16-Biffle, who led going in to the 1st green-white-checker, finished 3rd, followed by #33-Bowyer, #00-Reutimann, #56-Truex Jr., #29-Harvick, #17-Kenseth, #99-Edwards & #42-Montoya. #24-Gordon and #7-Gordon got together on the last lap, but NASCAR let McMurray & Earnhardt race to the checkered flag. 4-time Sprint Cup champ had a rear-end go out late in the race and finished 35th. Pole sitter $5-Martin finished 12th. McMurray is the 34th different winner of hte Daytona 500 in 52 runnings. The last nine Daytona 500's have had nine different winners. There were two red flags for over two hours of downtime. There were 9 cautions for 40 laps. There were a record 21 leaders with 52 lead changes.
See race results, awards, laps led and more on Jayski's Daytona 500 Race Results/Awards page
See drivers points standings on Jayski's Drivers Points Standings page.(2-14-2010)

Most NASCAR drivers don't fare well in Rolex 24: Full-time NASCAR drivers were shut out from the winner’s circle and even podium finishes Sunday at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The 24-hour race was won by the Porsche of Action Express Racing driven by Joao Barbosa, Terry Borcheller, Mike Rockenfeller and Ryan Dalziel. They finished 50 seconds ahead of Chip Ganassi Racing’s car driven by Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas as well as Germain Racing part-time Cup driver Max Papis and IndyCar Series driver Justin Wilson. Ganassi’s other car – co-driven by his Cup drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Jamie McMurray as well as his IndyCar Series drivers Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon – blew an engine while leading less than nine hours into the event at Daytona. About half the field did not finish the race, including four-time defending Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson as his Bob Stallings Racing car had an oil pump issue and retired with about four hours remaining. Richard Petty Motorsports had two drivers in the field. AJ Allmendinger drove for Michael Shank Racing and was in third when his engine blew less than two hours prior to the finish and the team had to settle for seventh. Paul Menard drove for Spirit of Daytona Racing, which retired before the halfway point and wound up 32nd. Roush Fenway Racing Nationwide Series driver Colin Braun had the best day of the NASCAR contingent as he was part of the fourth-place Krohn Racing team. TRG Motorsports’ Bobby Labonte drove one of the team cars and was leading before running out of fuel and having to be towed back to the pits with about five hours remaining. Other mechanical issues plagued the team, which finished 16th overall, ninth in the Grand Touring class. Part-time Cup driver Boris Said was part of a Turner Motorsport team that finished 15th overall, eighth in the GT class.(Scene Daily)(2-1-2010)

McMurray and Montoya test at Disney: Jamie McMurray flew to Orlando, Fla., Tuesday morning for a two-day test at Walt Disney World Speedway with his new teammate, Juan Montoya. It was the first stock car test of the new year for both men and Montoya's first time in a Cup car since last fall's Homestead finale. From Orlando, the pair will head east to Daytona Beach, Fla., where on-track action for the Rolex 24 At Daytona Grand-Am Rolex Series season opener begins Thursday. McMurray, who last raced in the Rolex in 2005, when he was part of a Ganassi Racing team that finished fourth, is part of a four-man ensemble with Montoya, 2009 IndyCar Series champ Dario Franchitti and former IndyCar champ Scott Dixon.(NASCAR.com)(1-28-2010)

McMurray & Allmendinger to run Karts at Daytona: Hundreds of go-kart racers from across the country will spend their holidays at the Daytona International Speedway participating in World Karting Association races on three different courses. The Speedway's three-ring circus includes its famous 3.56-mile road course, the Sprint track in Turns 3 and 4 and the newly constructed quarter-mile dirt track outside Turns 1 and 2. For the third straight year, Jamie McMurray, is expected to return to his racing roots during Daytona KartWeek. AJ Allmendinger, who drives a Richard Petty Motorsports Ford, is also expected to compete in the karts. Meanwhile, Volusia Speedway Park is hosting the second day of its Christmas In Dixie dirt racing program. Those races are sanctioned by the American Kart Racing Association.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(12-28-2009)

McMurray to test for EGR: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing will have a dress rehearsal with Jamie McMurray and the #1 Bass Pro Shops team next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at New Smyrna Speedway. EGR principal Steve Hmiel says it will give the team an opportunity to get acquainted.(FoxSports)(12-2-2009)

Official: McMurray to the #1 car: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced that they will add Jamie McMurray as a teammate of #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, to drive the #1 Bass Pro Shops / Tracker Boats Chevy for the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. McMurray will return to Ganassi whom he raced for from 2002-2005. Bass Pro Shops will once again return for their fifth season as one of the primary partners on the #1 Chevy. The Jamie McMurray Foundation (JMF), created in 2006, was formed to promote awareness of, and raise funding for, research, education and support for individuals and families affected by autism. The JMF is dedicated to bringing the financial backing and support of the NASCAR community, together with the passion and commitment of the autism community to promote better understanding of this challenging disability. Bass Pro Shops, of Springfield, Missouri, will enter their fifth season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as one of the primary sponsors of the #1 Chevy.(Earnhardt Ganassi)(11-18-2009)

McMurray supposedly signs with EGR: Apparently, a one-year deal was inked last Wednesday between Jamie McMurray and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and is expected to be announced sometime on Tuesday. Kevin "Bono" Manion is expected to continue on as the crew chief.(FoxSports)(11-17-2009)

Earnhardt-Ganassi staying with Chevy: Toyota and Richard Childress, who is part of the joint venture which currently supplies Chevrolet engines to Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, gave co-team owner Chip Ganassi an ultimatum for a decision on manufacturers next year. Following several early morning meetings at Texas Motor Speedway, EGR opted to stay with Chevrolet. Ganassi spoke with General Motors Racing manager Mark Kent in a closed-door meeting inside the #1 team's transporter Sunday morning at Texas Motor Speedway and Alba Colon, GM Racing's Chevrolet program manager, camped out in front of the hauler for part of the morning. He also met with Toyota senior manager Andy Graves before making his decision. When asked for a comment after his meetings, Ganassi said "It's nobody's business."(FoxSports)(11-9-2009)

McMurray close to signing new deal? UPDATE: hearing that Jamie McMurray is close to signing a deal to drive the #1 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevy in 2010, announcement could come the week following Martinsville.(10-21-2009)
UPDATE: It’s not etched in stone, but the speculation surrounding Jamie McMurray-to-Earnhardt Ganassi Racing isn’t exactly written in chalk, either. Neither McMurray nor anyone at EGR has confirmed the move, but garage-insiders say there’s a strong likelihood the driver of the Roush Fenway Racing #26 Fusion will replace Martin Truex Jr. in the #1 Chevy next year. The wild-card in the scenario is the sponsor. Bass Pro Shops would like to have an “outdoorsman” type of driver, one who’ll appeal to their customer base. To some degree, Truex Jr. fulfilled that role; less so McMurray, who’s not exactly the world’s most passionate hunter, fisherman or camper.(Ford Racing)(10-25-2009)

McMurray looks to be headed to the #1 car: The merger between Richard Petty Motorsports and Yates Racing all but made it official that Jamie McMurray will move to the #1 at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing next season. McMurray has been in discussions with EGR for several months after being told he would not be re-signed by Roush Fenway Racing to drive the #26 next season. Roush had to shrink from five to four cars to reach NASCAR's four-car cap rule.(See full post at ESPN Insiders)(9-12-2009)

EGR to switch to Hendrick engines? If Team Red Bull does stay in the Toyota camp, that could open up a Rick Hendrick engineering and engine option for car owner Chip Ganassi and driver #42-Juan Pablo Montoya. Ganassi and Montoya are running Chevrolets this season, with engines supplied through Richard Childress. However General Motors' bankruptcy and racing cutbacks have left a number of issues and sponsorships up in the air.(MikeMulhern.net)(8-10-2009)

Roush's Smith talks about 2010 plans: Sunday on "The SIRIUS NASCAR Radio Pre-Race Show", SIRIUS XM's Claire B. Lang spoke with Roush Fenway Racing president Geoff Smith about the possible changes to the team's roster of drivers before next season.
Geoff Smith: "If you're asking about our team plans for 2010, we're settled that Carl Edwards and Aflac, Greg Biffle with 3M, and David Ragan with UPS will be staying put and that sponsorship is going to kind of determine whether or not the #17 or the #26 are going to have to be the teams we shut down and move, if we can."
Smith: "There are difficulties. You just can't assume that a team can transfer intact just because you want it to. There are sponsors that get to vote as to what organization they're going to sponsor. So we have to work through that, which is what I've been saying. I expect, now that the DeWalt cloud has been removed, we're going to move very quickly to lock in the sponsorship and then that sponsorship will determine [whether] the #17 stays or goes."
Host, Claire B. Lang: "Meaning that we could see a past champion, Matt Kenseth, moving?"
Smith: "It all depends on the sponsorships. Our objective is to keep both of those teams (the #17 and the #26) in the Ford Motor Company community. We're hoping that we don't have to keep one and then lose one out of the Ford community entirely. So if we can keep them both in the [Ford] community by shuffling the #17 we would do that. Pretty unlikely that Matt Kenseth or the #17 will move at this point."(SIRIUS NASCAR Radio)(7-27-2009)

McMurray told he is free to 'look around' for a ride; to #1 car?: Roush Fenway Racing has informed #26=Jamie McMurray he is free to talk to other organizations about next season, team president Geoff Smith said on Sunday. But Smith said that is not an indication Roush doesn't want the driver of the #26 Ford associated with the organization in 2010. Smith said Roush is willing to move any of its five drivers with sponsorship to partner Yates Racing next season if that would maintain the current Ford stable. He said most of the drivers are willing to do that, understanding they will be in same equipment with the same technology. The problem is convincing sponsors to move to what is perceived as the "B'' team. UPS, for example, is committed to keeping David Ragan at Roush. "It's not moving apples to apples,'' Smith said from the garage at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
NASCAR has mandated that Roush be at the four-car cap by 2010. Roush currently has five drivers, McMurray, Ragan, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth. Although Edwards, Kenseth and Biffle signed extensions last season, Smith is not opposed to moving one if that keeps all within the Roush/Yates umbrella. "We would be open to any combination to keep them,'' he said. McMurray is considered the most likely to be moved because his contract expires after this season. Smith said it did not make sense in this economic climate to re-sign him to a long-term deal without sponsorship commitment. Crown Royal, which sponsors a portion of races on McMurray's car, has two years left on its contract. Smith didn't rule out that could be moved to Kenseth's car if necessary.
Roush announced earlier this week that DeWalt, Kenseth's long-term sponsor, will not return in 2010. Smith said sponsorship for that car would be cleared up soon. McMurray avoided conversations with the media on Friday and Saturday. He reportedly has been contacted by Earnhardt Ganassi Racing as a candidate to fill the spot being vacated by Martin Truex Jr. in the #1 Chevy.(ESPN)(7-26-2009)

Ganassi plans to fill #1 ride: Chip Ganassi, co-owner of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, on replacing Martin Truex Jr., who is leaving the #1 Bass Pro Chevy for Michael Waltrip Racing next year: "We're going to fill it. Everything's fine. I'm not going out of business. We're going to have two cars (next year). You guys always ask silly questions. I wish I had great answers for you. I'm unable to make things up. All I can tell you is we're fine. We're talking to a few guys, and I'll tell you in due time.. .. I'm a bit of a gambler in that sense. I don't feel the need to announce my plans July 1 like a lot of people do. I'm not going to be dragged into that. We're going to make the best decision at the right time. We're on my calendar. I'm not on anybody else's calendar."(USA Today)(7-25-2009)