Jamie McMurray to join Earnhardt Ganassi Racing for 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing announced on Wednesday that Jamie McMurray will compete for the organization next season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
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NASCAR Scene
Related story: Juan Pablo Montoya excited to have Jamie McMurray join Earnhardt Ganassi Racing
After several months of speculation, Jamie McMurray knows which NASCAR Sprint Cup car he will drive in 2010, and he knows what it’s like to work for his “new” team owner: He’s returning to Chip Ganassi’s stable, where his Cup career started.
McMurray, who drove for Chip Ganassi from 2002 to 2005, has signed a deal to drive the No. 1 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing car beginning in 2010, the team announced Wednesday. McMurray will replace Martin Truex Jr., who is headed to Michael Waltrip Racing to replace Michael Waltrip. He will join teammate Juan Pablo Montoya in the organization.
“I am really excited about this opportunity with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing as I think Juan Pablo and Martin have shown this season their equipment is as good as anyone’s in the garage," McMurray said in a news release. "I am really looking forward to getting behind the wheel of their cars and once again competing for a NASCAR championship. It will also be fun to work with some of the people that I worked with when I was there a few years ago. They have really good people there.
"As an added bonus, I am really happy to have the opportunity to work with Bass Pro Shops as I grew up near Bass Pro’s headquarters in Springfield, Mo., and am a huge fan of their stores.”
McMurray won in just his second career Cup start with Ganassi in 2002 but didn’t win again for the team while finishing 13th, 11th and 12th in points from 2003-2005. The final two years were the first of the 10-driver Chase format, and he barely missed making the cut.
He moved to Roush Fenway Racing as the replacement of Kurt Busch, and he has won twice – in July 2007 at Daytona and then Nov. 1 at Talladega. His best finish in the standings was 16th in 2008. He is 22nd in the standings with one race left in the 2009 season.
The 32-year-old McMurray has 30 top-five finishes in 257 career starts. He also has seven wins in what is now the Nationwide Series and one win in the Camping World Truck series.
“To be able to sign a veteran driver with the talent and experience of Jamie was important to us," team co-owner Ganassi said in a news release. "We know Jamie and understand what makes him tick as a driver. We had a lot of success with Jamie in the early part of his career and are looking for more of the same. We also think he will be a tremendous compliment to Juan Pablo Montoya as well. The duo of McMurray and Montoya creates a very formidable team as we look to continue the momentum that has been established this year in our chase for the championship.”
McMurray’s No. 26 team will be the one cut from Roush Fenway Racing as it scales back from five Cup teams to the NASCAR-mandated four-team cap.
McMurray will drive a car that will have sponsorship from Bass Pro Shops.
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24 responses to "Jamie McMurray to join Earnhardt Ganassi Racing for 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season". Post a Comment.
kahnefan said:
Nov 18, 2009 at 7:37 PMWell finally they announce it. This has been the worst kept secret of the season.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportamalycke said:
Nov 18, 2009 at 7:56 PMI bet that Daytona 2007 win really helped!!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmissouriracefan said:
Nov 18, 2009 at 8:10 PMGood luck Jamie. You have a Missouri fan rooting for you. You will be a great representative for Bass Pro. We are there at least once a week.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmanzytrophygirl said:
Nov 18, 2009 at 8:28 PMWishing Jamie the best in his new ride.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportb48orr said:
Nov 18, 2009 at 11:14 PMJust being honest here, but how can Jamie help Montoya? Montoya is so much better than McMurray its not even comparable. And Montoya's driving style is such that Jamie can't learn from him or can he? I am just baffled by this choice for the 1 car. I hope he proves out but I have no faith in McMurray, how he has stayed in cup another contract just amazes me. I guess a couple wins go a long way these days. Well I guess its wait and see now. Good luck McMurray, I mean it. Your in a chevy now so I gotta pull for ya!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportrichardclower said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 8:30 AMCongrats Jamie and good luck. It's a 1 yr deal because Bass Pro will leave after next year and go with Newman. That's already been made clear so Jamie has another year to prove himself and find new sponsorship for 2011.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjuniegirl said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 8:31 AMGood luck to McMurray, but I still think Bobby Labonte fits with Bass Pro Shops better. And don't say he's too old, look at Mark Martin. And Bobby has a Championship! Oh well, maybe McMurray just needs a Chevy. LOL
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» Confirm Abuse Reportdaviclar38 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 11:07 AMHey didn't Mcmurray and Busch sign new contracts with other teams a few years ago with a whole year still left on their previous contracts. And weren't the owners(Ganassi, Roush) pretty steamed about their drivers switching teams a year in advanced causing the owners no other choice but to let them go to their new teams a year early. This just goes to show that the sponsor had everything to do with Jamie being signed by EGR and Bass Pro. Because I hardly doubt that Jamie was Chip's first choice!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportsstarbraintree said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 12:05 PMI have been watching Nascar for a long time but obviously I have not been paying attention. Jamie said "I am really looking forward to getting behind the wheel of their cars and once again competing for a Nascar championship" when was the first time he did that, does anybody know.can you say mears,sorenson,stremme,yeley
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» Confirm Abuse ReportPhoenix987 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 4:59 PMWorst kept secret since Truex decided to leave EGR.
Report as AbuseHe's not a good fit with Bass Pro, hence the 1 year deal.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportkpierces said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:18 PMAt last, the final death knell for the team that was Kurt Busch's #94 team. Now if only Penske would get smart and let his contract lapse. Well wishes to Jamie at EGR. Hopefully, he'll be given good equipment and not server as a prototype test driver for JP Montoya.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportWerner said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:24 PMKPIERCES...wasn't Kurt in the 97 at Roush?...
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» Confirm Abuse Reportkpierces said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:31 PMYes, sorry it was the # 97.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportkpierces said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:33 PMJack renumber the car to #26 saying that they put the chapter with Kurt to bed and that they were tired of being his apologist. That that was a great way to put it.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportkpierces said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:34 PMKurt came back and put his spin on at by saying he was honored that they retired "his" number.
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» Confirm Abuse Reporttrtruckin said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 6:11 PMHow did an article about Jamie turn into a forum for Kurt haters? I wish Jamie best of luck. I don't think he's anywhere near being the driver all hoped he would be, but if you want a nice guy pushing your product then that's what Bass Pro got. And what's all this hype about the 1 car being so great. Truex hasn't done much with it? Another talent that hasn't lived up to potential....
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» Confirm Abuse Reportnascarnutsheeler said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 6:26 PMThey retired his number because if you remember he acted like a jerk in Phoenix when stopped for speeding he said to the officer, "don't you know who I am?" Roush was probably so ashamed of that number that he dumped it the same time he dumped Kurt. if you remember he didn't finish the season with Roush.
Report as AbuseJamie all the best of luck but being a staunch Ford fan I will say Adious. Don't feel bad,there are a lot of drivers that have never won,YOU HAVE WON.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportracinghcr said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 6:32 PMJuniegirl--in regards to your statement"Jamie needs to be in a chevy"---How many races do you think will he win in one?? He won 2 BIG Races (Daytona and Talladega) in his Roush FORD--I'll bet you he'll never match his Ford Win record in a Government Motors car ! He would still be in a ROUSH FORD if not for the Nascar"Bosses' " PREJUDICE!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportBDAVISON said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 7:16 PMHope Jamie and JPM will be a GREAT team. Glad they didn't announce it as quick as most teams. If they both take of the sunglasses when interviewed it will be an asset. Do not looking ? at a person with no eyes. Really enjoy the interviews like Carl, David Reagan, Dale, Jr. etc. Eye contact is GOOD. Off the subject, but hope JMP and Jamie do well in 2010.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportamalycke said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 9:50 PMThis officially opens up the Gunselman Motorsports ride for Sterling Marlin. Bass Pro was considering the last of the mohekans, Marlin, as he is a great outdoors man.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportfloridagram said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 5:36 AMWish Jamie luck. Always glad to see him win.
Report as AbuseGoJimmieGo.....you are the greatest and the best.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjenny9nelsen said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 10:11 AMSo glad to see Jamie in a car next season. I hope Jamie can win more in 1 car. I wish Jamie luck.
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» Confirm Abuse Reporttrtruckin said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 12:16 PMI don't know where post #17 gets off calling Roush a minority team. He's the only five car team out there and he cried like a baby a few years ago so that he could keep that competitive edge awhile longer so thus was grandfathered. Didn't do ole Jack much good though as he's still a subordinate owner. Maybe if he treated his drivers better they would perform better. Seems like they all like Jack until they leave him and then the little truths about him come out. Best thing Mark ever did was leave Jack and now he says so. Maybe Hendrick is as great as he is because he's a great individual and treats his people right. He gave both Jr. and Martin a chance to resurrect their careers, smart man, dedicated owner.
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» Confirm Abuse Report88_20_42_Fan said:
Nov 23, 2009 at 11:48 AMI think that McMurray is a good driver, he's just never had the equiptment to showcase it. I think he was getting the B-rate equiptment at Roush and Ganassi never was good before.
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