Jeff Owens: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's Jamie McMurray the sleeper to win Daytona 500
Jamie believes he got a shot to win Sunday's Daytona 500.
// LaDon George, NASCAR ILLUSTRATED
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Jamie McMurray kept saying he felt more comfortable returning to Earnhardt Ganassi Racing than he did in the high-pressure environment of Roush Fenway Racing.
He had no idea just how comfortable he would be until he climbed into his red and black Chevrolet with the big fish on the front.
McMurray was a serious contender in the Budweiser Shootout Saturday night, running in the top five all night and constantly annoying the leader.
When Carl Edwards was out front early in the race, he had McMurray glaring into his right-side window.
When Tony Stewart was darting in and out of traffic, trying to get to the front, McMurray was either knocking on his bumper or leaning on him from the side.
And when Kevin Harvick emerged at the front, winning the race in the end, McMurray was right there, following Harvick and Kasey Kahne to the caution flag that halted the wreck-marred finish.
No matter who was in the front, McMurray was right there, challenging them and making his presence felt.
That’s why McMurray was sporting a big grin after the race, looking more comfortable than he has in five years.
And here’s the thing that really excites McMurray: He was driving his backup car after wrecking his backup backup in practice. His Daytona 500 car should be even better.
That’s why McMurray is a serious contender to win next Sunday’s Daytona 500.
In year’s past, the season-opening Budweiser Shootout didn’t mean much. You could get a hint of who might run well in the 500, but only a hint. Not only do drivers not race their best Daytona cars in the non-points event, but, in year’s past, some of the sport’s biggest stars were always left on the sideline.
The race used to be for pole winners only – with a few exceptions – which left some pretty big guns on the sideline, saving their stuff until the Thursday qualifying races and not showing their hand.
Not anymore.
Thanks to NASCAR’s new rules, all the stars were in Saturday’s season-opening show: Last year’s 12 Chase drivers; former champions; former winners at Daytona; practically anybody who has ever won anything was in the field.
And McMurray was right there challenging all of them.
McMurray is not only comfortable with his new team, he’s in his comfort zone at Daytona and Talladega, where he has two of his three career wins. He won at Daytona in July 2007, and at Talladega last year.
In both races, McMurray raced like he did Saturday night, hanging around near the front, worrying the bejesus out of the leaders and then charging into the lead at the very end.
This year’s new rules package played right into his hands, allowing him to draft high and low and get a run on anyone at any time.
“Honestly, I thought that we had one of the better cars,” he says. “You know, the [Earnhardt Childress] engines run really well. They did a really good job at making the car drive great.
“That's what Daytona is all about. When you can drive in the corner and the car doesn't wash up, you can run wide open on the bottom with guys on your outside, [and] it's really hard to do that. I could run pretty much flat out the whole night. The car was really loose, but you were able to hold it wide open. That's what you work for in practice, to be able to do that.”
That’s why McMurray smiles when asked if he is a serious contender to win the Daytona 500.
“I feel really good about it,” he says. “I mean, every race I finished at Daytona and Talladega, I finished pretty good. Just have to stay out of the trouble ….
“I know our other car has a little more speed in it. I think the aero numbers are better even on downforce, so they tell me that other car is going to drive as good, if not better. Obviously we have a good setup for this track.
“Yeah, I mean, I feel as good about this year as ever.”
That’s why McMurray is starting the 2010 season even more comfortable than expected with his new team.
“It's a wonderful way to start my relationship back with Chip Ganassi and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing,” he says. “It feels great to be back.”
It could lead him back to victory lane, this time in NASCAR’s biggest race.
