In a three hour and 55 minute battle at Dover International Speedway, Jamie McMurray and the No. 26 IRWIN Industrial Tools team pulled together to earn their eighth top-10 finish of the season. After coming close to going a lap down on lap 203, being caught in a wreck on lap 228, and avoiding a huge late-race wreck on lap 385, McMurray posted an eighth-place finish at the "Monster Mile.”
Trouble struck for McMurray on lap 203, as he was racing the No. 42 machine of Juan Pablo Montoya. McMurray’s car was hit from behind as he exited turn two, sending McMurray spinning down the backstretch. McMurray was able to keep his car off the wall and out of trouble. Quickly, the No. 26 team was on pit wall and ready to change the tires, as McMurray knew he had at least one tire going flat. In an effort to maintain their position on the lead lap,Crew Chief Larry Carter calledMcMurray down pit road for left-side tires. On the ensuing lap, Carter called McMurray back down pit road for right-side tires. And two laps later, Carter radioed McMurray again down pit road for additional service to the car. During the final stop, the team pulled out the fenders and added tape to the right-rear quarter panel. McMurray returned to the race track in the 15th position and on the lead lap thanks to the heads-up call from Carter.
Following a restart on lap 361, McMurray noted the handling on his race car was still too tight, but felt like he could continue and maintain his position. On lap 385 a large wreck started off of turn two as the No. 2 car hit the outside retaining wall and came back down onto the track, gathering up 10 cars in the aftermath. McMurray, with the help of his spotter, avoided a number of spinning race cars and debris scattered all over the track. After the dust settled, McMurray found himself in the 11th position.
After the final restart of the race on lap 397, McMurray was able to work his way around the No. 20 race car, and was able to pass two additional cars before the checkered flag was flown on lap 400. McMurray improved 22 positions from the start of the race to the finish.
“I’m really proud of how hard all the guys on this No. 26 IRWIN Industrial Tools team worked this afternoon,” said McMurray after climbing from his Ford Fusion after the race. “The car started out great and then towards the middle of the race, it was everything I could do to stay on the lead lap and keep the car out of the wall. We threw a lot of things at this car and in the end, we were the ones who missed all those wrecks and were able to finish in the top 10. Needless to say, it was a long day, but we hung in there and came out with a pretty good finish.”
When Sterling lost his ride, that really hurt. Then when he failed to qualify the FR car at Bristol it became embarassing. I just am not that interested in Nextel Cup at this point in the season. I imagine I'll be all fired up about Jamie before Daytona. Cheers!
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