On a beautiful afternoon in Wine Country, Jamie McMurray, who started from the 18th position drove his No. 26 Crown Royal Ford Fusion into the top five just 30 laps into this afternoon’s Save Mart 350. After running the majority of the race in the top three, McMurray had his dominating run cut short just five laps from the checkered flag. As the checkered flag flew for race winner Kyle Busch, McMurray and the No. 26 Crown Royal were left with a disappointing 18th-place finish.
The No. 26 Ford Fusion was scored in the 12th spot, and by lap 28, when the team made their first of two pit stops. Just three laps after the No. 26 team completed their pit stop, the caution flag was displayed for debris on the race track.
Following the caution period, McMurray restarted the race in the fourth position, and was able to maintain his top-five running position until their next pit stop on lap 68. After all the teams had completed green flag stops, the No. 26 car was once again shown in the third position.
Again, just three laps later, the caution flag was displayed for a wreck in turn 11. This time on the restart, McMurray, who restarted third made a quick move on the car ahead of him, and was able to pass coming to the green flag. This moved McMurray into second place, and chasing the No. 18 car up the hill into turns one and two.
With only 10 laps remaining in the event, it appeared it was going to be a top-five finish for the No. 26 Crown Royal team. However, the caution flag was displayed on lap 101, as the No. 44 car went off the track in turn 9.
As the top five cars entered turn 7 after the restart, McMurray was hit from behind by the No. 29 which slid McMurray sideways into the side of the No. 20 car, taking out all three cars. With minimum damage, McMurray quickly jumped back into line, but lost more than 18 positions and was forced to restart the race in the 20th position.
“It’s so hard to believe what happen to us there at the end of the race,” said McMurray following the race. “I haven’t seen the replay, but from what I can tell, I was hit from behind by the No. 29, which sent us sideways collecting the No. 20 in the process."
Falcons...I have some great pics of Jamie from the weekend. He was doing great, thought it would be him or Smoke for the win for sure. Wild finish out here.
14F...that was a damn shame for Jamie. He had third locked up.
Amazing how all the veterans drive crazy during the last 10 laps (at any track). Especially someone like Harvick, who likes to shoot his mouth off about what other drivers should be doing.
I agree with Hanahan, Now Kevin of all drivers after last year being taken out by Montoya etc and being so mad about it would have known better. NOT !
Talking about Montoya, did you see him bump Jeff Burtons car trying to get back up to Ambrose ? It was on the live feed from above and they never showed it. The announcer caught it and thought he was going after him.. Falcon he showed what he and the team can do and use it to stay focus and get them next week. Cheers
Kevin Hardhead Harvick. Reminds me of a bad priest. Do as I say not as I do..LOl...Hey Next year Jr-Smoke motorsports. Will have 3 drivers. Truexx, Stewart, and McMurray. Wait and see if I can call it...
Falcons- nothing on Jamie or Smoke. I did find out that Ryan's crew has been told they will know what he is doing in July, none of them have any idea, about half think he is staying and about half think he might go.
I have a Jamie shot (funny one) on the race report and will post others when I get them all downloaded. If you send me your email via foxmail I can send you all the good Jamie ones...of course you can share them!
After that fiasco last year with no penalties for Kevin or Juan, NASCAR lost all its credibility with me regarding who they penalize and who they don't. I will defend them regarding their positions on penalties in discussions with photo no more. It's pretty much the WWF as far as I am concerned at this point.
Cup races have been a lot more enjoyable for me the last two weeks that's for sure. And we just broke into the top 20 in the driver's points race so THE CHASE isn't an impossibility.
I guess I forget all the peripheral Dale Jr. fans don't watch the Natiowide series. All they know is JOOOOONYER! So they don't know about Marcos or even about JR Motorsports. The Big Dummies!
I was gutted for Jamie, Smoke and Marcus. I thought Jamie ran a first class race and I was so excited for him and his fans. Better luck next time, lad.
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