Not much has gone right for Jamie McMurray since winning at Daytona International Speedway last July. He’s had only five top-10 finishes in the 35 races since 2007’s Pepsi 400, but there’s something about being a defending champion of a race that can raise your spirits. McMurray edged Kyle Busch by inches at Daytona last year in the final restrictor-plate race for NASCAR’s old Cup car. The win was the second of McMurray's career and snapped a six-year winless streak.
McMurray’s No. 26 Roush Fenway Racing Ford will sport a special Irwin Industrial Tools paint scheme in this weekend’s Coke Zero 400 at Daytona, a scheme similar to the one used last year.
McMurray hasn’t been close to victory lane this year, with a best finish of eighth at Martinsville earlier this season. He was 18th at Infineon Raceway and 41st last weekend at New Hampshire after being in a crash with Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Suddenly, the oft-temperamental, 22-year-old driver has been thrust into the role as the most coveted free-agent driver in the Nextel Cup Series and is drawing more interest from race teams than even Dale Earnhardt Jr. was. Fifteen races into this season, he is 11th in points. His crew chief, Alan Gustafson, can only hope that his race team can maintain its focus and make the season-ending Chase for the Nextel Cup. Gustafson does expect that he will be competing against Busch in the future for several Nextel Cup victories. He also added that Busch does need to mature a little bit.
"Actually, I'm just kind of flattered and excited about all the interest and phone calls that we've gotten," Busch said. "I haven't talked to any representatives from any teams. "I've got people that stand behind me that do that stuff for me, so when it comes down to the point where I feel like there's some people I need to talk to, we'll definitely sit down." "I'm interested in talking to anybody who wants to talk, so whether it's DEI, whether it's Gibbs, RCR, [Ray] Evernham, [Robert] Yates, whoever's got an open seat," Busch said, "whatever, let's go, let's sit down. Let's have dinner."
Car owners can hope they will be able to spark a change in Busch's oft-bitter persona. After all, he has gone through a great deal at such a young age without the warnings of exactly what it would take to adjust to a grueling NASCAR lifestyle. As of now, Busch is preparing to find his new home.
I am thinking dinner will not include Frosted Flakes.
Jeff Gordon has a lifetime contract and Du Pont is signed through 2008. He is not going anywhere and I don't think Du Pont is either. Du Pont and Gordon go together just like Richard Petty and STP.
Jimmie Johnson and Lowes are signed through 2010. There will be no movement here either. I know, I know, nobody expects Gordon or Johnson to move. Bur bear with me. I am just sitting the table here.
Kyle Busch is signed through 2008 as are Car Quest and Kellogg's. Again, no movement here.
Casey Mears is signed through 2008 as well. However, the National Guard is not signed beyond this season. So Hendrick needs a sponsor here. Is Budweiser and Dale Jr. the answer? I honestly hope not. I would hate to see Casey Mears get done this way. Hendrick has a pretty good reputation. I don't think he wants to sully it.
Of course, I never thought Jr. would leave Dale Earnhardt Incorporated (DEI) this season either. Shows how much I know.
It would be easy to do. As the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series picture begins to come into focus teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are battling early for the championship. But Kyle remains in site of the leaders poised to strike should they stumble. On Sunday, behind Jimmie and Jeff finishing in fourth place was the familiar number five with the Kelloggs sponsorship. Consequently Busch sits fifth in the points standings.
Busch drove like a veteran saving his equipment on the small paperclip that is Martinsville. As the race ran down he moved up from sixth to fourth but the number 11 Fed Ex Chevy of Denny Hamlin proved too tough to pass as Hamlin finished third. "We had a pretty good car," Busch said. Earlier in the day his car had been loose in and tight off. But by the end of the race the Hendrick Motorsports team had that adjusted and the car was right. That's what Championship teams do.
Kyle Busch, a native of Las Vegas, traditionally has run well at the three NASCAR stops that are nearest to his hometown. Of the three West Coast ovals on the NASCAR circuit (California, Las Vegas and Phoenix), Busch has earned two Cup victories, two Cup poles, one Busch Series pole, 11 top-10 finishes (Cup and Busch Series combined) and led a total of 341 laps.
"I love West Coast racing. Maybe the positive attitude has something to do with it. I don't know. It just seems like we run well every time we're in the Pacific Time zone,'' said Busch.
"California Speedway in particular really fits my driving style. I think it's because of how flat it is. The track just clicks for me personally and the 5 Cup team. So, I guess it's not expecting too much to think it will click for the Busch (Series) team as well."
"But all this must be suffered by those who profess the stern order of chivalry" Most Interesting Blog, June 16, 2008 and six other occasions. Lisa awarded him Best "breaking news" blogger March 31, 2008. Blog of The Day, Christmas Day, 2007. edhardiman wrote, "Falco's tribute to Rocket Richard reminds us all the stars of today stand on the shoulders of giants..." October 23, 2007. Three Golden Swirrly p00p Awards (Hockey, NASCAR and Use of Graphics), FlyingPig, July 18, 2007. 2007 Memorial Day Weekend Trifecta sponsored by williamwilman . Featured on WFORacingFans April, 2007. "Stylin'" award, Dusty, February 07. "One of ten new bloggers to watch" Dudski, January 2007.
