Daytona champ McMurray on pole in California
Share This Story
FONTANA, Calif. (AP)
Jamie McMurray has gone from winning the Daytona 500 to sitting on the pole in California.After a whirlwind week of appearances and interviews as the champion of NASCAR's season opener and biggest race, McMurray got back into the cockpit of his No. 1 Chevrolet on Friday and qualified first with a lap of 183.744 mph at the two-mile superspeedway.
"I am so amazed at the week I've had, and then to come here to be able to be on the pole," McMurray said. "I really can't believe it. It's just pretty awesome."
McMurray captured his fourth career pole, his first at California, and will be joined on the front row by Earnhardt Ganassi teammate Juan Pablo Montoya, who ran a lap of 183.477 mph to qualify second.
Clint Bowyer qualified third in another Chevy, which has an engine also built by Earnhardt-Childress Racing, like the ones in McMurray and Montoya's cars.
Kasey Kahne was fourth in his No. 9 Ford, followed by Dave Blaney in a Toyota. The highest-qualifying Dodge was Sam Hornish Jr. in eighth.
Matt Kenseth, who won at California the last two Februarys, qualified 20th. Kenseth hasn't won a race since opening last season with victories at Daytona and California and this week changed crew chiefs.
Roush Fenway drivers have won the past five February races at California, with Kenseth winning three of the past four. Greg Biffle won in 2005 and Carl Edwards went to victory lane three years ago. Edwards qualified 31st, five spots ahead of Biffle.
When McMurray got to the track Friday morning, he described it as "just a different feeling that I've ever had in the garage area."
After all the responsibilities that came with winning at Daytona, which he said he definitely enjoyed, McMurray still looked forward to getting back into the car. He was feeling even better after he won the pole.
Mark your calendars now. The Coca-Cola 600 begins May 30 at 5 p.m. ET. Looking for more? Check out SPEED's daily schedule.
•2010 Sprint Cup results
"Getting in the car ... it was going to be easier than what I had to do Monday through Thursday. I was like, honestly, whew, I can't want to get back to the race track to I can rest," McMurray said. "It's just been so busy. I've been on such a high the last four days. And I don't think that'll go away if you happen to have a bad run because fortunately you always get to be the Daytona 500 champion."
McMurray woke up Friday morning finally feeling rested but with a sore throat. He took antibiotics to feel better.
"I just didn't want to get sick for Sunday," he said.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Boy, 12, dies after hit by lacrosse ball
A 12-year-old boy has died in upstate New York after being hit in the chest with a la... -
Jacobs sorry for comments about Gisele
New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs apologized Wednesday for saying Gisele Bu... -
'Oil Can' Boyd reveals cocaine use
Former Red Sox pitcher Dennis 'Oil Can' Boyd says he pitched two-thirds of his games ... -
Report: Plaxico wants to join Eagles
New York Jets receiver Plaxico Burress is keen to fly the nest and join the Philadelp... -
Belichick: Force throw to Manningham
Before Eli Manning and the Giants took the field for their eventual game-winning driv...
NASCAR Videos
DW remembers Earnhardt
Posted: Feb 10, 2012
NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip reflects on Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and previews the D...
NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip reflects on Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and previews the D...
NASCAR Drive for Diversity
Posted: Feb 09, 2012
Meet the new class for NASCAR's 2012 Drive for Diversity Team.
Meet the new class for NASCAR's 2012 Drive for Diversity Team.
Tire Testing in Texas
Posted: Feb 09, 2012
Denny Hamlin, Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer, and Greg Biffle talk about testing new ...
Denny Hamlin, Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer, and Greg Biffle talk about testing new ...
NASCAR Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Gordon Black Low Rider Adjustable Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Jeff_Gordon/browse/featuredproduct/603017/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_603000/ff_603017_xl.jpg&w=100 | 21.95 | Jeff Gordon Black Low Rider Adjustable Hat |
| Juan Pablo Montoya Black Black Out Adjustable Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Juan_Pablo_Montoya/browse/featuredproduct/603057/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_603000/ff_603057_xl.jpg&w=100 | 21.95 | Juan Pablo Montoya Black Black Out Adjustable Hat |
| Joey Logano Orange Exhaust Flames Adjustable Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Joey_Logano/browse/featuredproduct/603115/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_603000/ff_603115_xl.jpg&w=100 | 21.95 | Joey Logano Orange Exhaust Flames Adjustable Hat |
| Checkered Flag Juan Pablo Montoya Red Exhaust Flames Adjustable Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Juan_Pablo_Montoya/browse/featuredproduct/603117/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_603000/ff_603117_xl.jpg&w=100 | 21.95 | Checkered Flag Juan Pablo Montoya Red Exhaust Flames Adjustable Hat |
| Dale Earnhardt Jr. Royal Blue Exhaust Flames Adjustable Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dale_Earnhardt_Jr/browse/featuredproduct/616723/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_616000/ff_616723_xl.jpg&w=100 | 21.95 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. Royal Blue Exhaust Flames Adjustable Hat |
| Chase Authentics Jeff Burton Holiday Driver T-Shirt - Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Jeff_Burton/browse/featuredproduct/731363/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_731000/ff_731363_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Chase Authentics Jeff Burton Holiday Driver T-Shirt - Black |
| Chase Authentics Jeff Burton 2012 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Jeff_Burton/browse/featuredproduct/731374/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_731000/ff_731374_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Chase Authentics Jeff Burton 2012 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Black |
| Chase Authentics Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2012 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dale_Earnhardt_Jr/browse/featuredproduct/731376/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_731000/ff_731376_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Chase Authentics Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2012 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Black |
| Chase Authentics Kevin Harvick 2012 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Kevin_Harvick/browse/featuredproduct/731378/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_731000/ff_731378_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Chase Authentics Kevin Harvick 2012 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Black |
| Chase Authentics Matt Kenseth 2012 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Matt_Kenseth/browse/featuredproduct/731380/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_731000/ff_731380_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Chase Authentics Matt Kenseth 2012 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Black |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.