NASCAR

FOX Sports Exclusive

Sources: McMurray signs deal for Ganassi return

Share This Story

Lee Spencer

Lee Spencer is the senior NASCAR writer for FOXSports.com. She has provided award-winning coverage of auto racing over the last 15 years. Spencer has lent her expertise to both television and radio and is a regular contributor to SiriusXM Radio and the Performance Racing Network.

MORE>>
 
Updated Nov 18, 2009 6:36 AM ET
     
 
Jamie McMurray is a Chip Ganassi racer once again. McMurray, 33, was introduced as the driver of the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet starting in 2010 to Earnhardt Ganassi Racing employees at the race shop on Tuesday.

Keeping track

Jamie McMurray
Jamie McMurray
Sprint Cup
Career at a glance
Starts
Wins
Top fives
Top 10s
Laps led
257
3
30
80
904
McMurray has a one-year deal with options, sources told FOXSports.com. McMurray's Cup career began at Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates in 2002 when he subbed for the injured Sterling Marlin. McMurray won his first race in his second career start at Lowe's Motor Speedway. After finishing 12th in the point standings in 2005 season, McMurray parted ways with Ganassi to drive the No. 26 Roush Racing Ford in 2006. Despite the guidance of veteran crew chief Jimmy Fennig, McMurray struggled that first season with seven DNFs — including three engine failures. He failed to finish five of the final eight races of the season and wound up a disappointing 25th in points. Crew chief Larry Carter joined the team in January 2007 and McMurray won his first race for Jack Roush at the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway. The No. 26 team left the beach 13th in the point standings and with a decent shot to make Chase, but the crew wasn't able to capitalize on the momentum and fell to 17th in the standings by year's end. At the start of this season, McMurray received his third crew chief — former Ganassi crew chief Donnie Wingo. McMurray rose from 37th in the points standings following the Daytona 500 to a season-high 18th after Atlanta in March. But with NASCAR's four-car ruling going into affect for RFR next season as well as Crown Royal's decision to support Matt Kenseth in 2010, McMurray knew by summer he was the odd man out. In McMurray's defense, the entire organization has been off in 2009. His win last month at Talladega was the first Roush Fenway Racing victory since Matt Kenseth won at California in February. McMurray is currently 22nd in the point standings, fourth out of the five Roush racers. McMurray will pair with Kevin "Bono" Manion, who is currently crew chief for the No. 1 team and led Martin Truex Jr. to two Busch (now Nationwide) Series titles. Wingo will remain at RFR and lead the No. 6 UPS Ford and David Ragan for 2010.
Tagged: Sterling Marlin, David Ragan, Jamie McMurray, Matt Kenseth

More Stories From Lee Spencer

Fantasy Auto Racing


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NASCAR Videos

DW remembers Earnhardt Posted: Feb 10, 2012
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.

Tire Testing in Texas Posted: Feb 09, 2012
Denny Hamlin, Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer, and Greg Biffle talk about testing new ...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

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
Microsoft© 2012 Microsoft