| | | | | | | 26 - Jamie McMurray | Joplin, MO |
| | Primary Sponsor: IRWIN Industrial Tools
Manufacturer: Ford
Car Owner: Geoff Smith
Team: Roush Fenway Racing Like many NASCAR drivers, Jamie McMurray began to show racing potential in a go-kart at the age of eight. By the time he was 10 years old, he won a United State go-kart title, and in 1991 he earned a World Go-Karting Championship.
He started driving NASCAR late models in 1992 and just five years later McMurray defeated former NASCAR Winston Racing Series champion Larry Phillips to win the track championship at I-44 Speedway.
In 1992, McMurray moved over to NASCAR late models, and several years later – from 1998 to 1999 - competed in the NASCAR RE/MAX Challenge Series. In 1999, McMurray debuted in the Craftsman Truck Series, where in 2000 he earned two Bud Pole awards and had one top-five and three top-10 finishes.
After moving into Busch Series racing, McMurray had a very successful season in 2002. He won twice and claimed six top-five and 14 top-10 finishes, ending the season sixth in point standings.
Also in 2002, Jamie McMurray won his first Cup race in just his second start, while filling in for injured driver Sterling Marlin. He continued to drive in the last seven races of that season, completing six of them and earning one top-10.
In 2003 McMurray began driving the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, where, in his rookie season, he had five top-five and 13 top-10 finishes. He ended the season 13th in the final point standings. He was named Raybestos Rookie of the Year for the 2003 season.
McMurray finished the 2004 season 11th in the point standings, collecting nine top-five and 23 top-10 finishes during the 36-race stretch. In 2005, he had four top-five and 10 top-10 finishes, and the same year he signed a multi-year deal to drive for Roush Racing beginning with the 2006 season.
McMurray’s best finish during his first year with Roush Racing came at Dover, where he finished second to Roush teammate Matt Kenseth. He had a third-place finish at Watkins Glen, and ended the 2006 season with three top-fives and seven top-10s.
| | | | | | |
