| | | | | | FIRED OR FISHING | McMurray out at Rousch Fenway Racing | |
| | Jim Utter / The Charlotte Observer The driver dominoes in the Sprint Cup Series are apparently beginning to fall into place.
Jamie McMurray will not return to Roush Fenway Racing next season and has been actively seeking other employment, the Observer and ThatsRacin.com have learned.
In the past week or so, representatives on behalf of McMurray have notified other Cup teams of his availability beginning next season, multiple sources confirmed on Sunday.
McMurray finished 10th in Sunday's Best Buy 400 - just his second top-10 finish of the season. An attempt was made to reach McMurray after the race, but he left the track without comment to the media or the Ford Racing manufacturer's representative.
McMurray's departure could accomplish two important goals for Roush.
The organization has been in discussions with sponsor Crown Royal to pair that sponsorship with driver Greg Biffle beginning next season, although a final decision has not been made, sources said. Officials with Crown Royal could not be reached for comment on Sunday.
It remains unclear whether the sponsor would move to Biffle's No. 16 Ford, or Biffle would move to McMurray's No. 26 next season. Biffle has been in negotiations with Roush for a contract extension for almost a year, but it remains unfinished.
In addition, McMurray's departure could also open the door for Roush Fenway to move from five to four Cup teams by 2009, one year sooner then required by NASCAR's four-car limits on ownership.
NASCAR officials on Sunday said they have had no discussions with Roush regarding the organization's movement to four teams in 2009.
McMurray entered the Cup series driving for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates with great fanfare in 2002, winning the fall race at Lowe's Motor Speedway while substituting for an injured Sterling Marlin. He went on to spend three more seasons with Ganassi before leaving for Roush in 2006.
McMurray snapped his career-long 166-race winless streak in Cup last season, taking the July race at Daytona Beach, Fla.
He is now 22nd in points, 259 outside the top 12 that will qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
| | Posted June 02, 2008 , 7:52 pm EST
Last Updated June 02, 2008 , 8:31 pm EST | | | | | | | | | | |
