Jamie McMurray renews contract with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing – NASCAR news
According to a report by jayski.com, 36-year-old Jamie McMurray has extended his contract with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing for their 2013 Sprint Cup campaign.
This will be McMurray’s fourth consecutive Sprint Cup run for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. Over the last three years, McMurray has not enjoyed much success racing for EGR. 2010 was his best season with the team when McMurray finished 14th on drivers’ standings
clinching 3 victories, 9 top-5 finishes, 12 top-10 finishes and 4 poles.
Racing for EGR, 2011 was the worst year for McMurray. He ended the 2011 Sprint Cup with no victories, 2 top-5 finishes, 4 top-10 finishes and a 27th place finish on drivers’ standings. 2011 was laced with on-track incidents for McMurray the major one occurring
in Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway when the engine of McMurray’s car, No.1 Chevrolet, blew but he still managed a 37th place finish.
For McMurray, 2012 was very similar to 2011. His 2012 Sprint Cup season started with consecutive crashes in Daytona 500 and Subway Fresh Fit 500. All McMurray could achieve in 2012 were 3 top-10 finishes and a 21st place finish on drivers’ standings.
Considering the above laid statistics while McMurray raced for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, and keeping in mind the fact that the team has been in all sorts of troubles lately, McMurray’s contract renewal with EGR is difficult to comprehend. Nothing is clear
whether or not the contract is just for 2013 or extends beyond that.
In an effort to improve their car, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing have decided to discontinue the use of Earnhardt-Childress Racing engines. Instead, the team will be using engines leased from Hendrick Motorsports. Kevin Manion, nicknamed ‘Bono’, will continue
to perform his duties as the crew chief in 2013.
There have been changes to the sponsorship line-up of No.1 Chevrolet that McMurray will be driving. Bass Pro Shops, who had been a long-time sponsor of McMurray’s car, will be replaced by McDonald’s. Still Bass Pro Shops and Liftmaster will each sponsor
the No.1 in at least one race in the upcoming season.
Disappointed by a poor run in two consecutive Sprint Cup season now, McMurray is hoping that things will be better for him and his team in the upcoming season.
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