Jamie McMurray Captures First Cup Win in 166 Races!

Next stop on the Nextel Cup Schedule is Chicagolandworked his way back up into the top 10.
SpeedwaySpeaking emotionally after the win, "Every driver out
Next week, the NASCAR Nextel Cup teams head willhere that goes through that (a lengthy winless
bring their tornado like speeds to the windy city ofstreak) knows how special this is. I started crying. I'm
Chicago. Chicagoland Speedway is a young NASCARLike, 'What are you crying for?' You're happy,
track still coming into its own. NASCAR has beencelebrating, happy for all the guys." If McMurray can
hosting Nextel Cup races at Chicagoland since 2001Continue to excel in the 2nd half the season, this
with the hopes of capitalizing on the die-hard autoseason my turn to be an emotional one as well. Jamie
racing fans of the Midwest in the 3rd largest mediacurrently sits 50 points out of the 12th and final
market in the US. So far, the initial gamble has paidQualifying spot for the Chase for the Championship.
of.No Love for Kyle Busch
Of all current drivers with 4 or more career starts atWhile it's common knowledge that Kyle Busch is not
Chicagoland, Jimmie Johnson (average finish of 3rd)the most beloved driver for NASCAR fans, it wasn't
leads the pack.apparent until last night that Kyle receives no love
Also expect the following drivers to do well nextfrom his teammates as well. After Hendrick
week:Motorsports announced the release of Kyle Busch
Other drivers to note:after the 2007 season in order to make way for
Kyle Busch - Average Finish 8thDale Earnhardt Jr in 2008, Kyle has complained of not
Kevin Harvick - Average Finish 9threceiving respect from his Hendrick teammates.
Jeff Gordon - Average Finish 10thWhile I've grown deaf to the Busch brothers'
Brian Vickers - Average Finish 10thcomplaints over the years, I admit that after
Next Week's Schedule (all times Central):watching the Pepsi 400, Kyle may vary well have a
Nextel Cup: @ Chicagoland Speedwaypoint. For much of the race, Kyle had the dominant
7/13/07 - 03:10pm NASCAR Nextel Cup USGcar. However, a dominant car at Daytona, or
SHEETROCK® 400 QualifyingTalladega for that matter, does not win you a race.
7/14/07 - 12:20pm NASCAR Nextel Cup USGTeammates win you races (just ask Jamie McMurray
SHEETROCK® 400 Practicewho was pushed to the checkered flag by Carl
7/15/07 - 03:00pm NASCAR Nextel USGEdwards). Had Jeff Gordon actually jumped down to
SHEETROCK® 400the bottom groove in the closing laps to push Kyle
Busch Series: @ Chicagoland Speedwaywhen he had the chance, Kyle would have won.
7/13/07 - 04:45pm NASCAR Busch Series USGTo date, no announcements have been made for
DUROCK® 300 PracticeKyle regarding where he will race in 2008. Is there a
7/14/07 - 10:05am NASCAR Busch Series USGteam out there that can give Kyle the love he
DUROCK® 300 Qualifyingneeds? Make no doubt about it, Kyle is a talent to be
7/14/07 - 02:00pm NASCAR Busch Series USGreckoned with. However, it seems the kid from Las
DUROCK® 300Vegas needs time to mature emotionally before his
Craftsman Truck Series: @ Kentucky Speedwaycurrent or future teammates fully embrace him.
7/13/07 - 06:30pm NASCAR Busch Series NASCARPepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway Recap
Craftsman Truck Series "Built Ford Tough 225This year's Pepsi 400 at Daytona International
Presented by Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers"Speedway was a lesson on how good life is when
Practiceyou work well with your teammates and how things
7/14/07 - 04:00pm NASCAR Busch Series NASCARcan quickly fall apart when you don't. Just ask
Craftsman Truck Series "Built Ford Tough 225teammates Jamie McMurray and Carl Edwards who
Presented by Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers"worked together at the end to finish in 1st and 4th
Qualifyingrespectively. Or, you can ask teammates Tony
7/14/07 - 07:30pm NASCAR Busch Series NASCARStewart and Denny Hamlin who worked against each
Craftsman Truck Series "Built Ford Tough 225other while battling for the lead early in the race and
Presented by Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers"finished 38th and 43rd respectively.
Jamie McMurray Captures First Cup Win in 166 RacesWhile both Tony and Denny are practically locked
The ending to Saturday night's Pepsi 400 was nothinginto the Chase for the Championship (Denny currently
short of spectacular. With numerous lead changessits in 2nd while Tony is in 7th) and were not
over the final 10 laps of the race, it was only fittingseriously affected by their lack of cooperation, both
that the race was decided by .005 seconds. .005Carl Edwards and Jamie McMurray had more to gain
seconds in the NASCAR world translates toby cooperating. By winning the race, Jamie now sits
approximately 15 inches, and made the Pepsi 400 the13th in points with only 50 points separating him from
second closest finish since NASCAR began electronicthe 12th and final qualifying position for the Chase for
scoring in 1993. In those final seconds of the race,the Championship. It only helps Carl Edwards and
Jamie McMurray, with teammate Carl EdwardsMatt Kenseth to have one more teammate qualified
pushing, was able to edge out 15 inches in front offor the Chase.
Kyle Busch to capture his first win at Daytona andOther drivers to note:
only his second in Nextel Cup.Dale Earnhardt Jr suffered major setbacks in the
Despite having one of the strongest cars in the field,Pepsi 400. Once considered a ringer at restrictor plate
Jamie McMurray's win did not come easily. After beingraces, Jr has since fallen from glory. After getting
penalized on lap 31 for passing the leader Jeff Gordoncaught up in an early race wreck, Jr was never able
below the yellow line, McMurray found himself at theto fully recover and finished in 36th. Jr now sits 12th
rear of the pack. However, by lap 123 Jamie hadin points with only 50 points separating him from 13th.