Jamie's Biography

Former Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates driver Jamie McMurray rejoins the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing team for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) 2010 season behind the wheel of the No.1 Bass Pro Shops / Tracker Boats Chevrolet.  Throughout his NASCAR career, Jamie McMurray has raced in the NSCS, NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS), and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (CWTS) with a total of 11 wins, nine pole awards, 60 top-five finishes, and 145 top-10 finishes.

 

McMurray’s racing career began when he started go-kart racing at the age of eight in his hometown of Joplin, MO. He went on to win the World Karting Championship in 1991 which launched him into an impressive motorsports career.  Working his way up the racing ladder, McMurray began racing NASCAR late models in 1992 and competed in the ARCA RE/MAX Challenge series in 1998 and 1999.

 

McMurray then made the move to the CWTS in 1999 and 2000 where he earned two pole awards, one top-five finish, and three top-ten finishes.   McMurray moved onto the NNS in 2001 and 2002, where he placed sixth in the final 2002 point standings.  In 2002, McMurray made quite the impression on the motorsports world when he filled in for an injured Sterling Marlin of Chip Ganassi Racing, going on to win his first NSCS race.  With this victory, in only his second NSCS start, McMurray set the record for the quickest driver to win a NSCS race.

 

McMurray joined Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates in the NSCS in 2003 and remained with the team through the 2005 racing season.  These three seasons are statistically the best seasons of McMurray’s career.  During that time, McMurray secured 18 top-five finishes and 46 top-10 finishes and competed until the end for a spot in the 10-member Chase field every year.  He finished 13th, 11th, and 12th in those seasons. He also earned his first career pole award at Homestead-Miami Speedway and claimed the 2003 Raybestos Rookie of the Year award for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates.  McMurray’s 23 top-10 finishes in 2004 were tied for second most with Jimmie Johnson and behind only Jeff Gordon in the NSCS.

 

In 2006 and 2007 McMurray scored  one win at Daytona International Speedway, one pole award at Infineon Raceway, six top-five finishes, and 16 top-10 finishes. The 2008 season saw McMurray earn four top-five and 11 top-10 finishes, placing 16th in the NSCS Championship.  In 2009, McMurray ranked 22nd in the Championship with one win, one top-five, and five top-10 finishes.

 

Away from the track, McMurray enjoys fishing - a sport he has enjoyed since he began fishing as child. Even when not racing in the NSCS, McMurray competes in go-kart races, keeping up his competitive drive and physical stamina. He also continues to develop the efforts of the Jamie McMurray Foundation which supports autism awareness and autism research programs. Since its launch, the Jamie McMurray Foundation has donated over $200,000 to Autism Speaks and other autism research charities.


Source: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Website http://earnhardtganassi.com/drivers/bio.cfm?did=3511