Driver Profile: Jamie McMurray

The 2010 NASCAR season has been a year full of teammate rivalries, domination, and especially, a year of firsts. We've seen great racing action and hard fought battles on the track each and every week. We've even said adios to the wing, and brought back the spoiler. We've even seen the young and talented Joey Logano break out of his shell and confront Kevin Harvick after a late race punt for a top 5 position.

But we all know that. This past weekend at Indianapolis will be one for the history books. Chip Ginassi becomes the first ever owner to win the biggest 3 events in motorsports: the Daytona 500 in February, the Indy 500 back in May with driver Dario Franchitti, and the Brickyard 400 this past weekend. Jamie McMurray has been the driver to give Chip 2 out of those 3 major wins. It might sound trite, but 2 out of 3 ain't bad!


Jamie McMurray started his Cup career in 2002 with Chip Ginassi as the replacement driver for Sterling Marlin, who injured his neck in a pretty bad crash at Kansas Speedway and was unable to finish the season. In only his second start, McMurray went on to win his first race: the 2002 UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowes Motor Speedway.

In 2003, McMurray won ROTY honors; 37 points over Greg Biffle even without winning a race that year. He would stay with Chip Ginassi and the #42 from 2003 until 2005. From 2006-2009, McMurray drove for Jack Roush and Roush Fenway Racing. Unfortunately, McMurray didn't excel at RFR.

A couple of years ago, all NASCAR teams were told that they were only allowed to have 4 drivers and teams; those with more, would have to find another team to race for. RFR was one organization that was put into this predicament. The driver who was the odd man out for the 2010 season was: Jamie McMurray with the #26 crew needing new jobs.

Since Martin Truex Jr had announced he was leaving Earnhardt Ginassi Racing at the end of last season, McMurray jumped at the chance to work for his old owner again in the #1 Bass Pro Shops/Mcdonalds Chevrolet.


McMurray has won 5 career Cup races including his 2 major wins at the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 this year; he also won the Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway in '09, the Pepsi 400 at Daytona in '07, and as previously mentioned, the UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowes Motor Speedway in 2002.

If i do say so myself, Chip Ginassi and Jamie McMurray is a match made in NASCAR heaven. After being away from Chip for a couple of years, Jamie is back to his winning ways. At age 34, I believe McMurray's career can only go up from here. Yes, he's won 2 of the most prestigious races in NASCAR, but he hasn't and probably wont stop there. Congrats Jamie on the awesome year you are having. You're a great racecar driver.

Oh, and how could i forget. CONGRATS ON BECOMING A FATHER IN THE NEAR FUTURE!

Until next time, i'm Steph Piech for The Finish Line

Racing for the win, or Have at it boys?

"Have at it boys" NASCAR's words at the beginning of the year, telling the drivers that they will be able to police themselves. Have the drivers taken it a little bit too far, perhaps?

We've seen so much hard racing this year, it seems to me like it's more that usual, even between some of the best racers in NASCAR; Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, which started at the very beginning of the season. But the most memorable rivalry/fued has been between, you guessed it, Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski. No matter whether they are racing in Cup together, or Nationwide, you can bet there will be some beatin' and bangin' between the two.

Last night at Gateway International Raceway was no different. It seemed that fuel was added to the fire when Carl and Brad were racing hard with two laps to go, and Keselowski got into Carls left rear quarterpanel, almost spinning him out. Brad was able to steal the lead from Carl, but he charged back hard coming to the finish line. Carl got right on Brads right rear quarterpanel and spun him out in front of the field. Keselowski was hit hard by another car; he was t-boned hard on the right side and his car was obliterated.

You could say that his rivalry started when he wrecked Carl goin' for the win at Talladega... and Carls car was demolished. We all saw that 3,400 pound car flying through the air like a hot wheel; like it weighed nothing. There was controversy about this incident for a while... and it seemed to have died down a little bit.

Until the Sprint Cup circuit made its way to Atlanta Motor Speedway, where the roles became reversed. Brad got behind Carl, and tried to pass (cough cough) wreck him. Well, Carl let Brad pass him, and on the next lap, spun Brad. But, did Carl intend for Brads car to fly in the air like it did? Probably not. Did Brad expect Carls car to fly through the air like it did? Maybe not.

And it all heated up again last night. So, whether you're a Edwards fan or a Keselowski fan.... i'm sure we can all agree that these two guys race hard, and they race to win. Almost everytime they have come in contact with each other, it's always a battle to get into Victory Lane.

Whose side do i take on this seemingly on-going fued? Well... i take Carl Edwards side. I have to be honest... this whole thing wouldn't have started if not for Keselowski. Keselowski wrecked him pretty hard at 'Dega. Keselowski is the one out there almost every week making enemies, not friends. I know racing isn't about who has the most friends out on the track, but you race clean, and that's how you'll get raced back. You must race your competitors with respect. Race others the way you want to be raced. Did Carl intentionally wreck Brad at Gateway? To me, yes he did. But Brad needs to give respect in order to get respect.

And another issue that needs to be discussed: Bob Keselowski. Really? You really think Carl is going to kill your son? It's all Carls fault? C'mon now... didn't you see the Talladega race last spring? Didn't you just watch the final two laps of the race you're commenting on?? And yet, NASCAR doesn't go after you for your comments, but they go after Tom Logano (Joey Logano's father) for wanting to protect Joey. They criticized him up and down pit road. Not saying that what Tom did was right, but i think Bob should be scrutinized the same way. Brad could've killed Carl at Talladega, Bob. Think about it.

NASCAR is a very passionate sport. And the moment the passion is gone, it's time to hang up the helmet. Both Carl and Brad, as they have showed over the past year and a half, show their passion each and every week.

Final thought: Is it racing for the win or have at it boys? From my perspective... it's a little bit of both.

Until next time, i'm Steph Piech for The Finish Line

Off-weekend plans?

Ok, so well all know that the Cup series is off this weekend before they head to Indianapolis and the Brickyard 400. The drivers like to do some crazy stuff during the little bit of time that they have off, and here are just a few drivers who've planned something (source: jayski.com)

-Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski, and Reed Sorenson are all entered into Saturday's Nationwide Series Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 at Gateway International Raceway. For the fourth year in a row, Edwards has planned a charity bike ride from his hometown of Colombia, MO to Gateway, which is a 200 mile journey. Keselowski is scheduled to run a short track race at Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine on Sunday.

-Harvick, Keselowski, and Max Papis are also scheduled to race in the Camping World Truck Series' Campingworld.com 200, also at Gateway.

-Jamie McMurray and AJ Allmendinger are scheduled to compete against the best in karting in the SUPERKARTS! USA Summer Nationals in Shawano, WIS from July 16-18

-Ryan Newman and wife Krissie Newman are scheduled to be attending the Hounds for Hospice Charity Dog Walk, July 17 at the Statesville Soccer Complex.

-Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, and Dave Blaney are scheduled to race at Eldora Speedway during the Kings Royal weekend. They'll be taking on the National Racing Alliance (NRA) Sprint Invaders on friday.

-David Ragan is scheduled to compete in the Legends Million Dollar Race this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend.

-Marcos Ambrose is scheduled to race in a Late Model Pro Stock event at Riverside (Nova Scotia, Canada) International Speedway.

-Kurt Busch and wife Eva are scheduled to vacation in Italy, mainly Rome, Venice, and Tuscany.

-Kyle Busch and Scott Speed are off on a couple's weekend in the Bahamas. Busch's fiance, Sam Sarcinella, and Speed's wife Amanda, will be taping segments for The Racing Chef.

-Juan Pablo Montoya and Jeff Gordon are anxiously waiting for new members of their families to arrive.... anytime now for JPM

-Travis Kvapil will be heading home to Wisconsin to visit with family, have fun, and ride some 4-wheelers.

Some of NASCAR's superstars never stop doing what they love: Racing. It's in their blood; they love what they do, and they don't want to stop. Other's like to get away with their loved ones for a little bit of relaxation. Whatever they choose to do during this off-weekend, they better enjoy it while it lasts. Because before you know, they'll be going GREEN GREEN GREEN at the Brickyard!

Until next time, i'm Steph Piech for The Finish Line

Driver Profile: David Reutimann

David pulled his #00 Tums Toyota into victory lane with tears of happiness rolling down his cheeks. On this night, there would be no rain ruining his parade; just a shower of champagne and coca-cola soaking him.

The "franchise" won his second NSCS race Saturday night at Chicagoland Speedway. He has now proved to all of us in NASCAR nation that he is capable of competing and winning in NASCAR's premier series. I'm sure all of us remember Reutimann's first win... the two-day, rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 last year.

I wasn't surprised that Reutimann broke through Saturday night. So far this season, he has had 4 top 5's as well as 4 top 10's. Despite a few problems, he's had fairly consistent finishes. This win also came shortly after Reutimann signed a contract extension with Michael Waltrip Racing. Ironic isn't it?

Reutimann made a statement with his win. And if you don't believe it, believe Jeff Gordon, a 4-time NASCAR Cup champion, when he says, "I'll tell you, he's pretty damn good."

This win, in a way, erases the invisible 'asterisk' that was beside his 600 win.

In an article released on nascar.com, "there were weekends in which he slept in his pickup truck, wrote checks for racing tires that couldn't be cashed until he picked up his sparse winnings at the pay window and several weeks he didn't know he was going to make his house payments. And that was when he was 30." (Ty Norris)

I'd say Reutimann has come a long way in just a short amount of time. He's given Michael Waltrip and MWR as a whole, something to be proud of, along with future success.

Until next time, i'm Steph Piech for The Finish Line

Biggest, Baddest, and Meanest: Meet the Intimidator 305

Giga-coaster: Noun- a complete-circuit roller coaster with a height of 300 feet or taller

Think you can handle a giga-coaster? How about the Intimidator 305? Yes you are correct if you think this coaster is named after the late and great Dale Earnhardt.



The Intimidator 305 can be found at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia. This is only the second giga-coaster ever built in North America, and it is the fastest and tallest coaster on the East Coast. The highest peak is 305 feet tall where the lift hill meets an 85 degree angle drop and speeds along the tracks clocking about 90 mph! The length of the ride equals approximately 3 minutes. Probably the best (or worst) 3 minutes of your life... depending on how much of a thrill seeker you are.

The ride opened in April of this year. So, if you're anywhere in the Virginia area, or surrounding states, and you absolutely love roller coasters, i think this is one coaster you NEED to ride.

more info can be found at http://www.intimidator305.com/public/ride/

Until next time, i'm Steph Piech for The Finish Line

Driver Profile: Steve Park

How many of us remember... we may have to go and dig into our memory banks... the time period between 1998 and 2003? What makes this time so special and memorable? To me, it was Steve Park.

You might be wondering why i am doing my driver profile this week on Steve Park. Well, this past weekend during the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway, i was shocked to see that Steve Park was actually in the race. I haven't heard his name since he left the Cup series in 2003. What surprised me even more, was his top 15 finish in what i think, was another crazy night race at Daytona.

Another reason why my driver profile is on Steve Park is because some of the newer generation fans may not and haven't heard his name before. If you live in the northeast, then you've probably heard of him. How many of us remember that #1 Pennzoil Monte Carlo for DEI? I know i always will. Him and Michael Waltrip were two of the best teammates at the time. Michael is a great spokesperson for Napa Auto Parts, and Steve was the same exact way with Pennzoil.

His first year in Cup began in 1998, when he battled Kenny Irwin Jr for ROTY honors. Unfortunately, this was one battle he had to put on the back burner due to a crash at Atlanta Motor Speedway, suffering a broken right femur, broken left shoulder blade, left collarbone, and two chipped teeth. Due to this accident, he had to sit out for 5 months of the 1998 season. He came back in 1999, with a new addition to the crew chief position: Paul Andrews. With Andrews on top of the war wagon, Park was able to move from 34th to 15th in the standings.

The year 2000 was a year of firsts for Park. Not only did he get his first Bud Pole Award that year, but he also got his first victory coming in the 90 lap event at Watkins Glen International on August 13. His stats for that season: 13 top 10's, 6 top 5's, and finished the year 11th in the points standings.

Every NASCAR fan knows that 2001 was a tragic year for the sport; we lost one of the greats, Dale Earnhardt. Sometimes i wonder if he would still be racing today if he survived that horrible wreck. But... he's gone and it sucks that we can't do anything about it. I never had a chance to watch him race, but i sure would've liked to.

A week after Dale lost his life, Steve Park won the second Cup race of his career at Rockingham. Park describes his feelings about Earnhardt from victory lane: "Dale was more than my car owner, he was a close personal friend. I learned more than what it meant to be a Winston Cup driver from him, I learned what a friend can be. I will miss him deeply.That was the most incredible emotional roller coaster I’ve ever been on. To be able to fight back the emotions I was feeling in the last five laps and do what Dale had taught me to do and that was just to stand up on that seat and drive the hell out of that race car."

In September of '01, Park was in an accident in the Whelen Busch Series #31. On the lap 20 restart, his car veered uncontrollably to the left. Larry Foyt, who had nowhere to go, struck Parks' car. The car finally came to a stop at the inside wall and he remained in the car for 20 minutes after the crash until track crews were able to cut the roof off and extract him. He missed the rest of the '01 season, as well as some of the '02 season, due to a concussion he suffered during the wreck. His return came in March 2002 at Darlington Raceway where he started 4th, which had been his best qualifying effort of the season. Paul Andrews was replaced with Tony Gibson in the crew chief position. He only had 2 top 10 finishes and and wound up in 33rd in the points. Over the off season, the team made personnel changes which included a new pit crew to get Park back in the right direction.

The 2003-2004 seasons would come as a shock to Park. He was released by DEI on May 5, 2003. When one door closes, another one opens. Richard Childress picked Park up to drive the #30 AOL/RCR cup car which had been driven by Jeff Green previously, and to no ones surprise, replaced him in the #1 Pennzoil car. Steve had no harsh words to DEI, just memories he would remember. "I will always look back on my years of driving for DEI with much happiness. Together the Pennzoil team and I shared many great memories of winning races and pole positions. It will always be an honor for me that I was the first Winston Cup driver for owner Dale Earnhardt."

In September, Richard Childress made an annoucement that Steve would be released, but would finish out the 2003 season at RCR.

In 2004, he had the opportunity to jump into a NASCAR Craftsman truck and drive the #62 Dodge for Orleans Racing, replacing Brendan Gaughan. “It is my privilege to drive for Orleans Racing and Dodge. I enjoy the Craftsman Truck Series. It is one of the most competitive forms of racing. This team is certainly one of the most competitive in the sport, and I look forward to challenging for the championship this year.”

2005
Drove for Orleans Racing in the NCTS- earned a victory at Fontana

2006
Drove for Harris Trucking in NCTS

2008
Drove for NOS Motorsports in NASCAR Camping World East Series

2009
Drove for NOS Motorsports in NCWES- earned a victory at Adirondack; won the series Most Popular Driver Award

This is just a brief overview of Parks career. It would take too long to describe how great a driver he really is. Unfortunately, i feel like that collision in 2001, really kept him from becoming what we all thought he could do in the Cup series. He was able to show us that he was still capable of getting top 15 finishes in Cup this past Saturday night at Daytona. For all the haters, yes i know it was a restrictor plate race and a lot of good cars weren't able to survive the night. But give the guy a break. He hasn't raced in Cup for a while, and he finishes a race in 13th. Congrats Steve Park, you truely deserved it, and you also deserve to be back racing in NASCAR's top division.

Until next time, i'm Steph Piech for The Finish Line