One of the worst kept secrets in the NASCAR garages was confirmed late Wednesday when Earnhardt Ganassi Racing said that they had hired Texas Motor Speedway winner, Jamie McMurray to drive the #1 Chevrolet starting next year.
McMurray started his Sprint Cup career with Chip Ganassi replacing an ailing Sterling Marlin (who recently announced his final retirement from Sprint Cup Racing). He won in only his second start.
Moving over to Roush Racing, from 2002 to 2005, he became a free agent for 2010 because of NASCAR rules capping racing teams at four cars.
Martin Truex, the current driver for the team, previously announced leaving to go to Michael Waltrip Racing next year opening up a spot at EGR.
McMurray and Ganassi issued the following statements.
“I am really excited about this opportunity with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing as I think Juan Pablo and Martin have shown this season, their equipment is as good as anyone’s in the garage. I am really looking forward to getting behind the wheel of their cars and once again competing for a NASCAR championship. It will also be fun to work with some of the people that I worked with when I was there a few years ago. They have really good people there,” McMurray said.
Ganassi was plead to get McMurray back. “To be able to sign a veteran driver with the talent and experience of Jamie was important to us. We know Jamie and understand what makes him tick as a driver. We had a lot of success with Jamie in the early part of his career and are looking for more of the same. We also think he will be a tremendous compliment to Juan Pablo Montoya as well. The duo of McMurray and Montoya creates a very formidable team as we look to continue the momentum that has been established this year in our chase for the championship.”
McMurray started his Sprint Cup career with Chip Ganassi replacing an ailing Sterling Marlin (who recently announced his final retirement from Sprint Cup Racing). He won in only his second start.
Moving over to Roush Racing, from 2002 to 2005, he became a free agent for 2010 because of NASCAR rules capping racing teams at four cars.
Martin Truex, the current driver for the team, previously announced leaving to go to Michael Waltrip Racing next year opening up a spot at EGR.
McMurray and Ganassi issued the following statements.
“I am really excited about this opportunity with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing as I think Juan Pablo and Martin have shown this season, their equipment is as good as anyone’s in the garage. I am really looking forward to getting behind the wheel of their cars and once again competing for a NASCAR championship. It will also be fun to work with some of the people that I worked with when I was there a few years ago. They have really good people there,” McMurray said.
Ganassi was plead to get McMurray back. “To be able to sign a veteran driver with the talent and experience of Jamie was important to us. We know Jamie and understand what makes him tick as a driver. We had a lot of success with Jamie in the early part of his career and are looking for more of the same. We also think he will be a tremendous compliment to Juan Pablo Montoya as well. The duo of McMurray and Montoya creates a very formidable team as we look to continue the momentum that has been established this year in our chase for the championship.”