You can see them line up rows deep at souvenir haulers around the country or talking about her on racing message boards. Danica. Danica. Danica.
It’s not a popular name or one that is heard often like those of Michelle, Kimberly, or Tiffany, but it’s a name that specifies a woman that is extraordinary. Even if it’s one name, one word, many know whom it refers to without any more information. If the question were posed though, “You know who Danica is right?” the answer nine out of 10 times would be “yes.”
“Is that the racecar driver?” others might turn around and ask.
Yes, that Danica, NASCAR Nationwide Series and IZOD IndyCar Series driver. With just one word, Danica has joined the ranks of other superstar athletes’ also recognizable by one word: Kobe, MJ, and Tiger, to name a few. She captured the hearts of millions from the beginning and “Danica-Mania” has been in full effect.
“Danica is everywhere: media, online, makes everyone very familiar with her,” says Jeff Smelser of Olympia, WA. Smelser is an avid NASCAR fan with a casual eye for IndyCar events.
The cause of her appeal could be any number of things. Maybe the fact that she does not have a normal nine-to-five job, more like zero to 100 in less than three seconds. Who would not want to be her for a day? Hard to do so might as well jump aboard her fan wagon and go to the top with her. Add in that she learned the art of marketing/branding and there isnowhere you will not see her. Well, except in victory lane.
In 89 races to date – pre-Indianapolis – she had one career win, which was ripped apart for coming on fuel mileage. She has also never won a championship, but did finish fifth in the
final championship point standings in 2009. Still, many contend Danica is not a consistent driver and is an all around failure. Nothing more than a sex symbol that thinks she can drive is a common sentiment; having a sponsor like GoDaddy.com will do that.
Numerous photo shoots, magazine spreads, and commercials have made Danica a household name. Even those that are not racing fans have seen them and know her. To some it’s no big deal. If you have it, then use it Rebecca Kivak, 28, of Wilkes-Barre, PA said. To others it’s simply unacceptable and not where her energy should be.
“I wish she would concentrate more on her abilities as a racer and less on her physical attributes. They speak for themselves,” said Sue Simpson, 54, of Daytona Beach, FL. Simpson said over the years she watched Danica closely, has met her and will be watching Indy. Unfortunately, even if Danica were to win, it would not change one thing.
“I feel she is cheapening her brand [with all the advertisements]. I have a hard time taking her seriously, though I really want to,” Simpson said.
Ignore the fact that Danica is just like any citizen when she is not driving a racecar and can live her life the way she pleases. There seems to be an unwritten rule that not winning means she is not to grace TV.
“Winning is everything,” simply states Matt Kacar of Gallatin, TN.
He is one of many that say Danica is overhyped and overanalyzed. Something that could change by the end of May when IndyCar’s biggest race takes the stage: the Indianapolis 500. Since her debut at the track known as the Brickyard in 2005, talk has been how Danica is destined to win it. By far it’s her best track, but with statistics not reminiscent of how well she
runs. Pretty decent in themselves though: average start of 7.4, average finish is 11.25, in five races.
As a rookie she led, becoming the first female to ever accomplish the feat, and finished fourth. That was the moment that Danica Patrick arrived. The moment everything changed in the racing world. If you did not think she knew what she was doing, you now did. If you had no driver to root for, you now did. Or if you were waiting for a competitive female, the search was complete. Last season Danica kicked it up a notch, finishing third and leaving fans anxious for the 2010 edition. Teams began their preparations for the big race and fans began to clear their schedule for Noon on May 30.
Every driver who qualifies has his or her enthusiasm matched by millions of fans around the world. Racing die-hards, causal watchers of just the Indy 500, and those that tune in to see how Danica does. Do not fear; there are plenty of them out there, whether they choose to admit it. Some curiously wonder if the female can beat the men at their own game. A few, like those mentioned above that criticize her still want to see a victory. It’s what makes her an asset to motorsports, Californian Rex Emerson said.
For fans of Danica’s, to those that feel she gets too much attention, the broadcast of the Indy 500 is bound to have plenty of Danica time. It will come over defending race winners, such as Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon, plus the possible four other females in the field. Only one, however, will have the hopes and dreams of men and women, boys and girls, around the world on her 5-foot-2 inch, 100-pound shoulders.
The pressure and expectations that have been set upon Danica by both her and others will
never be stronger than when it comes to Indy. Heading to a place where many know she is one of the best in the field brings more anticipation for a spectacular run. Of course, that is before the whispers begin of her doing the unimaginable.
“Can you imagine if she wins that race?”
***********************************************************************
The Indianapolis 500 is the biggest auto race in America with a steep tradition like no others in sports. Drivers put their lives on the line for over three hours, at 220 plus mph for the victory of a lifetime: A glass of milk and to kiss dirty, greasy bricks that make up the start/finish line. Repulsive to some, but once a year 33 drivers reach into their heart and soul more than anywhere else for the chance to be able to do it.
When the garages opened for the 94th running, the feeling was already different. The attitude of Danica’s No. 7 GoDaddy.com car and team were not what they should have been. Qualifying 23rd, her first non-top 10 ever at Indy, did little to ease the minds of fans even with another week left to get it right.
“Indy is one of Danica’s best tracks, if not her best,” said Kivak. “I normally would have expected a top five, but knowing of her struggles with her car during qualifying, I was hoping for a top 10 finish.”
Down and out for the win wrote the media while fans said it was no shock she was complaining and making excuses. For 15-year-old Camille Jones of Clayton, NC no matter what happens she stands firm that Danica would never let down the fans. She can drive a racecar like the best of them, even a car that was ill behaving. Somehow she would get it to the front.
Jones is not just another fan of IndyCar’s fastest female; she might be one of the biggest.
Her time is spent on the social networking site Twitter where she fights with those that
speak ill of her favorite driver. Other times she is updating the page, which is decked out in a Danica Patrick background, profile picture and colors, with words of praise and encouragement. Any article about the driver she finds is linked for her followers to read.
When it came time for Indy, Jones once again stood out. She made cupcakes on qualifying day that featured number sevens with lime green and orange sprinkles. From there she followed all the news online, driver “tweets,” and anything else associated with Indy. Jones was ready for the Danica show.
“I knew her car had been really acting up the past few weeks and I was really anxious to see how well she pulled it towards the front of the pack,” she said.
Ratings for the race will show over 252 million people in the United States and abroad had their television stations tuned in. At 1:04 p.m. ET “Back Home in Indiana” was sung by Jim Nabors, by 1:07 the cars were fired and rolling off the grid for the 1:13 green flag. The time for speculating and predicting was over, nothing but pedal to the medal mattered now. Early on contenders fell by the wayside; others asserted themselves as the ones to beat.
With the sun setting on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the early evening, Danica was at the front like Jones predicted, just not the preferred place. Dario Franchitti chugged the milk for the second time in his career, Danica settling for fifth spot after a month happily forgotten. Hearing boos after qualifying, frustration during the week, and ending with members of the team digging deep, Danica’s 2010 Indy 500 was hard fought.
“Overall, I thought her day was pretty darn successful compared to the past few weeks,” Jones said. “Seeing her with a top five sent Danica fans roaring with excitement, she was finally back where she belonged. Until of course the camera shot over to her teammate, Marco Andretti, sitting on the pit wall, visibly frustrated and already whining.”
Andretti’s post race interview was not filled with compliments or congratulations. The young driver insisted three competitors passed him under caution and took his third place spot. For the next few hours as league officials reviewed the tapes, opinions on Danica’s finish continued.
She backed into it, she got lucky because of the wrecks, and it was a matter of strategy by her team played perfectly. Fans will be fans, with their own opinions and theories on every little detail. In the end though the officials get the last word and late that night the announcement was made: Danica made an illegal move and finished sixth, not fifth.
Jones was one of the many that did not agree, but dwelling was no use, Indy was finished. Weeks of working out every detail, car kinks, and aerodynamic numbers were all in the rearview mirror. When asked, relieved and thankful was what Danica told viewers as she took a deep breath. Around the world others did the same.
“Other than that [changing her position], I believe Danica showed us that she can rally to the front and give her car a good finish,” Jones said. “Danica Patrick never disappoints.”
No argument there. Everything she does is broken down, analyzed, and put out for all to see. It’s hard to blame any of them though; these are the fans that live for racing. They do not apologize for it or pretend not to understand. They are the ones that buckle up and experience the thrills and spills with their idols.
A year from now Danica Patrick will give it another shot, leaving Camille Jones and other fans ready to do it all over again too.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
James Buescher and the Agony of Defeat in New Hampshire
Kyle Busch continues to make friends wherever he goes. A few weeks ago it was Todd Bodine calling him dirty. Before that, Brad Keselowski announced that Busch was an ass over the PA system of the Bristol Motor Speedway. Even mild-manner Jeff Burton became red in the face because of Busch earlier this year in Charlotte.
And the fans, well they’re never at a loss of opinions for Rowdy. He’s talented and competitive and for some it rubs off the wrong way. Whether he’s being cheered or booed, Busch won’t complain, he just loves the attention.
Following Saturday’s RacedayRaffleseries.com 175 Busch can add two more drivers that were giving him plenty of attention: James Buescher and Austin Dillon. The two had just finished second and fifth respectively as Busch was celebrating his fifth win of the year in the NCWTS.
“We had a really good shot at victory lane today,” said Buescher. “Everybody on this Wolfpack Rentals team did a great job.”
The source of Buescher’s frustration was the way in which the victory got away. After chasing the dominant trucks of Busch and Kevin Harvick all afternoon, Buescher took advantage when the two got together in turn one. With six laps remaining the caution came out, setting up a final restart that saw Busch drive up and over the nose of Buescher’s No. 31 Chevrolet.
Even after hitting the wall, Busch still went on to win. Buescher settled for his fourth top five, sixth top 10 finish of the season. On the cool-down lap Busch gave the Texan the middle finger.
“He just drove us dirty and got the win and we hung in for a second place finish,” said Buescher.
Dillon on the other hand, conceited Buescher’s points. He was not only rooting for Buescher to beat the two Cup Series drivers but said Busch’s tactics are predictable. Dillon followed it up and noted that Buescher should just wreck him [Busch] next time.
“Kyle [Busch] doesn’t really give you any room,” said Dillon. “If he’s inside of you he’s going to come on in for some reason. He did it to me in Michigan too and I had to check. It’s just how he drives. It’ll all come around, world’s round.”
For Buescher it was another bright moment and impressive stat in the aforementioned columns. Since returning to the NCWTS, Buescher has been one of their brightest stars. He sits 13th in points even though he’s only run 13 of the 18 events.
It’s a wonder what where Buescher would be sitting had he run the full schedule.
The 2010 season started with Buescher in the Nationwide Series for Phoenix Racing and what was expected to be a full-time gig. While he did run the first 10 races, with a best finish of eighth at Daytona in February, he soon departed and headed back to the NCWTS. A great relationship with Turner Motorsports put him in a decent seat and he’s done the rest.
Buescher’s now one of the most consistent drivers on the circuit and pounding on victory lane’s door. Saturday was one of his best shots to do so but it slipped through his fingers.
“There’s definitely mixed emotions,” Buescher said. “Being that close is one thing but getting it taken away from you like that is a totally different thing. If you’re faster, you’re going to pass him but you don’t have to race him dirty and flat out try to wreck you to get the lead and that’s what he did.”
Even at the tender age of 20 Buescher isn’t intimidated by a veteran like Busch. A second place finish is nothing to sneeze at, however Buescher knows that sometimes second isn’t good enough when you should be holding the trophy. Doesn’t matter whether it was bad boy Kyle Busch or four-time champion Ron Hornaday Jr., it still hurt.
A day after the finish Buescher appeared on Speed Freaks radio where he again reiterated that Busch used dirty tactics. Then declared had there been one more lap he would have not only caught Busch, but pulled a move similar to what the driver of the No. 18 had done.
I’m going to win Las Vegas, Buescher then told the audience as he had done after Saturday’s race. Whether it was the frustration of coming so close to getting to victory lane or just losing to Busch, there’s no denying that Buescher is more determined than ever.
He’s young, talented and his career hasn’t even begun to take off yet. If the pairing of Buescher and Turner Motorsports sticks for years to come there’s no doubt that they’ll be in victory lane and eventually the head table of the season ending banquet.
Buescher’s been a quick study and the next time around he’ll know what to do differently. Losing makes a driver hungrier to end up in victory lane. With a team that has been running up front week in and week out, their time is coming.
Don’t be surprised if Buescher does go and win in Las Vegas, he’s got a big enough chip on his shoulder pushing him toward accomplish it.
And the fans, well they’re never at a loss of opinions for Rowdy. He’s talented and competitive and for some it rubs off the wrong way. Whether he’s being cheered or booed, Busch won’t complain, he just loves the attention.
Following Saturday’s RacedayRaffleseries.com 175 Busch can add two more drivers that were giving him plenty of attention: James Buescher and Austin Dillon. The two had just finished second and fifth respectively as Busch was celebrating his fifth win of the year in the NCWTS.
“We had a really good shot at victory lane today,” said Buescher. “Everybody on this Wolfpack Rentals team did a great job.”
The source of Buescher’s frustration was the way in which the victory got away. After chasing the dominant trucks of Busch and Kevin Harvick all afternoon, Buescher took advantage when the two got together in turn one. With six laps remaining the caution came out, setting up a final restart that saw Busch drive up and over the nose of Buescher’s No. 31 Chevrolet.
Even after hitting the wall, Busch still went on to win. Buescher settled for his fourth top five, sixth top 10 finish of the season. On the cool-down lap Busch gave the Texan the middle finger.
“He just drove us dirty and got the win and we hung in for a second place finish,” said Buescher.
Dillon on the other hand, conceited Buescher’s points. He was not only rooting for Buescher to beat the two Cup Series drivers but said Busch’s tactics are predictable. Dillon followed it up and noted that Buescher should just wreck him [Busch] next time.
“Kyle [Busch] doesn’t really give you any room,” said Dillon. “If he’s inside of you he’s going to come on in for some reason. He did it to me in Michigan too and I had to check. It’s just how he drives. It’ll all come around, world’s round.”
For Buescher it was another bright moment and impressive stat in the aforementioned columns. Since returning to the NCWTS, Buescher has been one of their brightest stars. He sits 13th in points even though he’s only run 13 of the 18 events.
It’s a wonder what where Buescher would be sitting had he run the full schedule.
The 2010 season started with Buescher in the Nationwide Series for Phoenix Racing and what was expected to be a full-time gig. While he did run the first 10 races, with a best finish of eighth at Daytona in February, he soon departed and headed back to the NCWTS. A great relationship with Turner Motorsports put him in a decent seat and he’s done the rest.
Buescher’s now one of the most consistent drivers on the circuit and pounding on victory lane’s door. Saturday was one of his best shots to do so but it slipped through his fingers.
“There’s definitely mixed emotions,” Buescher said. “Being that close is one thing but getting it taken away from you like that is a totally different thing. If you’re faster, you’re going to pass him but you don’t have to race him dirty and flat out try to wreck you to get the lead and that’s what he did.”
Even at the tender age of 20 Buescher isn’t intimidated by a veteran like Busch. A second place finish is nothing to sneeze at, however Buescher knows that sometimes second isn’t good enough when you should be holding the trophy. Doesn’t matter whether it was bad boy Kyle Busch or four-time champion Ron Hornaday Jr., it still hurt.
A day after the finish Buescher appeared on Speed Freaks radio where he again reiterated that Busch used dirty tactics. Then declared had there been one more lap he would have not only caught Busch, but pulled a move similar to what the driver of the No. 18 had done.
I’m going to win Las Vegas, Buescher then told the audience as he had done after Saturday’s race. Whether it was the frustration of coming so close to getting to victory lane or just losing to Busch, there’s no denying that Buescher is more determined than ever.
He’s young, talented and his career hasn’t even begun to take off yet. If the pairing of Buescher and Turner Motorsports sticks for years to come there’s no doubt that they’ll be in victory lane and eventually the head table of the season ending banquet.
Buescher’s been a quick study and the next time around he’ll know what to do differently. Losing makes a driver hungrier to end up in victory lane. With a team that has been running up front week in and week out, their time is coming.
Don’t be surprised if Buescher does go and win in Las Vegas, he’s got a big enough chip on his shoulder pushing him toward accomplish it.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
JR Motorsports Finally Back In a Familiar Spot After Victory at Atlanta
When Jamie McMurray went to victory lane on Saturday night in the Nationwide Series, it couldn’t have been more of relief for JR Motorsports who crew chief Tony Eury Sr. said “made a mistake out over the offseason.”
The reason was that for the first time in nearly three years, JRM has found themselves in uncharted territory.
Since the departure of Brad Keselowski following the 2009 season, JRM has slipped from the top of the NNS heap. Keselowski and the No. 88 team had been championship contenders for two seasons, finishing third in 2008 and 2009 while winning multiple races.
The success brought the company much recognition and they became one of the top teams in the series. Many young drivers would be ready to jump at the chance to drive on of their cars and take advantage of great equipment. That type of planning wasn’t done however because no one thought anything would be changing anytime soon.
Except, when Keselowski won the Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega in the spring of 2009 plans quickly changed. The Michigan native demanded a Cup Series ride and no one connected to JRM or Hendrick Motorsports could give it to him at the time, all seats were filled. Roger Penske came calling with an opening and out went Keselowski, leaving the No. 88 open for another driver to get the chance that Keselowski had capitalized on.
During the off-season Kelly Bires became that driver. Unfortunately it wouldn’t last long. A driver change normally means the wins a team is accustomed to won’t come as easily or as often and JRM was prepared for that. Bires though, had past experience in the NNS and was thought of to be permanent piece of the JRM puzzle.
The No. 7 team was supposed to be the guinea pigs as Danica Patrick would be experiencing NASCAR for the first time, while drivers such as Steve Arpin, Scott Wimmer, Landon Cassill and others took turns behind the wheel in her absence.
Instead the revolving door of drivers would also hit the 88 team. Bires was release after just five races of the season. Lack of chemistry was cited and JRM was soon back to square one in searching for the next driver that would be the one to deliver them trophies.
McMurray was called upon for what was supposed to be eight races. Next came Coleman Pressley, Ron Fellows, Greg Sacks and Aric Almirola who happened to be the answer to JRM’s problems.
McMurray though, was the one that would end up helping JRM in the present and in a big way. Atlanta was huge for the company and crew chief Tony Eury Sr. knew it.
“It [the victory] means a lot to our company,” he said Saturday night. “We haven’t really ran up to our expectations all year long. We made a driver change five races into the season, wasn’t happy with what was going on at our place.”
No matter who was in the cockpit the car was a contender, but they weren’t race-winning contenders unless McMurray was driving. In eight races McMurray had six top tens, five top fives, including the win and the lowest he finished was 14th after wrecking on the last lap while racing for the lead at Talladega.
That race aside, McMurray was an owners dream. He wasn’t tearing up equipment, he was finishing and contending for race wins and sponsors and fans loved him. The only problem was that McMurray wasn’t a candidate for the full-time position.
But his making things easy while at the track was given JRM less to worry about and more time to handle the future.
“We really didn’t know what to do, who we wanted to put in it [the 88],” said Eury Sr. “We threw three of four names up in the air and Jamie’s name came out for one and now Elliott [Sadler] and I think we’ve had 14 different drivers that’s went through JR Motorsports this year.
“We were just trying to decide what we want to do, we want to run for the championship, [team owner] Dale Jr. likes having young guys in his car, he likes giving young drivers a chance. But it’s gotten to the point where the sponsors, you can’t just have a really green guy in that car, you got to have someone that can win races. That’s kind of hard to find … that’s what we’ve been looking for all year long.”
Situations beyond their control were also making things hard for JRM. The NNS was introducing a new car in preparation for next year. Their version of the COT was to be raced in four events in 2011: Daytona in July, Michigan in August, Richmond in September, and Charlotte in October.
“We’ve worked really hard and we know we’ve got good cars,” Eury Sr. continued. “We worked really hard on our COT program and we’re trying to get that thing going and trying to find sponsors and drivers for next year.”
As far as the No. 88 team is concerned, the driver search has ended. Aforementioned Almirola will be the driver of the 88 for the next few years, looking to bring the team back to the championship fight. Almirola isn't a 'green' driver and has proven he can get the job done in any series. He's currently sitting second in Camping World Truck Series point with two wins and he's credited with a NNS win from 2007 when driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.
In his first and only ride in the JRM Chevrolet, he finished third at O’Reilly Raceway Park and it sealed both his and JRM's fate.
Call it a comeback; say it was taking the long road to a future that hopes to hold a championship. Maybe it was growing pains for a company that had so much success early on they never knew what else to expect.
Either way, just as Jamie McMurray has reinvented himself in the Sprint Cup Series and driven back to the top of the sport, JR Motorsports is preparing to do the same in 2011 in the Nationwide Series.
The reason was that for the first time in nearly three years, JRM has found themselves in uncharted territory.
Since the departure of Brad Keselowski following the 2009 season, JRM has slipped from the top of the NNS heap. Keselowski and the No. 88 team had been championship contenders for two seasons, finishing third in 2008 and 2009 while winning multiple races.
The success brought the company much recognition and they became one of the top teams in the series. Many young drivers would be ready to jump at the chance to drive on of their cars and take advantage of great equipment. That type of planning wasn’t done however because no one thought anything would be changing anytime soon.
Except, when Keselowski won the Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega in the spring of 2009 plans quickly changed. The Michigan native demanded a Cup Series ride and no one connected to JRM or Hendrick Motorsports could give it to him at the time, all seats were filled. Roger Penske came calling with an opening and out went Keselowski, leaving the No. 88 open for another driver to get the chance that Keselowski had capitalized on.
During the off-season Kelly Bires became that driver. Unfortunately it wouldn’t last long. A driver change normally means the wins a team is accustomed to won’t come as easily or as often and JRM was prepared for that. Bires though, had past experience in the NNS and was thought of to be permanent piece of the JRM puzzle.
The No. 7 team was supposed to be the guinea pigs as Danica Patrick would be experiencing NASCAR for the first time, while drivers such as Steve Arpin, Scott Wimmer, Landon Cassill and others took turns behind the wheel in her absence.
Instead the revolving door of drivers would also hit the 88 team. Bires was release after just five races of the season. Lack of chemistry was cited and JRM was soon back to square one in searching for the next driver that would be the one to deliver them trophies.
McMurray was called upon for what was supposed to be eight races. Next came Coleman Pressley, Ron Fellows, Greg Sacks and Aric Almirola who happened to be the answer to JRM’s problems.
McMurray though, was the one that would end up helping JRM in the present and in a big way. Atlanta was huge for the company and crew chief Tony Eury Sr. knew it.
“It [the victory] means a lot to our company,” he said Saturday night. “We haven’t really ran up to our expectations all year long. We made a driver change five races into the season, wasn’t happy with what was going on at our place.”
No matter who was in the cockpit the car was a contender, but they weren’t race-winning contenders unless McMurray was driving. In eight races McMurray had six top tens, five top fives, including the win and the lowest he finished was 14th after wrecking on the last lap while racing for the lead at Talladega.
That race aside, McMurray was an owners dream. He wasn’t tearing up equipment, he was finishing and contending for race wins and sponsors and fans loved him. The only problem was that McMurray wasn’t a candidate for the full-time position.
But his making things easy while at the track was given JRM less to worry about and more time to handle the future.
“We really didn’t know what to do, who we wanted to put in it [the 88],” said Eury Sr. “We threw three of four names up in the air and Jamie’s name came out for one and now Elliott [Sadler] and I think we’ve had 14 different drivers that’s went through JR Motorsports this year.
“We were just trying to decide what we want to do, we want to run for the championship, [team owner] Dale Jr. likes having young guys in his car, he likes giving young drivers a chance. But it’s gotten to the point where the sponsors, you can’t just have a really green guy in that car, you got to have someone that can win races. That’s kind of hard to find … that’s what we’ve been looking for all year long.”
Situations beyond their control were also making things hard for JRM. The NNS was introducing a new car in preparation for next year. Their version of the COT was to be raced in four events in 2011: Daytona in July, Michigan in August, Richmond in September, and Charlotte in October.
“We’ve worked really hard and we know we’ve got good cars,” Eury Sr. continued. “We worked really hard on our COT program and we’re trying to get that thing going and trying to find sponsors and drivers for next year.”
As far as the No. 88 team is concerned, the driver search has ended. Aforementioned Almirola will be the driver of the 88 for the next few years, looking to bring the team back to the championship fight. Almirola isn't a 'green' driver and has proven he can get the job done in any series. He's currently sitting second in Camping World Truck Series point with two wins and he's credited with a NNS win from 2007 when driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.
In his first and only ride in the JRM Chevrolet, he finished third at O’Reilly Raceway Park and it sealed both his and JRM's fate.
Call it a comeback; say it was taking the long road to a future that hopes to hold a championship. Maybe it was growing pains for a company that had so much success early on they never knew what else to expect.
Either way, just as Jamie McMurray has reinvented himself in the Sprint Cup Series and driven back to the top of the sport, JR Motorsports is preparing to do the same in 2011 in the Nationwide Series.
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