Notebook: McMurray part of remarkable Daytona/Indy double

By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

(May 30, 2010)

CONCORD, N.C.—Jamie McMurray returned from the drivers’ meeting Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway just in time to see the finish of the Indianapolis 500.

When Ganassi Racing’s Dario Franchitti won the Indianapolis 500 Sunday afternoon, McMurray became part of an unprecedented double for team owner Chip Ganassi. McMurray won the Daytona 500 for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing in February, and Franchitti’s win marked the first time a team owner had won both races in the same year.

“It’s remarkable,” McMurray said before driver introductions for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600. “Honestly, all I could think of is that we almost won the Daytona 24-hour race also.”

Ganassi’s team of Max Papis, Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas and Justin Wilson finished second in the Rolex 24 at Daytona by 52 seconds.

“It’s amazing what Chip’s organization has been able to do this year,” McMurray said. “Certainly, the IRL side has never had a down year. The Cup side has had some down years, and right now, it’s doing really well. It’s really awesome what Chip has been able to put together.”

McMurray saw the start of the 500 before the drivers’ meeting but didn’t begin to get excited by the prospect of a Franchitti win until he returned to his motor home.

“I came back from the drivers’ meeting, and there were just a few laps left, and he was leading, and they didn’t know if he was going to be able to make it on fuel,” McMurray said. “Then, I think, to see Chip getting interviewed and walking down pit road—I’m just really happy for Chip. He’s become such a good friend of mine. He’s not only my owner, but we’ve become really good friends—really close. And I’m as happy for him as my owner as I am for him as my best friend. It’s really cool for him and this organization.”

Burton happy to have Harvick

Jeff Burton understands why Kevin Harvick re-signed with Richard Childress, and he’s happy not to be losing the Sprint Cup points leader as a teammate. Burton said he believes Harvick came to the realization that his best chance to win a championship was to stay put.

“Kevin’s good for our company,” Burton said. “If you start thinking about replacing Kevin Harvick, who are you going to replace him with that is better than him? He’s an extremely gifted racecar driver, and he’s been a really good teammate to me. The first year or so, it took us a little while to learn each other, but Kevin’s been a great teammate for me.

“He pushes our company to be better. I’m glad. I’m really, really glad that they worked that out. It’s my intention to be at RCR for a long, long time. And to be as good as I can be, I need good teammates. I need teammates that are going to push me, and I know that Kevin Harvick will push me. So I’m ecstatic that he’s coming back.”

Entering Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600, Harvick led the Cup standings by 69 points over second-place Kyle Busch. Burton was in eighth.

Busy racing schedule for Geoff Bodine

In the midst of a news conference for the Legends Million, Geoff Bodine revealed he would attempt to make the field for next week’s Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway in a Chevrolet fielded by Tommy Baldwin.

Bodine, 61, last started a Cup race in 2004 and last raced full time in the series in 1999. He has 18 Cup wins.

Bodine also will compete for a share of the $1 million purse in the Legends Million, scheduled for July 15-17 at Charlotte. The winner of the A-Main feature in the world’s most lucrative race for Legends Cars will earn $250,000.

Among those competing for the top prize will be Sprint Cup driver David Ragan.

“Overall, it should be a great weekend, and I’m glad to be part of it,” Ragan said Sunday. “Without the Legends car series, I wouldn’t be sitting here getting ready to start the Coca-Cola 600.”