Chat Transcript: Jamie McMurray

Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Jamie McMurray!

Hello to everyone out there! I just got done doing RPM Tonight. It has been an exciting week and I am looking forward to your questions.

Question from: Sassy Jamie awesome win on Sunday. Congratulations!!! What went through your mind when you found out that you would be filling in for Sterling for the rest of the season?

Really just nervous. It is a lot of pressure to put on somebody, and then even more pressure next year when I am running Winston Cup against young drivers like Ryan and Jimmie. Sterling won two races this year and this was going to help set my Winston Cup standards, especially with a team

that is a proven winner.

Question from: #1jeff Gordon fan How does it feel to win at one of your least favorite tracks?

It is one of my favorite tracks now! To win at any racetrack, like Charlotte, Bristol or Daytona, is great, but it was nice to win at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Question from: 8dalejr'sgirl8 Congratulations Jamie. I was happy to see you take the win. My question is when you win a race in Sterling's car, do you have to share the money with him or how does that all work?

No. Pretty much you just get a percentage of what you bring in. I worked out an agreement with the team when I got into the car. I am sure Sterling has his own deal and I don't know what they are paying him!

Question from: DodgeFan25 Jamie, I was wondering what you were

feeling or thinking the last 10 laps of the race? I imagine it was very overwhelming.

Yeah, I was just trying to stay focused and hit my marks. I heard about a lot of guys that lost their first chance to win a race because they were thinking about what they were going to say in Victory Lane. I just wanted to stay focused, hit my marks and watch the lap traffic.

	Credit: Autostock

Question from: tinkamus Jamie, way to go! Were you brought up in a racing family? How did you get your start? Also, what's your advise for someone who wants a start in auto racing?

My dad was a racer and I started just by racing go-karts at the age of 8. We did that as a family until I got old enough for stock cars. To get started, go to the local tracks. Seat time is the most important thing and any time you are racing you are gaining lots of experience.

Question from: Mjr-1 We were at Talladega and heard the coaching on the radio. Did that help you understand what needed to be done at Talladega? Or did it help you to understand the "lingo", as to what needs to be done to win a NASCAR Race?

My spotter does an incredible job, and he is a good coach and motivator. Tony and everyone do a good job keeping me up. I am a young driver and have a lot to learn, so I am looking at them to get the most help I can get. It is awesome to drive Busch and Cup at the same time. Seat time is valuable and that is what I am getting right now, so I am really excited about driving both series.

Question from: Dena#12Fan Does it surprise you that NASCAR has

gained popularity as a sport and that a lot of drivers have the same sex-symbol status of a rock star?

I don't know about that! Haha NASCAR is definitely one of the biggest sports, but the thing is, for me, I have moved up through a lot of series and I don't feel any different. When you are a racecar driver, that is what you want to do. That is my favorite part of it, just racing.

	Credit: Autostock

Question from: NASCAR-Ken Wasn't that a great surprise for you when you got the phone call from Sterling Marlin while in the Winner's Circle? What did that call mean to you?

It was HUGE. I thought it would be my mom or sister, and I heard Sterling's voice! He has been so supportive and it was really special to hear from him in Victory Lane. It was a hard situation for me to fill in for him with him hurt, so it means a lot to me for a guy like that to call you and be really supportive.

Question from: YoungLMDriver6 Jamie, I know switching classes of stock cars can be difficult to get used to. What was the hardest part of getting used to a Winston Cup car over the cars you had gotten used to in Busch?

Just the horsepower - there is so much more in the Cup car. It didn't take long to get used to it, but the length of the races is so much different. You have more pit stops to adjust on your car to make it better, but really horsepower is the part that makes the difference.

Question from: curiouscuda Hey Jamie, great job! What are some of your hobbies and off-track interest?

Right now I don't have time to do anything! I love remote-controlled cars. I would love to get back involved in that. It is a wintertime hobby, and it keeps the hand-eye coordination sharp, and that is very important in racing.

Question from: lly922 Are you concerned that all this new attention could take your mind off your driving, or do you find it humorous?

It is disturbing, but at the same time, when I get in the racecar, everything else is irrelevant. One of the things that is hard, when I get in the Cup car I cant think about the Busch car, and when I am in the Busch car I can't think about the Cup car. It is pretty exciting to have all these people wanting to meet you, talk to you or take a picture with you, but once you get in the car, you don't really think about it.

Question from: Fan42 Hi, Jamie. Congratulations on your awesome win. With only five races to go, what are your plans for the short offseason? And what are your goals for next year?

	Credit: Autostock

There is not really an offseason. We will start testing as soon as the season is over with. I will go home and visit the family for Christmas and Thanksgiving, so really we don't get an offseason. As for 2003, our goal is to go out and give 100% every week as a team and driver and as long as we do that, that is all we can ask for. As for the standings and results, we

just need to go out and do our best and that is all I can ask for.

Question from: DaleJr8 Have you become friends with many of the drivers and what has been the best advice they have given you?

Jimmie Johnson is one of my better friends. I met Jeff Gordon through Jimmie, but it is hard to meet people because you are so busy at the track. Over the course of the year I met a lot of the Busch drivers, but next year when we are in Cup, I will get closer with the Cup drivers and meet more of them.

Question from: Go48_24 Hey Jamie! I've been hearing that Toyota may be coming to NASCAR in 2004. Have you heard anything and what do you think about Toyota in NASCAR?

I haven't heard anything about that, but I would say all manufacturers and makes want to be in NASCAR. It is a great sport to be with, but I haven't heard anything about that.

Question from: Jeffrie23 Hi Jamie, did you get fitted for your own seats or are you using Sterling's?

I did get fitted for my own seats. I am using a standard stock car seat, but I went to get an insert for my seat that is custom-molded for my body and that is extremely comfortable.

Question from: victory_grl Hey Jamie, congratulations on your first win! How did you celebrate?

Lots of Coors Light!! Haha We celebrated a lot with the team and I went home at midnight. When I got home, I made macaroni & cheese and ramon noodles and went to bed. I am going to go out and eat dinner with some friends tonight and just enjoy it. We were really worn out after the race.

Question from: gotracinfever Now that you have already won a race this year, do you feel any extra pressure on what is expected of you from Chip or the other drivers for next season?

Well, yeah, I think there is more pressure now. It is great to have that, too, that they have that much faith in me and what I am capable of doing. There is always pressure in racing. You are only as good as your last race and you have to give 100% every week. I like this part of it. To me, I love racing because you can't accomplish everything in it. Every week is a new

challenge, and I get bored of things you can conquer easily like a computer game. You are never the best at racing.

	Credit: Autostock

Question from: earthsuitfan24 Jamie, congratulations on you first win! How did you hold off Bobby Labonte like you did? Did it make a difference, in your mind, that the NASCAR Winston Cup Champ from two years ago was on your tail? Did it make a difference in the way you drove?

No, I was very focused. I think that is part of the reason I didn't make a mistake. I didn't think about who was behind me and I didn't think about it till it was all over and done! I was just really, really focused until the end of the race.

Question from: Emy Zee23 My question for you is where should we send mail or autograph requests? I have searched the web high and low looking for a fan club or something of that nature.

I think if you go to jamiemcmurray.com you can find an address to mail to.

Question from: WardFan22 Jamie, did you just solidify the theory that equipment is a larger part of the equation to winning a race than the driver? Don't get me wrong, you drove your guts out, but I doubt you could have won in some other team's equipment. What is your opinion?

Well, that is why NASCAR is a team sport. The best driver can't win in bad equipment, and the worst driver can't win in the best equipment. This is about a team. A lot of drivers could have got in my car and won, but it was our night and we got lucky.

Question from: sharon40fan Jamie, congratulations on the win!! Happy for you and the Brew Crew. Was that #115 you were driving and will you be driving it at Atlanta?

Yes, we are taking the same car back. We are going to fix the right side body, switch the motor and take it right back to Atlanta!

Question from: richman178 Jamie way to go on your first win!!!!!!!!!!! Quick question. Did you get fined for drinking beer on TV in the Winner's Circle like Dale Jr. did?

I don't know! He got fined?? You are just dying of thirst and if you are driving the Coors Light Dodge, you should get out and drink a Coors Light!! Haha

Question from: stephanie3b I was wondering how you feel about the fans becoming so aggressive. What would you change about the access fans have now in the garage and pit area, if you had the authority to do so?

	Credit: ASP

That is not my job. I drive racecars. They are not aggressive with me, so it doesn't bother me now. I know they chase some guys around, but that is not my deal to decide how to make that better.

Question from: B_Kundrick Do you play computer games, such as NASCAR Racing 2002 Season, like Dale Jr. does to get your mind set for the tracks ahead of time?

I played them all before, but right now I haven't had time to do anything. Those are great games and about as real as anything out there, but I am not as in to that as I used to be.

Question from: mobudgirl I would like to know, who are your racing mentors and who your favorite driver was when you were growing up?

I cannot pick just one driver. There are many great guys out there to look up to or work with.

Question from: otherguy I remember when you used to race radio

controlled cars at the indoor track on Main St. in Joplin. Do you still do any type of RC racing?

No, like I said I want to do that this winter again. I haven't had a chance to do that since then, really.

Question from: The Citgo Warrior Congratulations on your first Winston Cup win! As a young rookie driver like Newman or Johnson, do you look at them for inspiration for future races or do you watch the veterans and learn from their experiences?

I just watch everybody. I think Ryan Newman is about as good at some of these tracks as anybody. You can learn from everyone because everyone has a track they get around better. Mark Martin is great at Rockingham, so you go to tracks where these guys run well at, and you watch them there.

Question from: Mysterny What are you most looking forward to as a rookie and what is your greatest fear coming into your rookie season?

Not being successful would be my greatest fear. I have struggled all year. I just want to run well and be consistent week in and week out.

Question from: Loaks Jamie if you wasn't driving racecars, what would you be doing?

Some kind of construction or woodworking. "This Old House" is like my favorite TV show, so I would probably do something like that.

Question from: TOMTOM Jamie, congratulations on your first win.

Was that you girlfirend in the Winner's Circle? Is she a Winston Girl?

That was my girlfriend, and she used to be the Winston Girl. They don't let them date Cup drivers, and now that I am one, she had to resign.

Question from: How How has the NASCAR community responded to

you getting into the Coors Light car after Sterling's successes all season?

I think they have welcomed me in. I think they know how tough a situation that is to get put in and I think everyone has been really understanding and kind about it.

Question from: racin8dalejr I was wondering, do you think that you had the attitude that you had nothing to lose, so therefore you drove your heart out? Or was your mind set that you were determined to prove that you could handle the pressure that has been placed upon you, replacing Sterling and all.

It is all heart. Every time I get in a car, you drive as hard as you can. If you have a car under you like, you drive it as best as you can. I would say it was all heart.

Question from: TruckRacer88 What kind of pressure do you feel know that you are a role model for kids?

I don't think there is any pressure there. I haven't really ever been in any trouble, so if I am just myself, that should be good enough.

Question from: Do Congratulations on the win!!! Quick question for you. Have you heard about what your Cup number and sponsors will be for the 2003 season??

It will be Havoline as the primary sponsor. I am not sure about the car number yet. We are trying to get the No. 28, but if that doesn't come through, it will be the No. 42. We just don't know yet.

Thank you Jamie! That's all the time we have today, do you have any final thoughts?

Thanks for logging on to NASCAR.com today! I wish I was able to get to all your questions but maybe next time. Have a good night!