McMurray inching closer to first Busch victory

RICHMOND, Va. -- Jamie McMurray is getting closer to putting his stamp on Victory Lane.

	Jamie McMurray's No. 27 car crossed the line second at Richmond on Saturday. Credit: Autostock

McMurray, driver of the No. 27 Chevrolet, earned his best career finish in the Funai 250 at Richmond International Raceway on Friday when he placed second to Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Riding along with him was the U.S. Postal Service's Hero Stamp, which depicts three New York City firemen raising the American Flag at Ground Zero.

In 60 previous Busch Series starts, McMurray's best finish was fourth at Nazareth earlier this year.

After starting 14th at Richmond, he became a contender in the early going and led one time for 42 laps. During his run at the front, McMurray battled Earnhardt Jr. inside and out, trying to maintain position.

If that wasn't enough, Jimmy Spencer, another Winston Cup Series regular, was in the mix as well.

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"The car was just a little tight in the center," McMurray said. "We struggle with loose in (to the corners) and tight off, then they got the tight off fixed.

"We were still loose in and I had to use a lot of brake and make the car not turning in the middle. We got the 2001 Hero Stamp on the car and we ran fifth with at Daytona in July and second here is great."

Seat time and communication have been the key to McMurray's marked improvement this year.

"It seems like we're a little better when we unload and we communicate a little better this year," McMurray said. "It's just took awhile for all of us to get it together.

"The biggest thing is that my confidence has really picked up this year and that's helped a lot."