McMurray hopes for successful homecoming

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- NASCAR Busch Series youngster Jamie McMurray hopes a little home cooking will help him maintain his top-10 points position and the momentum he's trying to establish in his budding career.

	Jamie McMurray has 10 top-10 finishes in the Busch Series this season. Credit: Autostock

Despite relatively modest statistics, McMurray, from Joplin, Mo., is having a career year in only his second full year in the Busch Series. And since he is due to switch to the Winston Cup Series in the high-profile Havoline Dodge next season, his timing couldn't be better.

In Saturday's Mr. Goodcents 300 at Kansas Speedway, McMurray will be trying for his ninth top-12 finish in his past 11 races. Included in that stretch is his career best, a second-place effort three weeks ago at Richmond.

"It's definitely exciting to be returning to Kansas Speedway in front of my hometown crowd knowing I've been given the opportunity of a lifetime for next season," McMurray said. "Kansas is one of the races that's been marked on our calendar.

"We came up to Kansas and tested a few weeks ago just to get ready for this race. Hopefully we'll be able to give the local fans something to cheer about."

In his past four races, McMurray, 26, has qualified in the top-15, lowering his qualifying average after 27 races to 15.4. His 10 top-10 finishes have him eighth in the standings -- much better than the 16th place he recorded in his 2001 rookie year.

To maintain his top-10 standing is reachable, but it will take some work. Two-time series champion Randy LaJoie is ninth, merely 19 points behind McMurray. In 10th is Bobby Hamilton Jr., only 26 back.

JAMIE McMURRAY  •  Driver Page  •  2002 Stats

McMurray would like to win a race and if possible challenge for the top-five in the standings. In the process, he wants to build some momentum -- and build his reputation -- for next season's task.

"I've had a lot of people ask me if it will be hard to stay focused on the remainder of the Busch Series races this season," McMurray said. "My answer has been 'no' because I'm committed to this Williams TravelCenters race team for the rest of this season.

"I want to finish out this season on a high note with them."

McMurray has 61 career starts in the Busch Series, having made his debut in October 2000 at Memphis. He is a classic example of a driver who has advanced through various NASCAR levels.

Before moving to the NASCAR Busch Series, he raced in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Presented by Dodge, RE/MAX Challenge Series and the Craftsman Truck Series.