McMurray hopes for happy homecoming at Kansas

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The NASCAR Busch Series comes to Kansas Speedway this weekend, which means driver Jamie McMurray is coming home, more or less, since he hails from nearby Joplin, Mo.

What makes this return especially gratifying for McMurray (No. 27 Williams TravelCenters Chevrolet) is that he's riding a wave of current success and optimism for the future.

This is no ordinary homecoming.

Heading into Saturday's Mr. Goodcents 300, McMurray is eighth in the NASCAR Busch Series points. Two weeks ago at Richmond he had a career-best second-place finish, his 10th top-10 finish of the season. Also at Richmond, plans were announced for McMurray to drive a Havoline-sponsored Dodge in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series next season for car owner Chip Ganassi.

"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.

First, though, comes the balance of the current NASCAR Busch season. McMurray is eyeing a top-10 finish in points. That appears doable, but it will take some work. Two-time series champion Randy LaJoie (No. 7 Kleenex/Scott SFW Chevrolet) is ninth, merely 19 points behind. In 10th lurks Bobby Hamilton Jr. (No. 25 U.S. Marine Corps Ford) only 26 back.

The goals are clear for McMurray: Win a race, distance himself from the rear of the top 10, and challenge for top-five territory. In the process, McMurray wants to build some momentum - and build his reputation - for next season's task.

"[Kansas] is one of the races that's been marked on our calendar," McMurray said. "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."

McMurray, 26, has 61 career starts in the NASCAR 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, NASCAR Touring competition; and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Now, on the threshold of entering stock car racing's biggest realm, McMurray has found his form in America's No. 2 motorsports attraction - the NASCAR Busch Series.

McMurray wants to leave on a roll.

"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."