Jamie McMurray spent 130 laps in the top 10 at Pocono. Credit: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

McMurray overcomes problems at Pocono

After disaster at Loudon, Ganassi driver bounces back with 11th

LONG POND, Pa. -- Jamie McMurray was strolling easily through the Pocono Raceway garage Sunday evening following an 11th place finish in the Pennsylvania 500, when a pair of reporters approached seeking his thoughts on having a potential top-five run foiled by extenuating circumstances for the third consecutive week.

Jamie McMurray Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images

His answer, though brief, spoke volumes.

"I'm happy as can be, dude," he said. "I'm going to Mexico."

Mexico, huh? Considering his initial post-race thought focused on off-weekend bliss, it is obvious he's not overly concerned about dropping four positions in the championship standings, from seventh to 11th, during the past few weeks.

"Eleventh is not a great finish. But, man, if we could finish 11th every weekend from here on out we would make the Chase, I think," McMurray said.

Results Pennsylvania 500 Pos. Driver Make 1. Kurt Busch Ford 2. Rusty Wallace Dodge 3. Mark Martin Ford 4. Carl Edwards Ford 5. Ryan Newman Dodge Complete results, click here Unofficial standings, click here Victory LaneBusch celebrates a dominant performance Race ReactionWallace, Martin, and Johnson sum up the day Final LapsKurt Busch holds off Wallace and Martin for the win Bumper tagEdwards tags Kahne in the final laps Nowhere to goNewman has tire go down, gets tagged by McMurray PenalizedEarnhardt Jr. serves a penalty on pit road Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

"So we just need to keep doing that. All those guys we're battling with finished right around us, so it's hard to make up points."

So as he heads South of the border, eyeing the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, McMurray stands just nine points behind 10th place Dale Jarrett and three points ahead of 12th place Carl Edwards.

Eighth through 12th are separated by just 34 points.

"It's a good story, this Chase," McMurray said. "It's very close. Brian France looks like a hero right now, with the way this thing is playing out.

"Sixth through 16th are still in the Chase, or have a shot to make it mathematically, and for something nobody wanted it sure has turned out to be a great deal."

McMurray started the Pennsylvania 500 from the Bud Pole, the second of his career.

He settled into the top 10, and ran there until the alternator failed on his Dodge. The failure forced him to turn off important brake-cooling fans.

Then, on Lap 139, his fortunes worsened when Ryan Newman experienced tire trouble and checked up in front of McMurray.

"I'm not sure what happened to the 12 car, but when he checked up I got into him a little bit, and it just ripped the nose up," McMurray said.

"That's so critical here, and when we fixed it the car was too tight. We kept battling getting the chassis better, but just not quite good enough.

"We had the same thing at Chicago. I got in the back of Kasey Kahne and tore the nose up and never could rebound.

"Ended up 22nd. Today isn't a good day, but we could have finished 25th very easily. I'll take it. See ya in Mexico, dude."