DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Jamie McMurray was in the midst of the hottest 2008 season-closing streak this side of teammate Carl Edwards' finish and all McMurray could think about was 2009.

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I think for sure it's a make-or-break season for me, but, like I say, if I had to pick a scenario to be put in, I'm in one that's as good as it can get for me.

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JAMIE McMURRAY

Far from being strange, all you could think was, "who could blame him," because McMurray was looking ahead to a reunion with his favorite NASCAR crew chief -- Donnie Wingo. As far as he was concerned he was getting a carbon copy of the guy who'd engineered his stellar late-season run, crew chief Larry Carter.

"Donnie just has a really good work ethic, and certainly you have to have that at Roush," McMurray said as he begins his fourth season at Roush Fenway Racing. "Roush has been known for having his model and it's not having as many people as other organizations. But Donnie is just very hands-on and his work ethic is second to none. So I think the guys, if they liked Larry, they're going to like Donnie because they're two of the same."

Carter and Wingo -- longtime friends who worked together when Wingo worked for a team owned by Carter's uncle, Travis Carter -- actually discussed their futures before Wingo initiated the process of coming to Roush Fenway.

Now the new season is only one race old, Saturday night's 75-lap Budweiser Shootout special event. But if Carter and Wingo are alter-egos and McMurray ended last season with three consecutive third-places and on the verge of winning, Saturday night's second-place finish to Kevin Harvick means a win could be close.

Wingo and McMurray worked together for three years at Chip Ganassi Racing, from McMurray's rookie season in 2003 to 2006, and accrued 18 top-five and 46 top-10 finishes, averages of six and 15 a season. In his three seasons with Roush, McMurray's averaged three and nine, respectively, so the reunion's timing couldn't be better.

"Without a doubt this is a make-or-break year for me, but you can only do what you can," McMurray said. "I think for sure it's a make-or-break season for me, but, like I say, if I had to pick a scenario to be put in, I'm in one that's as good as it can get for me. I have everything I want and I think the comfort level and the confidence I have in Donnie and the entire team, I wouldn't trade them for anyone." (Continued)