Busch riding Chase bubble; McMurray chasing ride (cont'd)

2. Roush Fenway Racing has announced that Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle and David Ragan will comprise its driver roster in 2010. Where does this leave Jamie McMurray?

Bill Kimm: The unemployment line. I kid! Roush hopes the entire No. 26 team just slides nicely to Yates Racing, but I don't see that happening.

David Caraviello: He's out of a ride, obviously. And is there any certainty that he'll wind up at Yates Racing? We always thought the "extra" Roush driver under the four-car cap would automatically wind up in the Yates shop, but after this week's announcement I'm not so sure.

Jamie McMurray

Cup Statistics

	Ganassi	Roush*	2009
Starts	114	128	20
Wins	1	1	0
Top-5s	19	10	0
Top-10s	48	30	3
Poles	2	1	0
Laps Led	480	192	1
Lead-Lap Fin.	74	68	13
Avg. Start	15.8	22.4	23.4
Avg. Finish	16.8	21.5	20.2

* Includes 2009

Bill Kimm: Yeah David, I think we all assumed Crown Royal and the entire 26 operation would move to Yates, but now with no sponsor on the 26, I don't see that happening.

Raygan Swan: I can't figure Jamie McMurray out. Just when I think he's proving his worth on the track, his performance shifts the other way. I don't know, four seasons with only one win is kind of rough. Maybe he can find success with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, where he found his first Cup win -- OK, it was just with Chip Ganassi, but close enough -- years ago, but I just don't know.

David Caraviello: Are he and Chip on good enough terms that they might get back together again? And if the answer is yes, does that mean Aric Almirola gets shifted elsewhere once again?

Raygan Swan: I think so, David, because Chip told Danica Patrick to wait, and Aric is too all over the place. That is my speculation only, but I'd rather see J-Mac at EGR than as the Roush B team at Yates Racing, no offense to them. I think NASCAR benefits from a personality like Jamie's.

Bill Kimm: That No. 1 car has to look enticing to McMurray. As for Almirola, I'd rather have Jamie Mac than Aric behind the wheel. And as we've learned, Puffy was ahead of the times when he sang, It's all about the Benjamins, baby!

David Caraviello: The more I think about the Yates thing, the more I think it's not going to happen. I mean, Jamie is having a rough year, but he's still 20th in points. The Yates cars are well below that. And since sponsorship isn't part of the deal, you'd have to think Yates doesn't have the cash to add another program. Of course, stranger things have happened. But if not Yates, where? This is a brutal year to be looking for a ride, especially a rather high-level one of the kind McMurray is used to. Not a lot of openings out there.

Bill Kimm: Aside from the 1, what is out there? Nothing jumps to my mind.

Raygan Swan: Is Gibbs going to open a fourth team? Will Stewart-Haas do a third? No clue. It all depends on sponsorship I would assume.

David Caraviello: Well, there's always that mythical third car at Stewart-Haas, that everyone is lining up for!

Raygan Swan: I put my application in last week, David. Haven't heard back.

David Caraviello: It's all wait and see at this point. Does SHR start up a third car? Does Gibbs add a fourth? Does Kevin Harvick bolt RCR early? Does Red Bull make a change? Is there movement at RPM? All of those things could happen, and none of them could. And given the economic conditions right now, I wouldn't bet on anyone adding an extra car. Somebody needs to start a new team so Brad Keselowski and McMurray can have rides. MacBrad Racing!

Bill Kimm: I think I have 10 bucks in my wallet. How much can you chip in, Raygs?

Raygan Swan: They could steal Go Daddy from Danica, and J-Mac could get that fabulous shampoo sponsor back. Was it Fructis or something like that?

David Caraviello: That was a Brian Vickers sponsor at Hendrick, I believe. (Note: Garnier Fructis was the primary sponsor on the No. 25 Chevrolet for four races in 2005-06).

Raygan Swan: Oh. OK, then I've got $5 on it.

Bill Kimm: Never thought David would out-Raygs Raygan!

David Caraviello: I've been around a little longer, Bill. Plus, I'm out of Fructis Apple Splash conditioner. Need to pick up more at the store today!

• Crown Royal moving sponsorship to No. 17 car (Continued)