There's no question Jamie McMurray's life changed forever back in February when his No. 1 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet went under the checkered flag first in the Daytona 500.

But while winning the "Great American Race" was a fulfilling career achievement, it doesn't even hold a candle to a more recent event in the lives of McMurray and his wife, Christy. They'll become parents for the first time in December.

“

It's amazing to me how the pressure -- or how I'm still nervous about having a child because you want to make sure you can give it the best life possible.

”

-- JAMIE McMURRAY

On the eve of returning to Daytona International Speedway for the first event there since Speedweeks 2010's finale -- Saturday's Coke Zero 400 -- McMurray recently visited the track for a media event that combined fishing in the track's infield Lake Lloyd and racing journalists on the Sprint Kart track inside the superspeedway's Turn 3.

Question: When you rode into the Speedway for the media day activities, what was the aura, the feeling -- if there was one?

McMurray: You know it's weird that I didn't really have any of that. Honestly, and I know this sounds weird, but I think when I come back down for the race it'll be different, because all the teams will be here, and the fans will be here and your guys [crew members] are here, too.

The thing is my memories of [winning the Daytona 500] are with your team -- it's not necessarily just about you. So I think when we come here [this] week, that's what will be special.

Q: Do you anticipate any difference in your treatment by your fellow competitors, though I guess that's something you might have seen at California?

McMurray: No. Someone asked me if I thought [my competitors] would give me more respect, and I think that respect is gained over years of racing with people. No one respects you more for winning one race -- or for anything that happens in one day.

Respect is something that's earned over the course of time.

Q: The public just found out you and Christy are expecting a child. How do you envision the chain of events occurring, leading up to the birth?

McMurray: I remember -- I came home from Martinsville and Christy said 'I've got something I want to tell ya.' And I was like, 'OK...' She said 'I'm pregnant,' and I almost felt the same way she did when I asked her to marry me: Like, 'you're serious -- really?' (Continued)