McMurray's victory tour continues at Fontana

FONTANA, Calif. -- Jamie McMurray's extensive post-Daytona 500 victory tour finally came to an end Friday, and the driver was feeling the effects. Run down and with a sore throat, he went to the infield care center at Auto Club Speedway and was treated with an antibiotic. It's easy to understand why -- over the last four days he's been whisked from New York to San Francisco to Los Angeles, chatted with Dave and Regis, and shaken more hands than he can count.

Friday morning, though, brought a little guidance, in the form of a telephone call from team owner Chip Ganassi. Look, the old open-wheel competitor told the driver of his No. 1 car, there have been plenty of guys who have won the Indianapolis 500 one week, and then hit the wall in the first lap of practice at Milwaukee the next. Take a breath. Find your rhythm. Don't necessarily worry about going fast.

Part of McMurray's whirwind tour after winning the 500 included a stop at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco.

"I thought that was some really good advice," McMurray said. "And Chip is so good. One of the things that makes him such a good owner are the little things like that in making sure he got a hold of me today and just giving you those little things that everybody knows, but that sometimes you just need to hear."

It's back to work for a driver who has enjoyed an emotional, heartfelt rocket ride to the top of NASCAR after his victory last Sunday in the Daytona 500. Although he had won three times previously on the sport's premier circuit, the last few years have been trying ones for McMurray, who left Ganassi's team for a ride with powerhouse Roush Racing prior to the 2006 campaign, but found himself the odd man out after the five-car organization had to contract to meet NASCAR's four-car cap. Caught on the wrong side of a tug-of-war between potential and performance, he was always good, but not good enough.

For the time being, at least, those days are over. Two-time Cup champion Tony Stewart came over during dinner Thursday night to offer congratulations. McMurray's Twitter account, which he only activated just before Speedweeks, is blowing up. People inside and out of the garage area have responded to the awestruck, appreciative manner in which McMurray has worn the mantle of Daytona 500 champion. (Continued)