Post by dalejrfan on Jul 7, 2005 5:02:21 GMT -5
Talk of McMurray moving to the No. 6 getting louder this week
Jamie McMurray has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Mark Martin in Roush Racing's No. 6 Fords, but his contract status with Chip Ganassi Racing would likely prevent him from joining the organization until the 2007 season, ThatsRacin.com has learned.
McMurray has a one-year option remaining on his contract with Ganassi to drive the No. 42 Dodges and team owner Chip Ganassi has repeatedly made it clear he intends to hold McMurray to the final year.
Just last week, McMurray was confronted with questions regarding a possible future with Roush Racing. At first, McMurray attempted to avoid a reporter's questions, then later in a telephone interview said, "There is nothing any different now than there was before. There is no story."
McMurray, however, has had several conversations with Roush representatives over the past two weeks and a deal to put him in the No. 6 has solidified this week, sources said.
Reached Wednesday, Roush Racing president Geoff Smith would neither confirm nor deny McMurray had been offered the No. 6 ride.
"We don't comment on prospective sponsors or drivers until we are ready to make a formal announcement," Smith said.
Smith said he hoped to lay out the plan for the No. 6 car by the July 24 Pocono race.
Signing McMurray beginning in 2007 would likely require Roush to find a "temporary" driver in the No. 6 for one-year, particularly if McMurray remains at Ganassi in 2006.
The likely candidate is Roush's current Truck Series driver Ricky Craven, who has two Nextel Cup series wins in his career.
Roush's plans for the Truck series next season remain "fluid," Smith said, with the winner of the "Gong Show" tryouts guaranteed a ride and Martin another.
Smith said current team driver Todd Kluever could move to the Busch Series, or remain in Trucks, and Craven's status was uncertain as he may be presented "other opportunities."
McMurray is in his third season in with Ganassi in Cup. He has one win, coming in October 2002 at Charlotte while substituting for teammate Sterling Marlin. He is currently seventh in points, with four top-five and seven top-10s.
Jamie McMurray has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Mark Martin in Roush Racing's No. 6 Fords, but his contract status with Chip Ganassi Racing would likely prevent him from joining the organization until the 2007 season, ThatsRacin.com has learned.
McMurray has a one-year option remaining on his contract with Ganassi to drive the No. 42 Dodges and team owner Chip Ganassi has repeatedly made it clear he intends to hold McMurray to the final year.
Just last week, McMurray was confronted with questions regarding a possible future with Roush Racing. At first, McMurray attempted to avoid a reporter's questions, then later in a telephone interview said, "There is nothing any different now than there was before. There is no story."
McMurray, however, has had several conversations with Roush representatives over the past two weeks and a deal to put him in the No. 6 has solidified this week, sources said.
Reached Wednesday, Roush Racing president Geoff Smith would neither confirm nor deny McMurray had been offered the No. 6 ride.
"We don't comment on prospective sponsors or drivers until we are ready to make a formal announcement," Smith said.
Smith said he hoped to lay out the plan for the No. 6 car by the July 24 Pocono race.
Signing McMurray beginning in 2007 would likely require Roush to find a "temporary" driver in the No. 6 for one-year, particularly if McMurray remains at Ganassi in 2006.
The likely candidate is Roush's current Truck Series driver Ricky Craven, who has two Nextel Cup series wins in his career.
Roush's plans for the Truck series next season remain "fluid," Smith said, with the winner of the "Gong Show" tryouts guaranteed a ride and Martin another.
Smith said current team driver Todd Kluever could move to the Busch Series, or remain in Trucks, and Craven's status was uncertain as he may be presented "other opportunities."
McMurray is in his third season in with Ganassi in Cup. He has one win, coming in October 2002 at Charlotte while substituting for teammate Sterling Marlin. He is currently seventh in points, with four top-five and seven top-10s.