Jamie McMurray 2015 Review
By Richard Tix
Season Grade: B-
Season Preview: "I think going into 2015 McMurray has to be thinking Chase. After such a successful 2014 season where the team in general took a step forward with rookie Kyle Larson, both cars have to be thinking taking it to the next level. McMurray has shown over his career he can find a way to win (7 career wins), but he is streaky. Sometimes he will post a win after a win-less season and others he will wait a few years. I think he has a good shot at a win in 2015 after leading the most laps in his career in 2014 (368), but it isn't a sure thing. Expect 4-6 top 5's and 8-10 top 10's as a floor, but he could raise those numbers if Ganassi finds some more speed in 2015."
Season Review: 2015 statistically was a bit of a step back for both Ganassi cars from a rather successful 2014 season. McMurray took a step back in top 5's, top 10's, poles, and laps led. However, if you weren't looking right at the numbers you might say that Jamie had a better season in 2015.
Technically speaking, he did. Not only did his average finish get better (14.9), but it was also his best average finish since 2004 (a season that included 23 top 10's). He achieved the 14.9 average finish with only 10 top 10's. No, that is not an exciting stat, but it does show how consistent he stayed all year.
That consistency lead to a Chase berth for the first time in his career. 2015 was a nice stepping stone, but it seemed a bit like Ganassi as a whole stepped back a bit, so his accomplishments may be even greater (which is something we will never truly know).
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