Behind the Wall: Jamie McMurray

Showing posts with label Jamie McMurray. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

2016 NASCAR Driver Spotlight Review: Jamie McMurray

Jamie McMurray 2016 Review

By Richard Tix

2016 Season Preview

Season Grade: C

Season Preview: "I think Jamie's 2016 will go a lot like 2015. He and Kyle Larson should see a bit of an increase in production this season so it will feel like a much better season, but in the end the statistics won't be a lot different. As I feel every season, JMac will still have an outside shot at a trip to VL. He has excelled at superspeedway's so he always has an outside shot to win. I think a stat line of 0 wins, 4-6 top 5's, 9-11 top 10's and an average finish of around 16 will be how his 2016 plays out."

Season Review: 2016 did not provide JMac with an uptick in production like I thought it might have, but he did stay pretty consistent overall. His 2016 season ended with zero wins, two top 5's, and 12 top 10's. His top 10 numbers were the only numbers to jump from 2015 (10).

2016 was the first season in his 15 year career (including his first season with only six races) where he didn't lead a single lap.

All of that being said, JMac made his way into the Chase because of consistent finishes. Actually, he and CGR teammate Kyle Larson made the Chase in 2016. So, for that fact alone 2016 was not all a lost cause and gives them something to build on.

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Friday, January 15, 2016

2016 NASCAR Driver Spotlight Preview: Jamie McMurray

Jamie McMurray 2016 Preview

By Richard Tix

2015 Season Review

Jamie McMurray Career Paint Schemes

It is weird how season's work now with the new Chase. In 2014 JMac was a front runner on Sunday numerous times, but just couldn't get that win. So, in the end he missed out on a Chase spot because NASCAR had 13 winners and only three spots up for grabs by points alone.

Yet, in 2015 JMac made the Chase even thought he had three less top 5's and three less top 10's then in 2014. He did have a better average finish which was because he routinely finished in or near the top 15, but couldn't get all those top 10's he did a season before.

The bigger factor may just have been that NASCAR only had 12 winners which opened up and extra points spot leaving him room to breath. He was easily in on points, but it is funny to look at how the points shape up season to season. Consistency is still king to getting in on points so "good points days" still count for a lot if you go win-less in the first 26 races.

Not just JMac, but Ganassi as a whole seemed to take a step back in 2015 compared to 2014. Both he and Larson both were front runners many times in 2014 and in 2015 the #1 and #42 vanished most races. So, 2016 will be a big year to see how they handle the slump.

Bold Predictions/2016 Season Expectations:

I think Jamie's 2016 will go a lot like 2015. He and Kyle Larson should see a bit of an increase in production this season so it will feel like a much better season, but in the end the statistics won't be a lot different. As I feel every season, JMac will still have an outside shot at a trip to VL. He has excelled at superspeedway's so he always has an outside shot to win. I think a stat line of 0 wins, 4-6 top 5's, 9-11 top 10's and an average finish of around 16 will be how his 2016 plays out.

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Monday, December 21, 2015

2015 Driver Spotlight Review: Jamie McMurray

Jamie McMurray 2015 Review

By Richard Tix

2015 Preview

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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