Joplin Metro
Friends, fans hail McMurray's Daytona victory
By Greg Grisolano
ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com
Billy Street still recalls a trip to the 1994 Daytona 500 championships, to which he was accompanied by his wife and his young friend Jamie McMurray.
“My wife and I were talking about it (Sunday), because it was 16 years ago that we were all in Daytona together,” said Street, 46, of Joplin. “We were hanging out in Universal Studios. To think he went on to win the race after hanging out there and watching it is something.”
Joplin native McMurray held off a hard-charging Dale Earnhardt Jr. in Sunday’s running of the Daytona 500, then broke down in tears in Victory Lane after being the first to cross the finish line in the “Super Bowl of NASCAR.”
He set a NASCAR record by leading the race for only the final two laps — the fewest of anybody who ever won the Daytona 500.
Back in time
The 1994 Daytona 500 recalled by Street was the first of two consecutive victories Sterling Marlin would claim at the fabled track. Less than a decade later, in 2002, McMurray would race into NASCAR’s history books by subbing for an injured Marlin and cruising to a first-place finish at the UAW-GM Quality 500 in Concord, N.C., only his second race.
“There’s a lot of people thinking that it came all too easy because he won in his second race out, that that may have made him think this is a whole lot easier than it is,” Street said. “But he’s been through a lot, and to get to do this is just amazing. He grew up racing those go-karts, and all he ever wanted to do is drive race cars. He’s put a lot of work and commitment into it, and he’s got the ultimate prize now.”
Still hoarse
At his home in Joplin, Mark Womack said, he and 10 of his friends were on their feet cheering for McMurray’s improbable victory.
“Gotta love that, don’t you?” said a still hoarse Womack on Monday. “I mean, the guy actually broke down. To see the man cross the line and see him humble himself enough to break down in tears was a beautiful sight. That’s a man who really loves this sport.”
McMurray’s thrilling finish in a race that was the kickoff to the sport’s season comes after a difficult 2009 campaign that left his driving future in question.
McMurray was dropped by his former team, Roush Fenway Racing, during a time when the sport is suffering from a reduced number of sponsors and fewer cars. McMurray now races for the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing team.
Danny Felker, a former employer of McMurray’s in Joplin and himself a dirt racer, said he thinks the win solidifies McMurray’s career.
“He’ll probably be able to finish his career (in NASCAR) because I really thought he was done before,” said Felker, who owns and operates 66 Truck and Foreign Salvage on West Seventh Street. “When he got ousted from the Roush team, it looked like he was done. It was going to be hard for him to find another job (at that level) because the economy is bad and there aren’t a lot of seats right now.”
Dirt vs. asphalt
Felker recalled that when the teenage McMurray worked under him in the mid- to late ’90s, they would tease each other about the merits of racing on asphalt as opposed to dirt.
“We all dirt-raced, and he pavement-raced,” Felker said. “We all gave each other a hard time, because he’d say you can’t make it to Daytona off of dirt. And we used to tease him with, ‘Well, you ain’t making no money off of pavement racing,’ but he showed us, I’d say.”
Felker said he still talks to McMurray’s father, Jim, on a regular basis, and sent his congratulations on to the family.
“(Jamie) won the biggest race he could ever win, and that will always stick to his name,” Felker said. “He’ll always have a job now. Sponsors will want to put their name on his back because he’s a former Daytona 500 winner. He’s going to be on Letterman (Monday night). How huge is that?”
Mayor’s reaction
Joplin Mayor Gary Shaw said Monday that the city e-mailed Joplin native Jamie McMurray to congratulate him on his victory at the Daytona 500 on Sunday. He said the city would be exploring ways to honor McMurray’s victory.
- Joplin Metro
-
-
Lobbyist: Bill on tax-stacking appears stalled
A fix for Joplin’s tax-stacking exposure has not materialized in this session of state legislative action, as city leaders had hoped.
And, with only four days left before the session ends, not much chance is seen for the rescue of a bill that would protect Joplin, and other cities, from potential lawsuits such as one filed last year over the city’s multiple sales taxes. -
Sex offender sentenced for failure to register
A former Texan was assessed two three-year prison terms Monday for failing to register in Jasper County as a sex offender and for receiving stolen property.
Clay E. Herring, 53, pleaded guilty Feb. 22 to the charges in Jasper County Circuit Court. -
Drunken driver assessed suspended sentence in crash
A Webb City man was assessed a suspended sentence Monday on an assault conviction for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated in an accident two years ago that caused serious injuries to another man.
Justin M. Allen, 32, pleaded guilty March 22 in Jasper County Circuit Court to second-degree assault in connection with a two-vehicle accident May 13, 2008, on Highway 43 north of Joplin. -
Salary schedule to come before Board of Education
A proposal that would institute a pay freeze next year and slightly reduce starting pay for new teachers is to be taken up tonight by the Joplin School Board.
Superintendent C.J. Huff said the salary schedule that will come before the board will include changes that would reduce the annual starting pay for new teachers with no experience next year from $33,372 to $33,122. -
Brad Belk: May tornadoes struck Joplin twice in 1970s
Two incredibly destructive and deadly tornadoes touched down in Joplin during the early 1970s.
Both occurred during the month of May and were separated by just a little over two years of time. -
Mothers, daughters experience pioneer life at nature center
Mothers and daughters got an early Mother’s Day treat last week when they stepped back in time to learn how nature played a role in the life of a pioneer woman.
-
Students brave cold, wind for Fun Run
Sixth-grader Lexie Vaught found a burst of energy as she ran down the final stretch of her mile-long run Saturday morning, well ahead of the other girls in her race.
“I was pacing myself until I got to the end,” she said. “It was amazing (to cross the finish line).” -
Summer school programs facing financial pressure
When Jessica Stahl sent her daughter to summer school last year, it was as much about easing mom’s kindergarten jitters as her daughter’s.
“I’ve never been a school parent,” Stahl said Wednesday while waiting to pick up her six-year-old daughter from Columbia Elementary School. -
VPAA search looms large in MSSU faculty relations
The filling of the position of vice president for academic affairs is emerging as a key issue for faculty relations at Missouri Southern State University and could determine whether any trust can be rebuilt with President Bruce Speck, several faculty said.
-
Fuel prices could be peaking
For a while there, it looked like gasoline would reach $3 for a gallon of regular, and it still might, but the chance of that happening is less likely today than it was even a few days ago.
- More Joplin Metro Headlines
-
Lobbyist: Bill on tax-stacking appears stalled
