Bleacher Report - Articles by Sam Miller

Why Jamie McMurray Is My Dark Horse Title Contender For 2010

Sam Miller — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:30:47 -0500

Okay, I'm not exactly saying that Jimmie Johnson needs to watch out for the No. 1 car next year, but I do believe that Jamie DOES have a legitimate chance not only to win a race or two, but also quite possibly make the chase, something he has yet to do.

A lot of people have said that they believe that Jamie is washed up, that he belongs only in the Nationwide Series, but that is not true.

Here are a few reasons why:

1) Jamie is no longer the fifth racer on a five-man team. Say what you will about how strong Roush may be, but being the 4/5th racer on a team does little to boost a drivers performance.

At Ganassi in his early years, Jamie was one of their top drivers, and was given priority in equipment. When he went to Roush next year, though, he immediately got what was essentially the leftovers. Ask most drivers, and they'll tell you being a fourth or fifth driver is not a good situation. Being second at EGR WILL give him a boost, if not in confidence, but definitely from a technical standpoint. I hate to say it, but Chevy>Ford.

2) Fresh start. Jamie goes back to the organization where he had the most success as a driver, and should benefit from being under the guidance of the EGR family once again.

3) The engines and support from Childress and Ganassi has finally come around, and the results have shown. Next year, I only expect their program to continue to improve.

4) Jamie is the "veteran" on a race team. Funny to think of a 33-year-old as a veteran in NASCAR, but JPM has an opportunity to learn from many of the things Jamie has gone through, and Jamie not only can learn from a chase driver what it takes, but he also gains a teammate that I have considered to be a rival.

JPM and J-Mac dont always get along, and it usually ended with J-Mac in the wall. But as teammates, that will not be the case.

5) The final talking point, its still a contract year. I will admit, this year there was a weak free-agent class, but the next class will not be. If Jamie hopes to snag a ride for next year, this year is a put up or shut year.

2009 Sprint Cup: Disappointing PerformancesPart Two

Sam Miller — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:22:27 -0400

Well, I promised it, so here it is: At the end of NASCAR's regular season, 12 drivers made the chase. That means over 30 didnt. At the halfway mark during the regular season, I listed who I thought were the most dissapointing drivers at the drivers. Some are still on the list. Some are not. But there are new faces, so lets get this started.

Begin Slideshow

Silly Season: Jamie McMurray

Sam Miller — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 12:02:34 -0400

This Silly Season, a lot of focus has been placed on Jamie McMurray. Once considerd a future star in NASCAR, he now finds himself struggling to make the chase, or even win races for that matter. However, after the rumors of Brad K and Martin Truex Jr. died down, a lot of focus has been shifted to Jamie, and to where he will race next year. Some people dont think Jamie belongs in NASCAR's top series. I am not one of those people. In fact, I am one of his bigger fans. Jamie has been rumored for just about every available ride, whether it was at Yates, SHR, RCR,or Ganassi, Jamie's name somehow comes into the discussion. I think that it is time to separate legitimate possibilities from the rumors.

Begin Slideshow

2009 Sprint Cup Dissapointments Part One

Sam Miller — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:56:03 -0400

As we near the half way point of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, there have been a lot of surprising Drivers this year, many of whom we didn't see being in the positions they are in right now.

This, for some drivers, is upsetting.

Many drivers who either were contenders for the Sprint Cup Race to the Chase or were in the Chase have so far underperformed compared to the expectations many had given them.

There are many drivers who could be named, but for times sake, I'll limit the field to Multi-Car teams (sorry Jeremy Mayfield). Cars that receive technical support will go with the team they receive support from.

Roush Fenway Racing- David Ragan

In 2008, David seemed like a breakout candidate, one who could truly contend for the Chase in 2009. However, David so far has proved to be one of the most disappointing drivers of 2009. In 2008, he was contending for wins and almost crashed the top 12.

This year, he's contending for top 20s and slowly getting closer to the top 35 cutoff. If David doesn't right the ship, it could be David, not Jamie, who is out of the Roush stable at the end of the year.

Hendrick Motorsports- Dale Earnhardt Jr.

People may not agree with this, but Dale, for all the credit the media gives him, has not proved to me yet that he belongs at Hendrick. With the equipment that he receives, Dale has yet to truly contend for a race.

In reality, Hendrick fields six cars, five of which are currently in the Chase. The one that is not, Dale, is essentially eliminated from Chase contention. He will still have a job at the end of the day, but he sure isn't earning it with his performance.

Richard Childress Racing- Kevin Harvick

Tough choice, because at the end of the day just about anyone could have filled in perfectly here. But for someone who last year made the Chase to be outside the top 20 this year is almost unheard of. This is unexplainable.

It seems that all of RCR, not just Harvick, has underperformed, yet not much has changed over there. Harvick needs to find some luck, along with the rest of RCR, to try and turn this season around.

Joe Gibbs Racing- Denny Hamlin

I know, I know, how can a guy currently seventh in points be considered a disappointment. But for arguments' sake, for someone who has some of the best equipment around, he has yet to win a race. I know that he's been close many times, but it just seems that bad luck follows Hamlin.

Examples: Pocono and Martinsville; each time he had a car capable of winning, but in the end, whether it was mechanical or just good ol' racing, he never seems to come out on top. He is disappointing solely for bad luck, and by no fault of his own. I would be surprised if he were on the list for Part Two.

Penske- David Stremme

Not much to say here, has simply been the third wheel at Penske. Many people at the beginning of the year would have thought Hornish would be here, but Stremme just looks lost out there. Eerily similar to his time at Ganassi.

RPM- Reed Sorenson

Were he not driving the No. 43, there is no doubt in my mind his sponsorship goes to A.J. Allmendinger. If/When RPM switches to Toyota or needs to make a cutback, look for Sorenson to go, with his sponsorship/number going to a better driver.

Red Bull Racing- Scott Speed

Even though he is just a rookie, for him to be outside the top 35 is disappointing. When A.J was in this situation, Mike Skinner would drive the car. Now the only thing that changes is when Speed misses a race, Joe Nemechek doesn't get to drive.

He needs to step it up, or Red Bull may need to find a "Replacement Driver" to get the car into the top 35.

That's it, folks. These are my choices for first half disappointments, you may agree with some, others you may not. Feel free to list your own first half disappointments, or compare them with mine.

P.S. This was my first article, glad I was able to complete all this in just one hour.