Roush Hour: Dropped From Team, Clock Is Ticking On Jamie McMurray's Next Move

When NASCAR decided to put a cap on the amount of cars that owners can put on the track, Jack Roush fought to keep his five-car stable intact. Unfortunately, NASCAR stood tall, meaning Roush had to cut one of his drivers.

The dominoes started falling this week. First, Dewalt Tools decided to not renew its contract to sponsor Matt Kenseth. This left the 2003 Cup Champion and this year's Daytona 500 winner without major backing for next season.

Soon after, Crown Royal announced that they will move from the No. 26 car of Jamie McMurray to Kenseth. This secured the Roush-Fenway fleet for next season.

With this move, McMurray is now left on the outside looking in.

Where does he go once the checkered flag falls at Homestead? Roush is hoping to move the team under the ownership of Yates Racing, whom they have a partnership with.

The likelihood of this actually happening went down with the loss of Crown Royal to Kenseth. McMurray does have sponsorship from Irwin Industrial Tools, but with the loss of Dewalt, who's to say they won't follow.

This idea does not appear to be the best option for McMurray. Better options are available outside of Roush.

Prior to McMurray racing for Roush-Fenway, he was part of Chip Ganassi Racing racing in the then-Busch Series.

In 2001, McMurray got his big break, unfortunately at the expense of Sterling Marlin. Marlin broke his neck late in the season, one in which he was a major contender for the championship. McMurray was asked to step into his ride starting at Talladega.

One week later, McMurray's stock increased. In just his second race, he took the win at Lowe's Motor Speedway when he beat out Bobby Labonte to the checkered flag.

McMurray could opt to leave and take over the No. 1 car that Martin Truex Jr. is leaving at the end of the year. The team is part of the Earnhardt-Ganassi team, so McMurray would return to the organization that gave him his first opportunity in the Cup Series.

Who would not want to be in a high-profile ride like the No. 1 car. McMurray must consider that as an option.

It's an unfortunate situation for McMurray. He has all the talent to be very successful but he seems to get all the bad breaks. McMurray has only one win in the last five years, far to little for a driver that won in his second race.

McMurray will race next year in Sprint Cup. Which team he will drive for, that question still remains.