Jamie McMurray Takes Brickyard As Montoya Fades

Juan Pablo Montoya may have won the pole in Sunday’s Brickyard 400 from Indianapolis Motor Speedway; however, it was his teammate Jamie McMurray who took the checkered flag.

It was a huge win for Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing and McMurray who earned a spot in Nascar history with his surprise victory in the Brickyard on Sunday, teamed with his win in Daytona back in February.

“I am just shocked that I won the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 in the same year,” said McMurray. “It’s been an unbelievable year.”

The win also makes team owner Chip Ganassi the only car owner to win the Daytona 500, the Brickyard and the Indianapolis 500 in the same season.

As great a day it was for McMurray, it was equally as disappointing for his teammate.

Montoya led 86 of 160 laps, but gave up the lead when a caution with 23 laps left sent the field to pit row. He left the pit in seventh. Trying hard to force his way through traffic, Montoya lost control and crashed with 15 laps left.

“I need oxygen!” Ganassi said about McMurray’s victory. “I don’t know what to say. My heart goes out to Juan.”