MCMURRAY TO DRIVE NO. 1 DODGE AT RICHMOND

On Friday, a familiar face will be back behind the wheel of the No. 1 Dodge in the NASCAR Busch Series as Jamie McMurray has been selected to drive the car in the Funai 250 at Richmond International Raceway. 

James Finch, owner of Phoenix Racing, announced today that McMurray will replace Johnny Benson for this weekend’s event at Richmond.  McMurray had nine top-10s and four top-fives while driving for Phoenix Racing a year ago.

          
“We felt the team needed to try a new approach,” said Finch. “We also know that Johnny wants to return to Nextel Cup racing on a full-time basis, and this change gives him the opportunity to do so.”

           
 “I want to thank Jon Wolfe (crew chief) and the Phoenix Racing team for giving me a car capable of running up front,” said Benson.  “With a little bit of luck, we might have won a couple of races.  Unfortunately, lady luck wasn’t very good to us.  I want to wish James and the team the best of luck for the remainder of 2004.”

Benson won the first pole position of his Busch Series career at North Carolina Speedway in only his second start with Phoenix Racing. In his 10 Busch Series starts with the team, Benson had four top-10s and one top-five finish.