Talladega II: Jamie McMurray preview

The "Rising Star" is Set to Shine this Weekend in Talladega

CONCORD, N.C., (September 27, 2004) --- Texaco/Havoline Racing is continuing its year-long 100th birthday celebration this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway as NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Jamie McMurray will sport a retro "Rising Star" paint scheme on his No. 42 Dodge. The design resembles the one that the late Davey Allison competed with during the 1990 season.

"It's cool that Texaco/Havoline is going back and paying tribute to the history they have in NASCAR," McMurray said. "We got to run a special tribute paint scheme last year at Talladega to honor Davey Allison and it's neat we're running another special one this year to honor Texaco/Havoline's heritage in this sport. I think it's a nice way to give long-time NASCAR fans something to remember the past by. I can't think of a better place to run this paint scheme than at Talladega given the history of the Texaco/Havoline car at that track."

McMurray, the current "Rising Star" behind the wheel of the Texaco/Havoline Dodge, joins a long line of NASCAR drivers who have been propelled to stardom in a Texaco/Havoline-backed race car. He also is the third Texaco/Havoline driver to win NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Rookie-of-the-Year honors (2003), joining the late Davey Allison (1987) and Kenny Irwin (1998).

McMurray and the Texaco/Havoline team head into the EA Sports 500 at Talladega Superspeedway sitting 11th in points. McMurray has posted seven top-five and 17 top-10 finishes during the 2004 season. In four NASCAR NEXETL Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway, McMurray has a best finish of ninth place (4/25/04).

McMurray will continue Texaco/Havoline's commitment to heritage when he joins Liz, Robbie and Krista Allison, along with Benny Parsons and Richard Petty this Saturday night at the Talladega/Texaco Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Davey Allison Memorial Park in Talladega, Ala. McMurray will help induct Kyle Petty into the Walk of Fame.

Texaco/Havoline Racing Fast Facts:

* Chassis #006: Crew Chief Donnie Wingo and the Texaco/Havoline team are bringing chassis #006 to compete in the EA Sports 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. This is the same car McMurray competed with in both races at Daytona International Speedway this season.

* On a Hot Streak: McMurray heads into Talladega as one of the hottest drivers on the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series circuit. The Joplin, Mo. native has scored six straight top-10 finishes. In addition, McMurray is second behind Mark Martin in drivers with the best finishes over the last six races. McMurray's 17 top-10 finishes this season tie him with Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. for second most in the NEXTEL Cup Series. Jeff Gordon's 20 top-10 finishes lead the way.

* The Battle for 11th: McMurray heads into Talladega sitting 11th in points. He has a 99-point cushion over 12th-place pursuer Kevin Harvick.