Wednesday, December 8th 'What If' Question

Reviewing the 2010 season brings forth thoughts of best driver, best comeback, best race, etc. And while Jimmie Johnson took home the Sprint Cup Series trophy for the fifth year in a row and is deserving of driver of the year, it might not be hard to make a case for Jamie McMurray being the storyline of the 2010 season.

After being released by Roush-Fenway Racing in 2009 when they needed to cut a car to meet NASCAR's required four-car minimum, McMurray went into the late part of the year not knowing if he was going to have a job. Fortunately, Chip Ganassi came calling and asked McMurray to come drive the deserted No. 1 Chevrolet at Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing.

Ganassi gave McMurray his break in 2003 when he won Rookie of the Year. Then he went to FRF and now was getting a second chance with a man that McMurray considers one of his best friends. They started the year winning the Daytona 500 then the pole at California the following week.

At Talladega in April he finished second Kevin Harvick in a photo finish. McMurray then won the second biggest race of the year, the Brickyard 400 and capped the season off with a third win in Charlotte. Besides making the Chase, it's hard to think that McMurray could have wanted anything else in the season. He was awarded with winning the most poles at the season-ending banquet and became a father during the Thanksgiving weekend.

This was a career year for Jamie McMurray.

But ...

What If @JamieMcMurray didn't return to Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing. Where would he have landed/would he had same results as w/EGR?

@smokinace88 I Think Jamie would have been out of a job had he not returned to EGR

@ARosser14 Without the #1 team its hard to think of anywhere else he could've gone. Maybe the 26, but no he wouldn't have had success.

@Matt_Kacar he probably would of been in nationwide or truck series with a smaller team then egr so he would not of had the same results

@Talon64 I can't imagine Jamie would've found another competitive Cup ride. Might've had to settle for Nationwide.

@cruetten sadly, i think he would've gone to a very under-funded team or no team at all; and no, he wouldn't have had the same results.

@Emily_8388 I think he would have ended up in the Nationwide Series. Possibly JRM instead of Bires.

@nascarjaj im thinking he might not have had a cup ride so he wouldnt have the results

@BigBankHank18 he got the right place at the right time, maybe he could of raced for JR Motorsports

@RoushGirl17 I think he would have had to go to NNS or NCWTS, so he wouldn't have had that kind of success he's had with EGR. #NASCAR

@denver2u That's a darned good what if...Still thinking about my answer...