Before Sunday, Jamie McMurray was an average middle of the pack racer. In fact, only a few months ago, he wasn't even sure if he would have a ride for the 2010 season. His team downsized from 5 cars to 4 and he was the odd man out. But Sunday afternoon, he raced his way to the new title of Daytona 500 Champion. A title that every driver in Nascar, dreams of having. As he said in his own words, something he has dreamed about since he was a little kid.
I'll be honest, he obviously wasn't my pick going in to the race. I have never been a fan of Jamie. I didn't dislike him at all, I just never purposefully cheered for him. Until Sunday night that is. When he won that race and did his Victory celebration, he turned me into a huge fan. To show that raw emotion and flat out appreciate what he had just accomplished as much as he did, how could you not be a fan? As my friend Karen said, he made the fans forget about the pot hole and the delays and remember what this sport is truly about.
I couldn't agree more. Jamie's win and celebration IS what this sport is all about and it's why I love it so much. As he said very emotionally, When you do something you love so much and succeed at it, you want to share it with those you love so much. Thank you Jamie for sharing your celebration with all of us, you made a fan out of me!
