McMurray joins Bass Pro Shops NASCAR team

Springfield-based Bass Pro Shops will have a southwest Missourian driving its NASCAR Sprint Cup vehicle for the 2010 season.

Joplin native Jamie McMurray will be behind the wheel of the No. 1 Bass Pro Chevrolet as he joins Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. He replaces Martin Truex Jr., who has been sponsored by Bass Pro since 2003. Truex is leaving Earnhardt Ganassi for Michael Waltrip Racing next season.

McMurray is a seven-year NASCAR veteran, and his career began with what was then Chip Ganassi Racing in 2002, when he took the checkered flag at Lowe's Motor Speedway in his second career race.

"We are proud to be able to continue our long relationship with Teresa Earnhardt and Chip Ganassi and we are also excited that a fine young feller from our home state, Jamie McMurray, will be our driver," Bass Pro Shops's Johnny Morris said in a news release.

The 2010 season will be Bass Pro's fifth as a primary sponsor on the NASCAR circuit.