--(Cont'd From Front Page)-- At the checkered flag of last summer’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway, Jamie McMurray edged Kyle Busch for the victory by a margin of only .005-seconds, the second-closest margin since NASCAR instituted electronic scoring in 1993.

That spectacular under-the-lights ending has been nominated in the “Best Finish” category.

“Looking back on the win at Daytona, and remembering that night is one of the best memories I have,” McMurray said. “It's really cool to see the replays of the finish and to see just how close it really was. I never thought that it would be a nomination for an ESPY Award. The vote is completely left up to the fans, so we'll see how it comes out. It should be a good night.”

McMurray, who will attend the ESPY show in Los Angeles, admits to a bit of star-gazing.

"I don't know if there’s one other athlete that I'd like to meet,” he said, “I'm just looking forward to the whole event.”

Busch also is nominated in the “Best Breakthrough Athlete” category and, not surprisingly, in the “Best Driver” category.

Two-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson and current NASCAR rookie Dario Franchitti also are nominated for Best Driver.

Franchitti’s nomination was based primarily on his splendid 2007 season in open-wheel racing, when he won the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series championship.

The show – hosted annually by ESPN – will be televised on Sunday, July 20 at 9 p.m. (ET) on ESPN and ESPN HD, hosted by Justin Timberlake.

“It's pretty cool to be selected for an ESPY Award, and is really a once-in-a-lifetime chance to go out to L.A. for the show,” McMurray said. “I know both my girlfriend and I are excited about the chance to go out there and meet athletes from all types of different sports.”

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