On January 19, 2011, McMurray signed a multi-year extension with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing to continue driving the No. 1 Chevrolet. He won the pole for the Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville, where he finished 7th. Following the massive tornado that went through McMurray's home city Joplin, Missouri, McMurray listed Joplin as one of his racing sponsors to help his town. He blew his engine during the Coca-Cola 600 while battling Matt Kenseth for the race lead. In July, McMurray came close to winning the Brickyard 400 by passing Paul Menard with nine laps left but with four laps remaining, Menard took back the lead and while Menard charged to his first Cup victory, McMurray ended up 4th as a good record of July. McMurray congratulated Menard publicly after the race when he was interviewed about his finish. However, McMurray's second season with Earnardt Ganassi Racing was a disappointment compared to his first; he earned just four Top 10s that year, and finished the season 27th in points.