Phoenix Review and H-MS Preview!

It's not so much phoenix that is the talking point this week, but the events swirling around in the silliest part of the true silly season. Earlier today Chip Ganassi Racing With Felix Sabates announced they have successfully completed a merger deal with Dale Earnhardt, INC. In my own personal opinion I truly believe Dale Earnhardt, Sr. is rolling around restlessly in his grave. There is nothing wrong with Chip Ganassi, the man is a savvy business connoseiur and obviously has some idea of the racing world, at least on the IRL side (keep in mind they've been behind since they lost--er...fired Marlin a few years ago). As far as DEI? They will not be the legacy team that Dale Earnhardt had in mind, they will most likely never win a championship and may not be a factor again for a few years, if ever.
First, let me clarify, I am in no way a member of Junior Nation, he's a fine racer but is overrated for sure. Let me say though that if Teresa had let Dale Jr stay at DEI they would not have to worry about sponsorship woes. If she wanted an at-the-track-owner, like Mr. Ganassi, why did she not keep her step-son, and give him the portion of ownership he wanted? Greed. Max Siegel did a fine job at Sony, but he doesn't have the know-how, or in my opinion the desire to be passionate about racing. He too is a fine business man, but I think was driven by one thing- greed.
I don't like mixing politics and racing, but let me just add that it is that sole mindest that got this country in the economic mess we are ing- greed.
On to the cars!
Phoenix did bring us some great stuff that can be brought up to get fans through the off-season. I'm going to go in reverse on this one. On the last lap coming across the finish line, Matt Kenseth for one of the few times, showed some fire and anger, and had every right to. He came off the last corner hard, bouncing off the wall into A.J. Allmendinger who then slid across the track into Juan Pablo Montoya. What led to these events happened around 7 laps to go when Allmendinger, running fresher tires, attempted to push his nose under Kenseth who was battling fiercly with Tony Stewart, and nudged him up into to stewart. Kenseth probably would have saved it but sicne Stewart was there they both spun taking Robby Gordon with them. Allmendinger drove by just fine. I think due partly in fact that Allmendinger is still 'auditioning' for rides next season.
One of the strangest crashes also happened leading to the peculiar circumstances as the race was winding down (see last post here). With about 39 laps or so to go, Montoya got into Casey Mears and spun him, which caused a multi-car crash and had Scott Speed heading into a cloud of smoke and into the back of David Gilliland's #38 Fusion which was then on top of Speed's car. That brought out a red flag, which is part of the reason ABC thought AFV was presumably more important. It was a pretty nifty race, even though Jimmie Johnson was able to claim another victory.
As far as Homestead-Miami and Ford Championship Weekend go if Johnson doesn't wreck or have mechanical failure he will be the 2008 Sprint Cup Champion, tying him with the Legendary Cale Yarborough, the only other driver to win three championships in a row in the history of NASCAR. If Carl Edwards wins the race while leading the most laps Jimmie Johnson needs to finish 36th, if the 48 Impala SS leads a lap he needs to finish 37th, and 39th if he leads the most laps, which should be a breeze if you lead the most laps. It is not over, officially, and methodically just because Roush-Fenway cars are the Kings of Homestead-Miami. Johnson has finished outside the top ten since 2005 when he was 40th due to an accident, he was second in 2004 and 7th last year after winning the pole. Edwards has never won on the 1.5 mile track in southern Florida, but has as many top 5's as Johnson in less starts. It should be a good race to watch, and if not for the Championship, watch it for the top-35 battle, that's a close one. I'd also recommend watching both the Nationwide and Truck races as their points battles are extremley close.
I'll have a review up shortly after Homestead and then I will begin my off season topics.