Headin' to 'Dega

I've been in Virginia with the KSU Formula SAE Team, so I haven't had much time to give to my site. However, I'm really hoping to be home in time to watch the Talladega race. So, I'll cut to the chase and give you my picks!

1. #29 - It was released earlier this week, after this race Todd Berrier will be moved to RCR's 07 team of Casey Mears; I think Harvick and Berrier will be able to visit Victory lane once more before ending a rather long run together.
2. #14 - Tony Stewart has been fast, and he's good at restrictor plate tracks; if he can stay out of other's messes, He should pose a strong challenge for the lead.
3. #24 - He's dominated this track before, several times, and there is a good possibilty he can extend his points lead this weekend.
4. #88 - It's been a while. I have a hunch he'll be back up front
5. #18 - Last year's winner anyone?
6. #48 - All Hendrick and Roush powered cars should be strong, so the Reigning Champ should be up there by the end of the day.
7. #42 - If he can control himself and show patience he should be a contender throughout the day.
8. #33 - The Cheerios team has started to stumble, Talladega could be where they regain some solid ground.
9. #99 - LIke I said, Roush-Yates power.
10. #96 - He's good, he's Bobby Labonte.

Dark Horses

• #16 Greg Biffle
• #98 Paul Menard
• #07 Casey Mears

Lap Leader: Tony Stewart
Pole: Mark Martin

Notes: Harvick with a pass for the lead in the final 3 laps.

Amongst Historical Greatness

Pearson or Petty?
Allison or Yarborough?
Earnhardt or Gordon?
Now, we must ask ourselves Johnson or Edwards?
It is evident there is a rivalry brewing in NASCAR, not like the old 'beat-and-bang, send 'em into the wall' rivalries of yore, but a more cautious one. I don't think it will reach the pinnacles that the others have, but if Edwards has a few more seasons Edwards, not only Johnson, will be in the stories of racing's greatest for generations to come.
Even though, on tonight, the much anticipated achievement Johnson, Chad Knaus's crew and the entire Hendrick organization has sought after, many will boo and jeer and shout allegations of conspiracy, listen not to them. Revel in the fact that we are witnesses to a grand time in our sport's history. Do not hope for misfortune or wish ill health on any of these people. Remember, they too have suffered to get there (2004, Martinsville). Applaud, at least, the genius of Chad Knaus, many call him a cheater, and maybe he is, but based on NASCAR history, and NASCAR past that everyone seems to be stuck in, the cheaters prospered, as long as they didn't get caught. Cheating, even if it is lacking morally, is what drove this sport to the technological enigma it is today; getting every minor improvement, grabbing all the 'grey area' you could - this is yet another aspect that makes NASCAR so unique from the 'stick and ball sports'. Remember this, and remember the history that took place earlier tonight.
Remember this when Johnson finally has a drought; it will come, just as it has to Jeff Gordon. Remember Gordon was supposed to be the next Champion to win the elusive 7 Cup Titles. Now, it seems it will more likely land with Johnson. Weather or not the man from El Cajon, Cali. ever wins another race, let alone championship, he is among the greatest drivers NASCAR and the racing world has ever seen.

Congratulations Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus, the #48 Lowe's Team and all of Hendrick Motorsports for another NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship!
(Hendrick's 8th).

Also, please note, Jeff Gordon now has 7 Cup Championships, 4 as a driver and 3 as an owner. Keep coming back over the off season to see my predictions for next year and a season review of organizations. Also a full race review will but up later this week.




Share

Martinsville Review and Atlanta Preview

With Johnson winning again in the hills of Virginia, many people are ready to call this Chase over. I'm not, and according to NASCAR.Com neither is Johnson or his closest competitors. However, mathematically speaking Burton and Biffle are going to have to make up an average of 38 points a race against Johnson. It is possible, but highly unlikely, more or less if anyone other than Burton or Biffle even have a shred of hope left it's if Jimmie has trouble, and in the past few years, I've seen crazier things happen. It looks like Johnson will tie Yarborough's record after all. Once again, I'm not going to call this over until, at earliest, heading into Phoenix/after Texas.
Last week's race at Martinsville was fairly typical, it lead to a somewhat exciting finish with the same result we've seen as of late - a Hendrick car in victory lane, I can't say I expect that to change anytime soon, remember, they always seem to have an extra incentive for winning there since the plane tragedy -- it makes me wonder if they'd be even more dominant if Randy Dorton were still alive. Regardless, Knaus and crew had excellent pit stops and simply have put Jimmie in great cars week after week, now that they've finally figured out this new car.
History tells me though, that eventually this luck should run out, but as things are going, it may be a few years, we'll see; remember though, Jeff Gordon probably would've had more championships than 4 right now, but should haves, would haves, and could haves make no difference. So what does Atlanta look like?
First off GOOD NEWS -- According to NASCAR.com the tire issue we saw in the spring (incredibly hard tires, no handling, no passing) have been done away with and Goodyear has brought a softer compound that the drivers seem to be happier with.

True Contenders:
OK, True Contender:
Jimmie Johnson as much as I hate to say it, the likelihood of Johnson losing this championship is rather small, it's there, there is a possibility he will lose, but it grows more distant each week.

Fightin' Chance:
Jeff Burton: He's been through a lot in his career, he's able to keep his chin up and not worry about Johnson, he's hungry and is, in my opinion, long overdue for a championship, he will need Johnson to slip up just a bit to have any hope though.
Greg Biffle: He's been quietly hanging on this whole time, and I wont' count him out until he's mathematically not able to catch Johnson, he works wonders at Homestead and if he's within a hundred points or so coming into Ford Championship Weekend, he may be able to catch Johnson.
Carl Edwards: Fights always seem to mess competitors up. Edwards has been strong at the Hampton, Ga. track since his first start there, if he's going to make up points on Johnson it's going to be this week and next.

Waiting on others' mistakes:
Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick: These RCR teammates will most likely not be a factor in this year's chase from here on out. We'll have to wait another year, but I be live both of these guys are deserving of championships and will be champions one day.

Counting the days until Daytona:
Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Bush, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon. I don't' see any of these guys really challenging for the championship this season so look forward to my season review and '09 preview over the off season. The only thing to expect from these guys is Jeff Gordon to win one before the end of the season, it will most likely come either this weekend at Atlanta or in two weeks at Phoenix.

Special note---Podcast versions of the season review and 2009 preview will be available as well. Both on iTunes or directly from dtsgarage.podbean.com