I agree the chase has definitely changed the way things shape up. However, this change was made for entertainment purposes. It's not to appealing to the fan to see the same guy have nothing to race for over the last 6-8 races. They had to put a challenge in it. It is already getting to be that way with Jimmy johnson. Nascar needs a solution. I believe a way to solve it, without getting rid of the chase (which I think is good for the sport), is to alter the schedule more. These drivers have been doing this lonf=g enough to know track conditions at each track in each race. they need to flip flop the races, or add more north races in the summer to alter the fall season a little more. The season is so long, it makes it tough, but why not mix it up with a road race in Mexico City during the chase? Anything to not gift wrap it for Johnson.
And Jeff Gordon hasn't won one since Ryan Newman came on the scene....so Newman is better then Gordon? Your logic not mine. And for the record, Gordon was a rookie in '93. Earnhardt won the title in '93 and '94. Quit being a Gordon homer. Nobody in there right mind would place Jeff Gordon over Dale Earnhardt.
I'm starting to doubt his actual talent. I think he's the biggest example in Nascar history of what having a good crew chief can do for you.
Now I understand why everybody hated Gordon so much. It should be much more intenses for JJ though. I mean christ we haven't seen a different champion since 2005. It's like everything goes his way. I will be truely shocked if he doesn't win the championship again. Behind the scenes, NASCAR has got to be pulling for a tight chase this year with a new champion.
Evernham was a phenominal crew chief...one of the best ever, but Gordon was/is a wheel man. He'd throw that car in places not many others could. You don't see Johnson doing that. For those JJ fans out there, I'm not saying he sucks. He is the best ever in not fucking up. He is as consistant as it gets. But, what seperated the great drivers from the elite, and still does, is the drivers ability to make something happen to change his fortune for the better on the track. JJ doesn't do that. Chad Knaus does. That's why I don't think JJ is the "elite" driver that his record suggests he is. Def great, just not elite.
Vegas lineup: Code: Order Driver (No.) Car Qualifying Speed 1 Kurt Busch (2) Dodge 188.719 2 Jeff Gordon (24) Chevrolet 188.646 3 Ryan Newman (39) Chevrolet 188.180 4 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) Chevrolet 188.173 5 Kyle Busch (18) Toyota 188.153 6 Joey Logano (20) Toyota 187.611 7 Greg Biffle (16) Ford 187.598 8 Mark Martin (5) Chevrolet 187.500 9 Tony Stewart (14) Chevrolet 186.942 10 Juan Pablo Montoya (42) Chevrolet 186.793 11 Matt Kenseth (17) Ford 186.748 12 Carl Edwards (99) Ford 186.554 13 Clint Bowyer (33) Chevrolet 186.548 14 Sam Hornish Jr. (77) Dodge 186.445 15 Joe Nemechek (87) Toyota 186.355 16 Brad Keselowski (12) Dodge 186.245 17 David Reutimann (00) Toyota 186.233 18 David Ragan (6) Ford 186.188 19 Kasey Kahne (9) Ford 185.995 20 Jimmie Johnson (48) Chevrolet 185.963 21 Max Papis (13) Toyota 185.497 22 Jeff Burton (31) Chevrolet 185.395 23 Scott Speed (82) Toyota 185.236 24 Jamie McMurray (1) Chevrolet 185.109 25 Travis Kvapil (34) Ford 185.058 26 Paul Menard (98) Ford 184.773 27 Denny Hamlin (11) Toyota 184.615 28 Regan Smith (78) Chevrolet 184.590 29 Bobby Labonte (71) Chevrolet 184.552 30 Mike Bliss (36) Chevrolet 184.540 31 Brian Vickers (83) Toyota 184.458 32 Marcos Ambrose (47) Toyota 184.445 33 Michael McDowell (55) Toyota 184.439 34 Kevin Harvick (29) Chevrolet 184.080 35 Martin Truex Jr. (56) Toyota 183.961 36 Dave Blaney (66) Toyota 183.955 37 Elliott Sadler (19) Ford 183.468 38 David Gilliland (38) Ford 181.965 39 Kevin Conway (37) Ford 181.843 40 AJ Allmendinger (43) Ford 181.038 41 Boris Said (26) Ford 176.586 42 Robby Gordon (7) Toyota - 43 Aric Almirola (09) Chevrolet 183.038 44 Casey Mears (190) DNQ 182.248 45 Terry Cook (46) DNQ 180.705
Gets boring watching Jimmy Johnson win every week...on the other hand I like Happy and he's been right on his bumper...
Carl Edwards losing his mind, when he sent Keselowski ass over tea kettle...I guess he didn't think he could have flipped him over the fence and killed 100 innocent people in the crowd....
IMO, there is no greater example of an athlete making a 180 degree turn around in terms of maturity than Kurt Busch. He used to be that young punk that everyone hated. Now, he is a total class act. His jerkoff brother should take a page from his book.
Hey with BMS coming up this weekend, I thought I'd ask if I'm the only one who finds the racing there more than a tad overrated. It's not conducive to passing, the wrecks take out too many good cars and drivers who did nothing wrong but get caught up in it, much more so than at other tracks including Mville, and the racing when they are not wrecking is pretty boring, unless and until someone is catching the leader toward the end. Compared to Richmond, which has two real grooves, BMS is imo pretty mediocre.
I agree, if you qualify all the way in the back or have to use a backup car and start at the back, your chances of passing 42 cars is extermely slim...I end watching and hoping Gordon gets caught in a big one...
I will say though that race Terry Labonte won back in the 90's beating out DE was one of the best ever.
