NASCAR Thread.

[Studentdriver]

Actually, you didn't have to say it. You aren't obligated to post in every topic you stick your nose into. I think someone needs to read the AUP.

 

[A Fatal Goodbye]

I think someone needs to get over it.

 

[JohnBM01]

Well, I'm usually critical of NASCAR myself. Thing is, I don't go storming into a thread talking about how bad something is. Think about it like this... I made a thread stating why I didn't like the XBOX all that much. What happened? I got b:censored:slapped. So I think it's a good idea that people who watch NASCAR actually come in and talk about NASCAR news and notes. This isn't a "NASCAR Rules!" thread. It's a general thread for NASCAR types and those who watch NASCAR.

Congratulations to Jimmie Johnson. I love both Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson (Gordon especially). Jimmie Johnson may really stake his claim as a proven winner. It would be an upset if Jimmie Johnson wins the championship over Jeff Gordon because Jeff Gordon's done very well this season. An analogy of this? Think of the 2005 Illinois Fighting Illini that won a whole mess of games, until they lost the season-ending game against Ohio State... then losing in the National Championship game against North Carolina. I'm proud for Jimmie Johnson. We got Phoenix next, followed by the finale at Homestead. A DNF at this point can be absolutely CRITICAL. It may just come down to #24 vs. #48. A Hendrick win-win.


John's Debate! - Clint Bowyer as a Dark Horse
While it may not be likely that Clint Bowyer will win the championship at this point, do you think Clint Bowyer can break up the Hendrick 1-2 by placing 2nd or higher in the final Chase standings?

I'll have another discussion question in the future, but that's the question I have for all of you.

 

[RACECAR]

I'm not a fan of NasCar.

Then why did you feel the need to come into a thread that only talks about it, just to express you displeasure for it? This is for discussing the happenings in NASCAR, not about if you like it or not. I would rather you post that sort of thing in a "whats you least favorite motorsport" type of thread then in a NASCAR-only thread as it makes more sense and less unecessesary clutter.

 

[RACECAR]

You guys are not gonna believe what I heard just a few minutes ago:

Ryan Newman is getting replaced by AL Unser Jr next season.

 

[Studentdriver]

I don't.

Where was this reported?

 

[RACECAR]

I don't.

Where was this reported?

On WindTunnel.

 

[thebtspecial]

That can't be right.

 

[TS]

John's Debate! - Clint Bowyer as a Dark Horse
While it may not be likely that Clint Bowyer will win the championship at this point, do you think Clint Bowyer can break up the Hendrick 1-2 by placing 2nd or higher in the final Chase standings?

I'll have another discussion question in the future, but that's the question I have for all of you.

That would a great feat if he could leap frog Johnson or Gordon, 2 former champions that never seem to falter, but it's quite unlikely he can make up enough points to even get near 2nd in points.

But Bowyer came into this not being the favorite at all, but he's made his fair share of noise and his share of good runs to make a name for himself as a championship contender.

You guys are not gonna believe what I heard just a few minutes ago:

Ryan Newman is getting replaced by AL Unser Jr next season.

I highly doubt that Penske would sack Newman for anybody except Sam Hornish Jr., he's much too good of a driver to get sacked by the son of an IRL legend. It's been reported (and expected to be announced this week) that he will swap owner points with the 2 of Kurt Busch next year so he can be guaranteed spots in the first 5 races. Busch would have to qualify for the 1st 5 on time, and if he doesn't, he'll have that past champions provisional to fall back on.

And for those that would be wondering what would happen with the 2nd Penske entry in the IRL, Ryan Briscoe (who currently drives for penske in the ALMS) would fill that seat.

 

[TS]

For those of you that are wondering what it would take for the other 4 drivers that are still mathematically in the chase for the cup to de-throne the hendrick drivers in the top 2 spots, Jayski put up every scenario possible.

Chase Chances
1) Jimmie Johnson Chase leader
2) Jeff Gordon (-30 points) If he finishes nine places better than Johnson in each of the next two races, or if he wins out and leads the most laps in each event
3) Clint Bowyer (-181) If he wins out and leads the most laps in each event, and needs for Johnson to average a 22nd-place finish or worse
4) Kyle Busch (-339) If he wins out and leads the most laps in each event, and needs for Johnson to not start one race and finish 40th or worse in the other race
5) Carl Edwards (-357) If he wins out and leads the most laps in each event, and needs for Johnson to not start the final two races
6) Tony Stewart (-373) If he wins out and leads the most laps in each event, and needs for Johnson to not start the final two races

 

[WallRunner]

Thing is, Johnson has a past-champions provisional and is in the top 35 in points, unless he gets banned from the next two races, I don't think they have a chance really.

From,
Chris.

 

[JohnBM01]

I still think this season is the season of Hendrick Motorsports. I love Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. I'd love for Gordon to win to make it five titles for him. Plus, he's been on point for most of the season. Jimmie Johnson can show how "for real" he is by winning his second-successive title. Quick debate:

John's Debate! - The Season of Hendrick Motorsports
This one is simple: Gordon... or Johnson? Which Hendrick driver is more likely to win it all at season's end?

 

[RACECAR]

John's Debate! - The Season of Hendrick Motorsports
This one is simple: Gordon... or Johnson? Which Hendrick driver is more likely to win it all at season's end?

I think Johnson will be the one. That 48 team has put the hammer down at the right time and with two races to go, There isn't much Gordon can do.


Off-topic: does anyone besides me notice that the champions are some of the most hated drivers? heres 3 good examples:
Jeff Gordon
Tony Stewart
Kurt Busch



I just find that just strange. Seems like after you've been champ, People don't take kindly to you anymore.

 

[TS]

John's Debate! - The Season of Hendrick Motorsports
This one is simple: Gordon... or Johnson? Which Hendrick driver is more likely to win it all at season's end?

I say Johnson, he knows what it's like to be in this position under the chase format whereas Gordon really doesn't know what he should do under the chase format.

I think Johnson will be the one. That 48 team has put the hammer down at the right time and with two races to go, There isn't much Gordon can do.


Off-topic: does anyone besides me notice that the champions are some of the most hated drivers? heres 3 good examples:
Jeff Gordon
Tony Stewart
Kurt Busch



I just find that just strange. Seems like after you've been champ, People don't take kindly to you anymore.

Bobby & Terry Labonte, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth are also former champions and they don't get booed as much as Gordon, Smoke and big shrub.

 

[Studentdriver]

I say Johnson, he knows what it's like to be in this position under the chase format whereas Gordon really doesn't know what he should do under the chase format.

That's ridiculous. Gordon doesn't know what he should do? Of course he does, he knows he needs to WIN. End of story. When it's this close everyone knows that you need to assume the competition will win if you don't, and to race accordingly.

 

[JohnBM01]

I usually dislike Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch. Why Jeff Gordon is so hated is beyond me. I always say he's done more in NASCAR before age 30 than most other NASCAR drivers past and present. He's a four-time champion. He has more titles than Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch combined (because Kyle has none for what I know). The dopes at Talladega soiled Jeff Gordon in debris when he won there. All for what? Winning in Earnhardt country? It's another reason why I don't align myself with NASCAR fans because of some of the same stupidity he's had to endure both in the media and on the track. Maybe Jeff Gordon isn't some character, tough guy, rock star hardass. At least he does one thing- win. And if he doesn't win, at least he gives his best effort. Jeff Gordon is a Hall of Fame racer waiting to be inducted. He's basically the Brett Favre of NASCAR as far as an accomplished figure that has yet to be recognized with Hall of Fame status.

I'm proud for the #24 and the #48. Jimmie Johnson was basically a protegé of Jeff Gordon. Something I always say is that Jimmie Johnson will be the next greatest sensation once Jeff Gordon hangs it up from NASCAR. He's already in great shape. All he needs to do is stay there and build upon his success. He may be the next NASCAR inspiration after J. Gordon.

 

[JohnBM01]

Don't get mad at me if I say that I don't affiliate myself with NASCAR fans. I'm going to Sound Off on a Fired Up segment of "WindTunnel with Dave Despain" from some lady in Alabama who said that Jeff Gordon needs to beat Jimmie Johnson, or she won't watch NASCAR again. It's one thing to support a driver, but to have this kind of attitude really infuriates me. So... here once again, another rant from about a NASCAR fan ranting about the same hullabaloo...

John Sounds Off! - Is There ANY Good Sportsmanship Left in Racing Fans These Days?
So someone makes a rant about Jimmie Johnson winning all the time. Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are my two favorite NASCAR drivers today. The other non-Chevy person I like most is Carl Edwards. Jimmie Johnson simply was overbearing on Jeff Gordon at Phoenix today. But what constitutes a race fan to say that if somebody trailing the driver in points needs to beat the top driver, otherwise... he/she will no longer watch racing? Here's something for you- Michael Schumacher been beating peoples' asses in F1. Did anyone ever say "beat Michael Schumacher or I'm done as a racing fan?" You have to realize... auto racing is a sport. The "sport" in "motorsports" is there for a reason. Every great player or team has had their run of success. Did someone say that Texas better beat USCal in the 2006 Rose Bowl, or that person will no longer watch college football? Did someone ever say that someone needs to beat UCLA or Kentucky when the two schools were winning respective National Championships in basketball? This is purely pathetic. Not to mention another reason why I don't align myself with NASCAR fans.

Jimmie Johnson is having this kind of season because he and his team have worked together to try to find a winning combination. And so far, it's working. He's been more of Jeff Gordon's protegé for some time. Now he's BEATING Jeff Gordon. Hendrick Motorsports is going to win the title, but who? Who do you haters think Jimmie is? Michael Schumacher? Is racing going to hell in a handbasket all because someone not from the American Southeast is winning races and championships in NASCAR? This is really stupid. Oh, but if Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins a championship, all is well again. No haters, nobody despising Dale Jr., life is great. What if Juan Pablo Montoya won the championship? People would be saying that NASCAR is crap because an American driver isn't winning in an American racing series. But... isn't there a guy in Champ Car named... Sebastien Bourdais that won the championship four successive years? How many people complain then? The Champ Car World Series is an American motorsport that has seen Americans go up against worldwide talent. It's why I got into (then) CART before I ever became in love with NASCAR. I always thought being the best meant that you had to take on a world of talent. It's my classical concept- being the best in motorsport means you must take on the world's best talent. America and Canada doesn't make up "the world." You have to prove yourself against a world of talent racing some of the finest race cars available. Or at least, very competitive race cars. I've had Sound Off sessions like this before. I've been so opposed to the sort of nativism some NASCAR fans seem to have. Nativism in the sense that real drivers have to come from the American southeast. Jimmie Johnson has done an amazing job. He knows how to win races, breaks kind of go his way... a REAL motorsports fan would acknowledge this and sing the praises of such a driver rather than take a cheap shot and say the driver is an anti-Christ of racing. What did Jimmie Johnson do wrong? Is he a drama queen like Tony Stewart or Kurt Busch? No. Are they in contention to win a championship? HELL no. Does Jimmie Johnson go around punting cars off the road and getting into fights like he's the school bully? No. He and Jeff Gordon are mostly people focused on racing and do a great job at it. What constitutes such hate? Give me a legit reason.

This again proves how ludicrous some fans can be. I hope all the haters of Jimmie Johnson and/or Jeff Gordon have GTPlanet accounts so they can read me clearly. Hendrick Motorsports does what they can to win races no matter what the most hardened critics think. They aren't ruining racing. You don't go out and tell some other driver to PLEASE beat the leading driver, otherwise you won't watch another NASCAR race. In addition to 2nd trailing a 1st driver, you don't tell the 2nd Place championship driver to beat HIS TEAMMATE AND GOOD FRIEND! And if Jeff Gordon doesn't beat Jimmie for the title and you don't want to ever see a race again because of this? All I can say is... bye-bye. One less of a classless race fan with no sportsmanship or honor. And basically, this goes for ANY team in NASCAR or any other motorsport in this universe. It all goes to why I don't associate myself with NASCAR fans. Because while I'm not a NASCAR diehard, I do still have my favorites in NASCAR. Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and Carl Edwards are my three favorites in NASCAR racing today. I've loved them even if other types loathed them (especially J. Gordon and Jimmie Johnson). Stuff like what that lady was fired up about Johnson's dominance is as annoying as all those ads trying to make me play a stupid game just to get "free" cell phone ringtones, find out the name of my "secret crush," or reveal my destiny (the ad peeople use "reveal ur destiny." Goes to show you how mainstream types can really annoy people). If Jimmie Johnson wins the championship at Homestead, it's just a great testament to how far Jimmie Johnson has come along in NASCAR since stepping up to Cup. It's not the end of the world. NASCAR's not going to die out. You'll still have your health. In other words... get over it. Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon have simply dominated this season TOGETHER. They are friends battling for one championship. You've got to be kidding me in saying that NASCAR's boring just because someone other than Jimmie Johnson and/or Jeff Gordon are winning. Don't make this into the ALMS or F1 with excessive winning. This was just absolutely classless by this lady. Seems like some people can NEVER be satisfied in racing anymore. It's just pathetic and sad, I'm sorry. Care to defend this crock of poor sportsmanship, fire away. See if I care.

-end "Sound Off"



John's Debate! - Running on Fumes?
Jeff Gordon is about 86 points back. He'll need to pretty much have the race of his life or hope Jimmie Johnson gets into trouble while Jeff Gordon dominates if he wants to win the title. So one last time... will Jeff Gordon win the 2007 Nextel Cup Championship from his seemingly unstoppable teammate, Jimmie Johnson?"

Congratulations to Jimmie Johnson. I can be happy no matter if Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson wins the championship at Homestead. Two of my favorite drivers will race for a title, and only one of them will win it. Great job by these two Hendrick teammates.

 

[RACECAR]

I totally agree with you. If that lady feels that wya, then she wasn't a race fan to begin with. anyone who stops watching a certain sport because The driver they want to win isn't winning has not been a fan to start with no matter what. Another thing I'm repeatly fed up with is with the "good ol boy" attitude that NAscar fans have And I laugh when they get mad about the open wheel stars coming to NASCAR. I think to myself "You'll be so sorry later on". They can't stop the change so there is no point in throughing a unreasonble hissyfit over the fact that Their american driver is getted his clocked cleaned or that Driver from the chiken boy is taking your precious title. Fools

 

[TS]

NASCAR probably should've engraved Jimmie Johnson's name into the trophy, no way in hell he's gonna finish worse than 18th next weekend at homestead, nor will he ride around there either, as he will be driving the car he won Atlanta and Texas with. Jeff Gordon seemed to 'concede' to Johnson yesterday in a post-race interview.

All I can say though is good luck to both.

 

[Studentdriver]

Jeff isn't typically this kind of driver, but I've got a strange feeling that if he catches Jimmie in the right spot on Sunday he's going to spin him out. We've seen how badly he wants this championship and I think he's fed up with these ridiculous occurrences ruining his seasons (even if the existence of the Chase was what did it in the first place).

 

[TS]

Jeff isn't typically this kind of driver, but I've got a strange feeling that if he catches Jimmie in the right spot on Sunday he's going to spin him out. We've seen how badly he wants this championship and I think he's fed up with these ridiculous occurrences ruining his seasons (even if the existence of the Chase was what did it in the first place).

I couldn't see Gordon doing that to any of his teammates, let alone his good friend Johnson, but if that's what it takes to win his 5th title, so be it.

Plus, you really can't blame the chase for Gordon's recent misfortunes, if there was no chase, Gordon wouldn't be racing for every position he could get. He would be going for consistency, as his lead would've been massive at this point, and he would've easily clinched the title.

 

[Earth]

JohnBM01, personally I'm upset that Jeff Gordon won't win the title. If he loses by less then 30 then he was robbed

In any other sport when you finish the regular season with the most wins you start the playoffs #1 WITH an advantage like homefield

In NASCAR Jeff Gordon was 350 points ahead of second before the chase started. And when the chase/playoffs started he was 30 points behind Jimmie Johnson? That's like the Indianapolis Colts scoring more touchdowns in the regular season then the Patriots moves them ahead of the Patriots in the playoffs and gives them home field advantage. Bogus

I'm starting to hate the Chase more and more. Jeff Gordon has an average finishing position of like 6.5 in the chase but Jimmie Johnson's average finish in the chase like a 5.0 so Jimmie is going to win the title because he caught fire during the last 4 races of the season...

NASCAR needs to clean it's chase rules up. No rediculous bonus points to start the chase just for winning. Make the gap between the drivers at the start of the chase larger. In any other sport having a higher seed in the playoffs gives you home field advantage, and playing on your home field is a MUCH BIGGER advantage then a measly 10 point lead the chase gives the leader. I say give the leader at least a 50 point lead to start the chase with everyone else seperated by 15 points a piece.

And ABC's coverage is rather lacking. Suzy Kolber and Brent Musberger don't care about NASCAR, why are they there? Hire Bob Jenkins or even Paul Page. Hire someone who cares and knows SOMETHING about motorsports.

 

[Studentdriver]

About the coverage, I've noticed the acknowledgement of the shindig at New York has increased times ten. Are they gonna televise this or something? Because, frankly, nobody gives a crap about it.

 

[RACECAR]

And ABC's coverage is rather lacking. Suzy Kolber and Brent Musberger don't care about NASCAR, why are they there? Hire Bob Jenkins or even Paul Page. Hire someone who cares and knows SOMETHING about motorsports.

I agree and I absolutely hate Jerry Punch and Rusty Wallace. and now some ALMS races are going to be broadcasted on there in 2008. Good grief, ABC deserves no coverage of any motorsport if all we get is crappy commentary from a retired race car driver and his boring dimwit assistant. ABC = America's Boring Crap:tdown:

 

[JohnBM01]

For one, I love Brent Musburger. One of the best sports voices on the ESPN/ABC networks besides Brad Nessler. I'm guessing Brent Musburger tries to diversify, but you normally hear him doing college sports (same as Brad Nessler). I'm willing to admit the FOX networks have healthy interest in NASCAR. While I don't want to see Speed COMPLETELY swamped with NASCAR (understatement for most), the FOX networks do a wonderful job with NASCAR. What you get with NASCAR on the ABC/ESPN pipe is the sort of stat-crazy deal. I usually associate sports on ABC as being pretty important. That includes MOTORsports. Bob Jenkins has done NASCAR before on ESPN and such. Dr. Jerry Punch was a pit reporter last time I remember NASCAR on the ABC/ESPN networks. I like Paul Page, but I'm better used to him with (then) CART. I'm sure a lot of people wished he would do the IndyCar Series or perhaps return to Champ Car commentary. All in all, I don't pay too much attention to the ABC/ESPN commentary.

I'm sure that Jeff Gordon is trying to make any attempt to make magic happen. It's not usual when Jeff Gordon kind of concedes the title to Jimmie Johnson, but people need to realize: the championship is NOT over! It's possible that Jimmie Johnson could suffer some sort of terrible luck at Homestead. The chances aren't likely, but it could happen. Maybe (and I'm not generalizing) someone like Tony Stewart has a bad day and... uh, spins out the #48. As long as Jeff Gordon can be Johnny-on-the-spot and have the race of his life at Homestead, he'll win (and maybe keep that Alabama lady from WindTunnel watch NASCAR races again). It's not like Jeff Gordon is some "mid-major" facing an uphill battle against Jimmie Johnson. Jeff Gordon is what... 35 years old (I still see him as a spunky kid in his mid-late 20s)? How many titles has he won? Four. He's in his what... 16th season? So it isn't like Jeff Gordon faced adversity before. He has a feeling of conceding the title to Jimmie Johnson much like when John Kerry conceded to George W. Bush in the 2004 election. Did he EVER say that he's going to just sit back and let Jimmie Johnson win the title? Hell no. He's going to go for it like he was trailing by five points and on 4th and Goal on the 1-yard line with no timeouts and 5 seconds left.

Never doubt the possibility of failure by Jimmie Johnson. Johnson doesn't have to do too much to win. Meanwhile, for Jeff, he'll need to have the race of his life and a true come-from-behind victory to win the championship. Homestead should be a great one. No matter who wins the championship...

* Hendrick Motorsports will win
* Chevrolet will win
* two of the series' finest drivers will win well-deserved championships

Now as far as the Chase format, Jeff Gordon's been ahead of Jimmie Johnson for most of this time. He only lost the lead in the championship because Jimmie Johnson had more wins. A bonus for wins would be like seeing teams for March Madness. The most impressive team represents one region with the #1 seed. This championship is basically a Final Four that's boiled down to two impressive teammates. Good luck Jeff Gordon! Good luck Jimmie Johnson! This should be an interesting scrap for that lovely trophy.

 

[toyota_gt1]

i didn't take the time to look so sorry if its already been mentioned but i recall jimmie johnson saying "damn" in his interview on abc. with previous history, penalties?

 

[TS]

JohnBM01, personally I'm upset that Jeff Gordon won't win the title. If he loses by less then 30 then he was robbed

In any other sport when you finish the regular season with the most wins you start the playoffs #1 WITH an advantage like homefield

In NASCAR Jeff Gordon was 350 points ahead of second before the chase started. And when the chase/playoffs started he was 30 points behind Jimmie Johnson? That's like the Indianapolis Colts scoring more touchdowns in the regular season then the Patriots moves them ahead of the Patriots in the playoffs and gives them home field advantage. Bogus

I'm starting to hate the Chase more and more. Jeff Gordon has an average finishing position of like 6.5 in the chase but Jimmie Johnson's average finish in the chase like a 5.0 so Jimmie is going to win the title because he caught fire during the last 4 races of the season...

NASCAR needs to clean it's chase rules up. No rediculous bonus points to start the chase just for winning. Make the gap between the drivers at the start of the chase larger. In any other sport having a higher seed in the playoffs gives you home field advantage, and playing on your home field is a MUCH BIGGER advantage then a measly 10 point lead the chase gives the leader. I say give the leader at least a 50 point lead to start the chase with everyone else seperated by 15 points a piece.

IMO, I liked the original chase format by keeping the drivers in their original points positions, but resetting the points and have 5 point gaps between each point position.

Also, think that the chase field is still kinda lopsided though as there are teams that didn't run very well early in the season (i.e. Casey mears) and then mid-season or so started to run very competitively and win races (again, Casey Mears), but because of the fact that their bad performance earlier in the season and most everyone else's consistency caused them to be in too big of a hole to dig out of. It would be nice to see drivers who have won a race should be in the chase, but we'd cap the number of chasers at 15, they would keep their points position, but the points would be reset exactly like the original chase format.

And ABC's coverage is rather lacking. Suzy Kolber and Brent Musberger don't care about NASCAR, why are they there? Hire Bob Jenkins or even Paul Page. Hire someone who cares and knows SOMETHING about motorsports.

Bob Jenkins currently does ESPN's Indy Pro Series coverage (a series that nobody seems to care about) and Paul Page does ESPN's NHRA coverage.

I much prefered ESPN/ABC's original broadcast crew of Bob Jenkins, Ned Jarret t and Benny Parsons.

What I don't understand is that they hired Allen Bestwick to do their coverage, but he's one of their pit reporters, he did an incredible job doing the play-by-play for TNT and NBC in their day (before he got sacked for Bill Weber), why not replace Punch with him?

About the coverage, I've noticed the acknowledgement of the shindig at New York has increased times ten. Are they gonna televise this or something? Because, frankly, nobody gives a crap about it.

I think Speed channel or ESPN is going to cover the awards ceremony.

I agree and I absolutely hate Jerry Punch and Rusty Wallace. and now some ALMS races are going to be broadcasted on there in 2008. Good grief, ABC deserves no coverage of any motorsport if all we get is crappy commentary from a retired race car driver and his boring dimwit assistant. ABC = America's Boring Crap:tdown:

ESPN's champ car coverage is decent with Rick Benjamin and Jan Beekhuis, at least they know how to call a race and not make the viewers think that they're idiots to the topic, which is what the biggest complaint has been about ESPN's NASCAR coverage, most of the people who tune in every week (like you and me) know how a race car works and find their in-depth explanations about things unnecessary.

i didn't take the time to look so sorry if its already been mentioned but i recall jimmie johnson saying "damn" in his interview on abc. with previous history, penalties?

They'd only fine him if they started bleeping damn on network TV shows.

 

[JohnBM01]

The battle between Jimmie Johnson Jeff Gordon is coming down to the wire (though it looks like a one-way street). But there's another battle that's coming down to the wire. I'm talking to you Craftsman Truck fans. It's Mike Skinner's Toyota going up against Ron Hornady's Chevy. Who do you all think is leaving South Beach with the championship in Trucks?

 

[TS]

I think Hornaday takes the truck title, he's ran better than Skinner on most of the super-speedways this year, but Skinner will definitely give him a fight.

 

[RACECAR]

Hornaday is officially the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion.

The wheels literally came off Mike Skinner’s quest for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship during Friday night’s season-ending Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. As a result, Ron Hornaday Jr. captured the crown for the third time in his eight-season NCTS career.

Skinner entered Friday’s race with a 29-point lead over Hornaday in the standings, but he had problems early in the 134-lap race when he came to the pits because he thought he felt his right front tire going flat, putting him a lap behind the rest of the field.

Then midway through the race, Skinner’s left rear tire went flat and the entire wheel came off the truck before he could reach the pits, forcing time-consuming repairs and dropping him well off the pace. Hornaday stayed out of trouble the rest of the way and went on to finish seventh, giving him the championship by 54 points.

“This is so cool to be a champion. This is unbelievable,” a beaming Hornaday said afterward.

Story Here


Jimmie Johnson on pole

Jimmie Johnson said he was going to try to win his fifth straight race on Sunday, instead of just playing it safe to nurse his championship lead. And based on his qualifying effort Friday afternoon for the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Johnson meant what he said.
Johnson snatched the pole for the Ford 400 with a lap of 176.788 miles per hour, which gives him yet another leg up on his teammate Jeff Gordon, who he leads by 86 points going into Sunday’s season-finale. Gordon qualified 11th.
Not only does Johnson have the big points lead, starting on the pole will give him a chance to earn 5 bonus points at the beginning of the race, which could be yet another dagger in Gordon’s title hopes.
“I’m not surprised with the pole because I felt like today when we unloaded we had a good car and we had a shot at it,” said Johnson. “I’m very happy to cross Friday off the list. I’ll get a good night’s sleep

Jimmie has the title no matter what gordon does. As I said, He put the hammer at a very important time and unless something drastic happens, Gordon will have to be content with second but will also go on knowing he did his absolute best.