Luckily for me I am not one of the "torn" fans.

I am glad that;
(1) Brad won.....like you said above, he worked it well and deserved it, as did his CC, his team and Penske for sure.
(2) Jeff won the race.....for 2 reasons.....I like this driver and this will should start the next season with minimal grudges....or none at all, hopefully.
(3) that someone new had a first championship win.
(4) that Bowyer ended up 2nd in overall points......good for him and good for Mikey.
(5) dull as the race was....up until the middle of it, one was not 100% sure that Brad would actually close the deal......I like that bit of adenalin.

I have to admit that I am glad Jimmie did not win it.......I'm tired of him and his blandness.
Even though Bowyer was my first wishful choice to win, Brad was my 2nd......all in all I am very pleased with the results.

I agree with your first 4 paragraphs and the comment about great year for Nascar etc.

1. The chase is clearly manipulated by the powers that be.

2. whats sad is Brad is going to an R&D car for Roush

The 48 driver beat himself 2 weeks in a row, and it cost him the championship. I don't buy his "the tire was going down" story from Phoenix, and I have a feeling he did something to effect the drive train leaving the pits after the lugnut had to be place back on the rear tire. But as they say such is life.

I'm glad Brad won the championship, the kid drove his heart out last season all through this one and has shown what a true competitor he is. Yes there will be some who complain about his celebration, and the immediate after effects, but he had just won the most prestigious American racing championships. Add to that the fact that his car manufacturer is gone from the sport next year, and he is driving for one of the most respected businessmen in motorsports that is just icing on the cake. As long as Brad made all the proper precautions (not driving after celebrating) no harm no foul.

He drives for Miller lite and he gets a bit tipsy after winning the Big One after so short a time in the Cup level.......I say drink away and enjoy yourself.........you've earned a blast or two.....hope Roger and your #2 team are celebrating right along with you.but no driving like Raistwalker said.......

I'm a big Brad fan, but I'll always resent Penske from now on. I'm a MOPAR man, and it's hard not to blame him for Dodge leaving the sport. Now Brad will struggle for a couple years as Penske adjusts to new equipment, a new manufacturer and different people building his engines.

Outlaw.....you could be right....but it could also go ok for them too......wait and see.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 05:45 PM ET  11.20 by Float

Love the way you do an bit about Penske but then close your story with Danica Patrick in the last paragraph.You are a quality ,,,,,,something, but not a good writer.

I'm not a good writer? Sorry about that, I do the best I can. Perhaps it's the content of my blog that upsets you. Did I say something that was untrue regarding Danica?

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 04:30 PM ET  11.20 by Outlaw...

I'm a big Brad fan, but I'll always resent Penske from now on. I'm a MOPAR man, and it's hard not to blame him for Dodge leaving the sport. Now Brad will struggle for a couple years as Penske adjusts to new equipment, a new manufacturer and different people building his engines.

"Resent Penske from now on." I'm not sure how to address that. Dodge made the decision to leave NASCAR - unless you think Roger Penske control's Detroit. My bet is that Penske will put together their own engine program in a year or two.

And furthermore, today's CUP cars are mostly cookie cutters from the ground up. A Ford, Chevrolet or a Toyota is just a facade built around a chassis. I believe they will be just fine next year.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:42 AM ET  11.20 by Raistwalker

As long as Brad made all the proper precautions (not driving after celebrating) no harm no foul.

Oh, yes. The kid did partake in the "beverage" - no question about that. He was well 'ripped.' Good for him

Allow me a moment to say that I truly appreciate all comments to my blog. It honestly humbles me to see that anyone actually reads it. Thank you. And God bless America.

Speaking of Danica.....I guess by now you have all heard that she was voted most popular Nationwide driver yesterday.......and she then tweeted afterwards that she is divorcing her hubby of 7 years........interesting response to an honour LOL

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 06:55 PM ET  11.20 by UncleHubie

"Resent Penske from now on." I'm not sure how to address that. Dodge made the decision to leave NASCAR - unless you think Roger Penske control's Detroit. My bet is that Penske will put together their own engine program in a year or two.And furthermore, today's CUP cars are mostly cookie cutters from the ground up. A Ford, Chevrolet or a Toyota is just a facade built around a chassis. I believe they will be just fine next year.

Who decides to change manufacturers the year after you just won a championship?

Penske left right after Dodge unveiled their 2013 car and everything. Hard to respect somebody that won't leave well enough alone.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 06:58 PM ET  11.20 by UncleHubie

Oh, yes. The kid did partake in the "beverage" - no question about that. He was well 'ripped.' Good for him

I know there are some people who think Brad's actions during his celebrations were "detrimental to NASCAR" but I beg to differ. If anything he showed there are some celebrities out there who know how to have a good time responsibly. While he might still be on his bender, we haven't heard any stories about Brad being pulled over for DUI/DWI.

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 08:43 AM ET  11.21 by Outlaw...

Who decides to change manufacturers the year after you just won a championship?

Penske left right after Dodge unveiled their 2013 car and everything. Hard to respect somebody that won't leave well enough alone.

You are right he is leaving Dodge, but the decision and contracts with Ford were made and signed in like March well before Brad was even in contention. Once those contracts were signed Penske had to honor them no matter what happened.

Before I get jumped for saying Brad wasn't in contention: until you are locked into the Chase you are not in contention to win the championship. We have seen plenty of drivers who were considered locks fall apart and not make the Chase, and thus cannot be a champion.

At any rate, I hope Penske struggles and Ford and crawls back to Dodge on his hands and knees and begs for forgiveness.

Further to what Raistwalker was saying (#16)

Brad K was the following in standings during Ford contract talks March~April 2012:

After Phoenix March 4 =12th
After Las Vegas March 11 = 21st
After Bristol March 17 = 14th
After Fontana March 25 = 16th
After Martinsville April = 12th
After Texas April 14 = 15th.
After Kansas April 22 = 15th
After Richmond April 28 = 13th

So it looked ok but at this point after Richmond he was a sure thing yet.

QUOTE(#18):

Originally posted 12:20 PM ET  11.21 by LittleE~BigMT fan

So it looked ok but at this point after Richmond he was a sure thing yet.

I will say Paul Wolfe and Brad were both willing to take chances when it came down to crunch time, gambling on two tires and fuel mileage while others tended to play it safe. If anything that was enough to throw the 48 off their game enough for mistakes to be made, especially down the stretch.

And please forgive me for hijacking the discussion for a moment:

I would like to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. May all of you and your families have a nice holiday, and be careful if you are going out in the craziness that is Black Friday!