Jamie Squire/Getty Images for NASCAR
NASCAR's Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship works for television, but it doesn't work for all of the race teams because I believe only a few, like Hendrick Motorsports and Roush Fenway Racing, are truly capable of winning the title. Everyone else is basically driving in a circle trying to keep the logo on the hood of their car visible.
Jimmie Johnson is on the verge of winning his third consecutive championship, and all he needs to do is 36th or higher in Sunday's Ford 400 to clinch a rare three-peat.
I wonder is Johnson really that much better than all the other drivers? Johnson probably has better equipment. Unlike other sports, the competition in NASCAR involves machines that are equally as important, if not more, as the man.
Sure, there is pit strategy involved as well as the element of luck. But when was the last time a driver for what would be considered small-budget team, relative to the operations run by Rick Hendrick, Jack Roush or Roger Penske, won the championship?
This was the first year that race teams had to run NASCAR's universal Car of Tomorrow, designed with the same specifications to cut down on costs and level the playing field. But the COT seems like the Car of Yesterday, considering that just three drivers -- Johnson, Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch -- have combined to win 22 of the 36 races. So it appears the playing field could be further leveled.
In Jeff Gordon's case, the COT has stripped him of his prowess on the track. Did anyone figure Gordon wouldn't win a race this season? He is not among the group of 12 drivers who have won at least one race this year, compared to 16 last year. So in its first full season, the COT hasn't exactly boosted the competition. Gordon did win six races last season, his highest total since winning that many in 2001, and he had at least two victories in each of the previous 14 years. So you know he can still drive. I'm inclined to think the equipment under his hood doesn't quite measure up to his teammate Johnson.
Meanwhile, the Chase has robbed Gordon. Based on his finishes last year and in 2004, he would have won the championship if NASCAR didn't switch to the current format and kept the previous points system. How fair is that?
Maria Kirilenko
Tatiana Golovin
Did You See That?
Manny Being Manny
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Hendrick Motorsports!
PackersLP21
Titletown, WI
Total Comments (14582)
Or Jeff Gordon dominated the field with his "superior" equiptment early in his career and now the COT has exposed his talents... Not saying that's the case but you can spin it both ways.
Don't understand how he's comparing JJ and Gordon, though. They work together on everything, have the same car owner, and share set-ups.
zdiddy
Total Comments (17)
This ain't true. JOE GIBBS is a winning team and he's able to keep sponsors too!
Plus he's got Joey lined up to take Tony's #20 for next year as far as we know =)
"Cleveland"…
Jamestown , OH
Total Comments (1332)
The key to Jimmies success is the whole Lowe's team ..Chad Knaus is one of if not the best at setting up a car..As for the equipment,Its all the same !!!
Jr.fan
Total Comments (1)
Wow, there's some teams that dominate the Sport??!!?? THanks for that, Captain Obvious
JDawg1447
Jasper , GA
Total Comments (452)
what do you expect. Nascar is no different from baseball, its all about the money....and Jeff Gordon has been shown to be nothing more than another average driver
bobbybigtime
Total Comments (10)
and this buffoon knows what about racing??? oh he might know stick and ball sports but he dont know squat bout racing..... go back to stick and ball stuff and leave the racing writing for the people who know what is going on.....
the dr.
drflavio309
Total Comments (2643)
what a profound statement from a first time poster....I couldn't agree more..
the dr.
drflavio309
Total Comments (2643)
Here's a thought: Hendricks did not start to dominate until NASCAR "punished" Toyota. Right after that "rule Change", Hendrick suddenly became a dominate force. Perhaps Jimmie Johnson owes his championship to the rule changers and not Hendricks? Let the controversy begin.....
Toastysfan
Total Comments (2)
The total program is flawed. NASCAR is in bed with Hendrick. If you look at the RESULTS for the year, Carl Edwards would be first, Kyle Busch would be second and JJ would be THIRD!!
Both Carl and Kyle posted more wins, top 5s and top 10s than Johnson. And don't bring up the poles. Johnson got most of his because of rained out quals. Nascar better get their act together. There are a LOT of fans out here that getting disgusted and bored with the Hendrick racing league.
Steve1157
Thorntown , IN
Total Comments (1)
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