Pedal to the Metal

While most - if not all - Jimmie Johnson fans would say a third consecutive Sprint Cup Championship would not be bad for NASCAR, others are saying they feel a change or two to the Chase might be in order.  Some of the changes that are being bandied about include changing the point structure of each race to make the late chase races worth more in points.  Some are saying there should be a "mulligan" race that each driver can throw out.  Yet another idea is to do away with the "wild card" race at Talladega and move to a more safer track.  The big thing here is...so far...none of the drivers actually IN the chase are the ones clammering for a shake-up.
 
My thoughts are...if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  I understand we, as sports fans, was a "down to the wire" finish.  We also get bored with the same teams winning year in and year out (if they aren't our teams).  But if you starting dickering with the format of the chase, you could really upset the apple cart, and then - when a driver who has underperformed the entire chase comes back and wins by winning a final race - that's worth say 500 points - OH!  Imagine the outcry.
 
So...as we watch to see if Jimmie Johnson can outlast a surging Carl Edwards...who do I like this week in the next to last race of the season at Phoenix?
 
*   I've gotten a lot of phone calls from Jeff Gordon fans saying..."just watch Steele...Gordon will win one of the last races!"  Time's running out for #24.  And this weekend isn't it.
 
*   Gordon's teammate and points leader Jimmie Johnson won this race last year.  I like hihs chances to ice the cup with a Top 5 finish.
 
But...my Checkered Flag Champ this week is Greg Biffle!  He's 3rd in the points standings, and has won two chase races so far.  He'll make it three this weekend!  Greg Biffle WILL WIN THIS RACE!  

Things are getting spooky for NASCAR looking ahead at the 2009 season.  I talked last week about how a "down" economy could and possible would hurt NASCAR.  Now we seem to be getting an even clearer picture.
 
Rumors are swirling that some MASSIVE layoffs could be coming to some teams once the season wraps at Homestead in 3 weeks.  Some folks, in the know, say there could be as many as 1,000 employees laid off from Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and Craftsman Truck teams before Thanksgiving.  DEI, for one, could be seeing a reduction in from 4 teams to 1 team, and that would mean up to 100 people could be out of work.  CBS Sports is reporting that Ganassi Racing could shut down as many as seven or eight teams total - in all three of the series.
 
News is coming out of the JR Motorsports camp that they may be scaling back their Nationwide teams.  As of now, they have the #88 and #5 cars for Nationwide.  What I am hearing is that the #88 car will be driven, exclusively, by Brad Keselowski.  The #5 car may not run at all...or if it does...it would be on a limited basis and the car would be driven by team co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr, Mark Martin, and Cedar Rapids' Landon Cassill.  How this move would affect Cassill's place with Hendrick remains to be seen.
 
Well...now that I've bummed you out...let's talk about this weekend's race at Texas Motorspeedway!  As far as the Chase goes, Jimmie Johnson needs to average 9th place in each of the final three races to win the cup.  That is definitely not out of the realm of possibility.  Will he win this week?  NO.  And here's why.
 
The last three winners of the Atlanta Fall race have gone on to win the next weekend at Texas!  That's a pretty amazing stat.  So, if history holds true, we should see Carl Edwards doing his back flip on Sunday.  Am I taking him this week?  Nope.
 
This week, as I go for my THIRD WEEK IN A ROW PICKING THE WINNING DRIVER...my Checkered Flag Champ is Denny Hamlin!  He's never won here, but he has 5 Top 10's in 6 races.  This weekend...he takes the checkered flag.  Denny Hamlin will win this race!     

We’re down to four races in the chase and Jimmie Johnson has opened up a cushy 149 point lead.  Will he be able to hold that lead?  I’d say yes.  However, one lead that DIDN’T hold that has been brought to my attention was a lead of 144 points back in 1992.  That’s when Bill Elliot was sitting pretty and Alan Kulwicki was 144 points back.  To show that a lead of that magnitude isn’t insurmountable, Kulwicki poured it on and Elliot faltered handing Alan Kulwicki the cup!  So…did I tell you that story because I believe history will repeat itself?  NO.  It’s just been REALLY slow in the NASCAR news department, so I thought a quick history lesson would be a fun way to lead up to this week’s race.

 

Speaking of this week.  Looks like rain for HOTLANTA and the qualifying today.  If qualifying is rained out, it will be the 10^th rainout this season and as always, the drivers would start in the order they are in the points standings.  My extensive knowledge of meteorology tell me…expect rain…which means Jimmie Johnson will start 1, Biffle 2, and Burton 3.

 

But…my Checkered Flag Champ this week is Carl Edwards!  Edwards is behind the 8 ball and needs a win badly to make a run for the championship.  I expect the chase to tighten, and I expect Carl Edwards will win this race!!

The #1 thing on everyone's mind recently has been the economy.  So I thought I'd do a little research into how a crappy economy can affect NASCAR.  Can NASCAR be affected?  Earlier in the year, I talked about the price of gas and how that was hurting some teams when it was coming to travel for team members and equipment.  Now, with the recent downward spiral, are teams once again being hit?  The answer is yes.  Some teams say they are having trouble landing sponsors for the 2009 season.  What was once a lucrative move by businesses and sponsors - lining up to grab the sponsorships (that can be as high as $30 million dollars for an entire season) is now a tough sell for some companies.  Even well known drivers like Ryan Newman don't have full rides for the 2009 season yet.  It doesn't mean they won't...they just may have to drop their asking price.  That, in turn could open up a whole new breed of sponsorships for companies that normally wouldn't have the money to do such a thing.  We could go from Target, Pepsi, and Crown Royal to Dollar General, Shasta, and Boone's Farm.  Hmmm...now that I think about it, the hardcore NASCAR radical fans might better associate with those sponsors anyway.  I KEED!  I KEED!
 
Five races left and still no win for both Matt Kenseth or Jeff Gordon this season.  I have to admit, I was obsessed with Jeff Gordon for a while.  I was always thinking - THIS will be the week...it HAS to be.  But after I saw what Gordon said this week, I have changed my tune.  In a nutshell, Jeff Gordon said (and I paraphrase here) "if we don't win a race this year, that doesn't mean we didn't do well.  There is always next season."  Thus...ending my unhealthy obsession with picking Jeff Gordon for the Checkered Flag Champ!
 
Who do I like at Martinsville?
 
-  Carl Edwards needs a good finish to get back near the top.  He's dropped to 4th in points.
-  Other the other hand...Greg Biffle has made a nice move up to 3rd, and I like his chances.
-  Then...there is the new guy...the rookie with the name built for NASCAR - driving the #84 Red Bull car this weekend at Martinsville....Scott Speed.  He may not finish in the Top 30...but I LOVE THAT NAME!
 
But...my Checkered Flag Champ this week is points leader Jimmie Johnson!  Johnson has waited to peak until the right time.  His peak will continue...as Jimmie Johnson WILL WIN THIS RACE!
 
 
 
  

Ok…who’s up for a good fight?  Apparently Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards are!  As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, Edwards and Harvick got into it in the garages yesterday and the two had to be pulled apart by their respective crews.  The reason for the scuffle?  Last weekend’s tomfoolery at Talladega that ended in a wreck.  What amazes me is that these two are challenging for the Chase…so why are they fighting over something that is over and done?  What would they do if NASCAR stepped in and penalized them each 100 pts for this bout with idiocy?  Leave it on the track boys.

 

Good news for Denny Hamlin.  He was given the “all clear” to race this weekend after being involved in a collision with the wall at Talladega last weekend.  Hamlin was held overnight at a hospital after the punishing crash…and he WILL NOT race the Nationwide race tonight, but he WILL be behind the #11 car tomorrow night at Lowe’s.

 

Speaking of Lowe’s and the race tomorrow night, we already know the starting order as rain caused the qualifying to be cancelled yesterday.  That means that points leader Jimmie Johnson will be on the pole for tomorrow’s race under the lights.  Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle will be starting #2 and #3.  Will that make a difference in how they finish? 

 

I will say this, nobody is better at Lowe’s than Jimmie Johnson.  He has five wins and 11 Top 10’s in 14 races.  The ONLY one who is almost as good is his teammate and my Checkered Flag Champ pick this week – Jeff Gordon!  I’m going with Gordon again this week.  Jeff Gordon will win this race!    

When the big NASCAR news of the week is a new paint scheme for Jeff Gordon’s car, you KNOW it’s a slow week.  But…being that’s the hand I’ve been dealt, I’ll go with it.

 

Jeff Gordon was on the Today Show yesterday and unveiled the new paint job for the #24 car.  The new colors and scheme won’t happen until next season, but we got a sneak peek and I’ve gotta say…I like it.  The fire and flames are still there, but gone is the blue, and the flames and DuPont logo will now be up against a sharp black.  Want to see a picture of the new paint scheme…go to khak.com and click on the Brain and Steele page and go to the Checkered Flag Champ!

 

Now…it’s Talladega this weekend.  Other wise known as….TALLADANGEROUS.  While we all wait for “the big one”…who will be leading the pack and winning the race?

 

• I actually like Kyle Busch’s chance to come back and make some noise this      weekend.  He won here in April and his back is against the wall.
• Another guy who is in a “must move up” situation is Dale Jr.  He’s no stranger to winning at Talladega…and if he’s going to challenge for the cup…NOW is the time.

 

But…my Checkered Flag Champ this week is Jeff Gordon!  Yes, he’s winless so far in 2008.  But that cannot last much longer.  Truthfully.  Seriously.  The season is coming to an end.  He will win and he will win this weekend!  Jeff Gordon will win this race!

Webster’s Dictionary defines KARMA as:

 

“the force generated by a person's actions…to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person's next existence”.  Now if that seems a little too advanced for some of y’all, don’t worry…I have an easier definition…and it goes a little something like this:

 

KYLE BUSCH.

 

After dominating many races and just plain getting lucky in others before the chase, Kyle Busch had a nice little lead when we got down to the final ten races of the 2008 season.  Ahhh…but then KARMA jumped up and reared it’s ugly head.  You see, along with his wins, came an air of arrogance with Kyle Busch.  A rub from one driver and poor Busch would throw a fit, maybe even retaliate with a hit on a car when the race was over.  Lots of whining and complaining followed but we headed into the chase with Kyle Busch looking like the favorite to win the Sprint Cup.  Ahhh…but then KARMA.  After two chase races, we see Kyle Busch in DEAD LAST in the chase for the cup!   Poor Kyle Busch.

 

Now….on to drivers who matter this weekend.  I have three words for you:

 

·                    Bowyer

·                    Biffle

·                    Burton

 

I look for all three of those drivers to be in the Top 10 this week tightening up the chase race.

 

But….my Checkered Flag Champ this week is Jimmie Johnson!  He’s 2^nd in points, and finished third here last year.  Look for Chevy to make a push in the standings for the Manufacturers Cup and Jimmie Johnson will win this race!  

It’s been a slow week NASCAR news-wise…but I have dug up a couple of interesting pieces I’d like to share with you.  So let’s get going…….

 

It seems as if some thieves were REALLY into NASCAR or REALLY stupid after they broke into a Roush/Yates Racing garage in North Carolina this week and stole three of the team’s engines.  Police say the crooks made a hole in the wall of the garage, climbed in, and rolled out the engines and into a van they stole from Penske Racing!  (At least they weren’t biased to one race team).  Officials with Roush/Yates say the engines were built for NASCAR and can’t just be dropped into any car.  The value of each engine is said to be $50,000.

 

 

Remember when Jeff Foxworthy did the whole “you might be a redneck” schtick?  Well…I’ve got a new one.  “If you’re sitting and watching a NASCAR cartoon…you might be a redneck.”  And that is what’s going to happen.  Fox has signed Foxworthy to produce the new cartoon that will be based on a dysfunctional family and their love of NASCAR.  Seriously…this sounds like it might be funny.  We’ll let you know when it will start airing.

 

One the air this weekend….race TWO of the CHASE!  The northeast swing of the NASCAR tour 2009 continues with a stop in Dover this weekend.

 

• Kyle Busch has had some success here.  In the 7 Sprint Cup races he’s been in at this track, he has 5 Top 5’s!
• Jeff Gordon has 4 wins here and he should be near the top.
• Ryan Newman has 3 wins…although…as usual…he will probably under perform.

 

However…as I attempt to win my 3^rd Checkered Flag Champ in a row for the first time this year…I have to pick Carl Edwards!  Edwards has four top 5’s in 8 races and has one win.  Look for #99 to be #1 .  Carl Edwards will win this race!

 

Let the chase begin!  We are officially headed into the homestretch of the 2008 NASCAR season with this weekend’s race in New Hampshire.  One thing to look for this week is a lad by the name of Joey Lagano.  Lagano is 18 years old and will be behind the wheel of the #96 car.  Logano will be taking over for Tony Stewart in a Joe Gibbs Racing car when the 2009 season gets under way.

 

UPS is ready to move forward with a new driver and car.  A news conference is reportedly scheduled for today and UPS will announce that it will be sponsoring the #6 Roush car next year and sources say the driver of that car is David Ragan.

 

I’m sure by now you’ve heard all about the scandal involving Craftsman Truck Series stud Ron Hornaday and his admition that he was on the “juice” back in 2004-2006.  The story broke this week that Hornaday was using steroids and his wife was using HGH at the same time.  Hornaday says he was using the steroids to treat a medical condition and not to better his racing.  This SHOULD kick NASCAR into high gear to get a full-blown drug testing program up and running in the near future.

 

So we move north to the smallest state on the NASCAR schedule – New Hampshire.  With the “chase” in place…here’s who I like to do well in this race!

 

• Ryan Newman has 4 poles at this track along with two wins.  No…he’s not in the chase…but he should fare well.
• Denny Hamlin has four top 10’s in five races…so I look for him to be near the top.
• Jimmie Johnson seems to be heating up at the right time.  He won’t win…but should come close.

 

BUT….my checkered flag champ this week is pretty much a stud in New Hampshire.  Tony Stewart has finished in the Top 5 over 50% of the time he races here.  He’ll add to his win total at this track this weekend.  Tony Stewart will win this race!   

Just a few loose lugnuts to tighten down this week....so let's get movin'.
 
First - Penske racing has announced David Stremme will be taking over behind the wheel of the #12 car for the 2009 season. Of course, that opening was vacated after Ryan Newman bailed and announced he'd be teaming up with Tony Stewart on his new team next season.
 
Second - Poor little Dario couldn't hack it in NASCAR - so he's going back to IndyCar racing. Ganassi Racing has announced that they will be putting Dario Franchitti in one of their Indy cars for the upcoming 2009 season. (Sigh) That's what happens when ya can't hack it with the big boys.
 
And third - more spots will be filled for the Chase this weekend. Two spots will be filled as the race starts with both Greg Biffle and Kevin Harvick claiming spots just by driving past the green flag. Others who could see their positions in the chase solidified include Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, and Denny Hamlin. Stay tuned to see who finishes where.
 
This weekend NASCAR isn't the only thing invading the eastern part of the state. Hurricane Hanna is bearing down on the region, and NASCAR has determined that if need be, they will postpone the race. For up to the minute information you can go to rir.com to find out what is going down.
 
As for the drivers I like.....
* Defending champ Jimmie Johnson. He seems to be peaking at the right time.
* Tony Stewart finished 2nd here in this race last year.
* Carl Edwards finished 42nd here a year ago....but he's white hot.
 
However...my Checkered Flag Champ this week hasn't won a race yet. But he's still in the chase for the chase. Makr it down folks...Jeff Gordon will get his first win of the year this weekend. Jeff Gordon WILL WIN THIS RACE!