From the Marbles - NASCAR

From the Marbles

Mon Nov 02, 2009 4:01 pm EST

Chase Watch 2009: Resistance is futile

By Jay Busbee

With only three races left in the season -- and, in all likelihood, much less than that left in the Chase -- we look at the contenders, the pretenders and the future champions.

Current standings (movement): Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Juan Pablo Montoya (+1), Tony Stewart (-1), Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle (+1), Ryan Newman (-1), Kasey Kahne (+2), Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin (-2), Brian Vickers.

Who's up: Why are those two men smiling? Because they're the only two who were happy after Sunday's snoozer. Jamie McMurray wasn't a part of the Chase, but he got a much-needed win. Jimmie Johnson, simply by standing still while the whole world fell apart around him, pretty much clinched the Chase on the first day of November. Oh, and Kasey Kahne did well and moved up two spots, which is nice for him.

Who's down: Everybody else. At one point, Johnson's pursuers were within 30 points of him. But then the final Big One collected Gordon, Martin and Montoya, and that was pretty much that. Denny Hamlin continued his up-and-down Chase with a downer that dropped him out of the top 10 and, for the moment, means he's out of the running for a trip to Vegas at the end of the year for the awards banquet. Yes, that's what they're driving for now.

Outlook: It's all but a done deal for Johnson, who now has nearly a 200-point lead on the field with three races to go. (To put that in perspective, if he has a 196-point lead going into Homestead, he doesn't even need to show up.) Let the screaming and complaining continue, but it's irrefutable -- Johnson is the unchallenged king of NASCAR right now, and nobody else is even close.

All right, you're up. Your thoughts on the Chase? Go!

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69 Comments

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  1. On the Rise
    1. Posted by On the Rise Mon Nov 02, 2009 4:40 pm EST

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    Plate racing and COT make Talladega a relatively boring race. I stepped away for 30 minutes or so during the race and saw the same single file group as I saw when I left. NASCAR telling drivers not to drive is like NFL telling players to play two hand tag. The style of racing at Talledega has been this way for years and then NASCAR says don't race that way anymore. What's going on? I should build car, buy an engine from Hendrick, and enter the race at Talladega next year. If I hang out back, log laps, and miss the big one, I should finish 25th at worst. Look at the grandstands. It's not the economy. It is NASCAR. It's product is not what it used to be.
  2. raiderron64@...
    2. Posted by raiderron64@... Mon Nov 02, 2009 4:58 pm EST

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    Johnson just wins points because the way he races and his team is consistant race after race.
  3. robbie
    3. Posted by robbie Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:07 pm EST

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    Nascar is a joke!!! No bump drafting park Waltrip during pracrice!!!!! It over Nascar i am done with this junk sport that makes rules to protect who they want to!!!!!!!JJ CRASH AND DIE!!!
  4. Jaybo or Skarni
    4. Posted by Jaybo or Skarni Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:31 pm EST

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    I think Nascar needs to quit pulling rules out of their butt. That's lame. I also think Jimmie Johnson is a cheater, as he was caught so many times before with ridiculous modifications to his car. Who knows how many wins he's gotten away with doing crap like this?
  5. ReneR
    5. Posted by ReneR Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:43 pm EST

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    Jimmy johnson is about to do what no other driver in the history of NASCAR has done...win the cup 4 times in a row. I'd be on his team even if he wasn't a relative ! Go Jimmy !
  6. Masterkush
    6. Posted by Masterkush Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:03 pm EST

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    Jimmie Johnson has taken over the Rednecks sport...I think its so hilarious. This shows that any man with some intelligence can go into a good ole boys house take a [profane] on their carpet, screw their wife eat their steak, crap on the carpet again and say...Good Day :-)
  7. G M
    7. Posted by G M Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:08 pm EST

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    I don't know bout you all, but the past two chases are prime examples of why there shouldn't be a chase. This year, with the old format, we would have a three way battle right now for the points lead between JJ, Tony, and Gordon. That would actually be exciting to watch. Last year it would have been a battle between Carl and Kyle all the way to the end with Carl winning it in end. Now that would have been excitement. This just goes to show you dont need a 10 race shootout to see who the best driver in nascar is. The chase is a Joke!
  8. Phoenix H
    8. Posted by Phoenix H Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:24 pm EST

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    The chase might be a joke, but Jimmie isn't. Even without the chase, he would've been right there at the end.
    He will go down as one of the best ever, and he isn't even halfway finished with his career so far.
    Congratulations to Jimmie Johnson and the Lowe's Team for building another excellent championship run.
  9. Jim
    9. Posted by Jim Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:25 pm EST

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    I don't think that most people realize what a huge asset Chad Knaus is for Jimmy Johnson. Chad's call to bring johnson in for fuel before NASCAR red-flagged the race was the reason jimmy got a top 10 finish instaed of maybe 20th or worse. Remember Knaus's gutsy call for tires and fuel with 10 laps to go at Atlanta last year that allowed Johnson to pass nearly everyone and snag a 2nd place finish. Without Knaus, I don't think Johnson would be where he is now.
    Don't think a crew chief is important?? Ask Jeff Gordon. What's he done since Ray Evernham split? NOTHING:
  10. mom2boys
    10. Posted by mom2boys Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:31 pm EST

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    Jay, are you going to ask Jimmie on a date, or what? It's obvious you are in love.
  11. Wesley
    11. Posted by Wesley Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:52 pm EST

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    jj is the man and all you guys can cry if you want to. if it wasn't him, it would be another hendrick team, 1, 2, 3 finish this year, go rick best team out there
  12. Dennie,(plumbkrazy)
    12. Posted by Dennie,(plumbkrazy) Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:13 pm EST

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    lol,after reading the comments,any body that knows anything about nascar can point out a sore loser,and most likely are jr fans,post 3 and 4,you just wish your driver could at least be 3rd or 4th,lol,jimmie is gonna break every record in nascar,hes more like dale sr then dale jr,lol
  13. Rudy88
    13. Posted by Rudy88 Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:26 pm EST

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    Masterkush - From the sound of your whining, I'd guess that you are not able to do any of those things.
  14. coker.trish
    14. Posted by coker.trish Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:47 pm EST

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    Hey Robbie,,that comment was way out of line...telling Jimmie to crash and die..what an idiot you are.....the people that complain about JJ..are just plain jealous of him!!!! get on your driver for not being up to standards!!
  15. James
    15. Posted by James Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:14 pm EST

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    Robbie start watching Golf . The sport is slow and right up your ally. JJ and Chad did a great job. Now #4 is there
  16. RW
    16. Posted by RW Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:19 pm EST

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    Jimmie is a big cheater cheat cheater. He made it rain the other day so he could get the number 1 pit stall. He made Jeff, Mark, and Juan run out of fuel. He made BK hit Kurt and also caused Ryan to crash horribly. He and chad are witches. There is no other logical answer to their dominance. It must be witchcraft, nostradamus, and the lining of the planets. It's a universal conspiracy. Jimmie and Chad are aliens. It all makes sense now.
    signed,
    Mr "I have my head up my ass" idiot
  17. shadowdog87
    17. Posted by shadowdog87 Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:19 pm EST

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    "Why are those two men smiling?"
    ...umm. They aren't.
  18. drlwlsn@...
    18. Posted by drlwlsn@... Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:21 pm EST

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    I have been a big fan of nascar for a long time 25 plus years in my worst vision I'd never seen a
    setup bigger in my life. I love this sport very much, but I'm sick of this Johnson rutine every year.
    This is the worst thing for nascar could have happin to it. I feel that next year thay are going to have
    an even harder time to sell it's tickets and even T.V. time. becouse It's WWF NASCAR styl. The only way I will go to a race is if the ticket came too me free of charge even the parking to, I know
    thare are alot of us how feel the same way. It would be much more enjoyabel if anyone but Johnson
    was to win the big prise, even Mr. Gorden.and I don't like him.
  19. Tracy
    19. Posted by Tracy Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:47 pm EST

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    I love Jimmie to death, have since I saw him win his first race in 2002, but even I am getting tired of it. I don't think he cheats, I just think NASCAR needs to Jimmie-proof things. And I concur - one of the most boring races I have seen (except I didn't see it because I was so bored I walked away until 25 laps to go, which is about what all the drivers did too). Still want you to win Jimmie, just would like it a bit more competitive!
  20. DAVID R
    20. Posted by DAVID R Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:12 pm EST

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    Money talks and that is why Nascar is going down the tubes. Rick Hendrick is Nascar now and the fans are leaving in droves. True fair stock car racing is a thing of the past. I was a fan for 44 years.
  21. leehurlock@...
    21. Posted by leehurlock@... Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:55 pm EST

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    jimmie johnson needs to nut up.. he rides in the back the entire race, thats not racing to me... can you see dale earnhardt sr racing that way? hell no thats why he is in the nascar hall of fame. johnson is a punk.
  22. Michelle
    22. Posted by Michelle Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:04 pm EST

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    You people are all wacked well most of you anyway records are meant to be broke in any sport look at the Baseball,NFL,Hockey yes even the exciting golf give me a break what its not your driver so your P.Oed grow up the sport doesn't need fans like you that are only happy when things go their way.
  23. Kyle P.
    23. Posted by Kyle P. Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:11 pm EST

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    I hope Johnson does have a 196 point lead going into Homestead, so he can show up in bluejeans, lol. I can't wait for the crying and whining on that glorious day. You people are a pathetic excuse for sports fans, but you do entertain me. GO JIMMIE!!!!
  24. Walt
    24. Posted by Walt Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:14 pm EST

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    Post 7 has a point. Give the #48 team credit -they have figured out to WIN and score the most points in the LAST 10 races which is the "Chase". It almost makes the first 26 races meaningless, except to make the millionaire drivers and teams richer. The chase format makes me puke, and has since the beginning.
    Please, someone put together a bootleg race points sactioning body with a website to keep track of the real racin' season, from Daytona in February to Homestead in the fall - make the racing points what they used to be. This would help bring fan interest back, and we would all know once again who the real race champion is. Maybe Nascar would get the message eventually, that this "Chase" format just plain sucks. Bring back tradition and honesty to the sport.

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