The Season is Over!!!

Image by Action Motorsports

The season is Over!

The champ has been crowned, once again it is the 48 team. The teams now go back to work on making their teams better for next season.

Some teams will go through major changes. Some will not even be in existence next season. While others will make small changes. And some will remain the same.

The 88 team will probably go through some major changes. This team has a driver who is capable of winning races. But there is something missing there. Don't know if it is the driver, the crew chief, the owner or just the whole chemistry. I do have my suspicions what the problem is.

In my opinion the problem with the 88 team is that it is missing a leader. Someone who can control the driver, the team and the duties of the crew chief. And in my opinion, that person is Tony Eury Sr.

Last night Gunaquat and I were talking and he pointed out Jr. had won most of his races under Eury Sr. Not since Eury Sr. has Jr. had a completely successful year. Not under Eury Jr. or Lance McGrew.

This not to say that it is the other two crew chiefs fault. It is just that Eury Sr. brings something that the other two do not. A father figure. Respect.

Jr. comes rural North Carolina. And in rural North Carolina, you are taught to respect your elders. (Not saying other parts of the country do not teach this, but I grew up in another rural area of North Carolina, so I know how it is taught.) You are taught to never second guess an adult. You are taught to do as you are told. You don't have to agree, but you do have to do it. And Jr. has this embred into him.

It is something that you cannot get away from. When you have two young bucks both trying to be a leader, they are going to butt heads. But when you have an elder leader, the young bucks may butt heads with each other. But few try to take on the elder leader. And those that do, some succeed, others, well they are left to lick their wounds.

Jr. is not ready to take over the role as leader. He is a follower. Therefore he needs someone who can continue to mold him into a leader. I am not saying that he cannot be the leader someday. It is just that right now, he needs someone to help mold him alittle longer. And help him get his confidence back.

And once Jr. has his confidence back, and he is winning races once again, then he will be able step up and lead his team.

Good luck Jr. you are going to need it.

Okay I give Up! I Have Jumped on the 48 Bandwagon!

Well, the NASCAR season is finally over. We all have our opinions as to what was good and what was bad about the season. And I don't think there is any doubt in anyone's mind, that I am sick of the chase format.

So since it looks like Jimmie Johnson is going to be winning the championship until NASCAR changes the Chase format. I think in honor of Ms. 24x2 I am going to pull for her driver. Might as well, get on his bandwagon. Doesn't look like anyone else is going to win.

So for the 2010 season, I am going to pull for the 48 team. And I hope that they do 24x2 right, and win that 5th straight championship.

Good luck Jimmie and Chad. Let 2010 be a banner year for the 48 team.

Now you really didn't buy that did you?

Is There Something Special About Jimmie?

Is Jimmie Johnson winning four championships in a row really all that special?

In a word NO.

I know, I know, you are saying wait a minute Ann. The man has won four championships in a row, no one has ever done that before. Not Richard Petty. Not Junior Johnson. Not even Cale Yarborough. Or even the late Dale Earnhardt Sr.

And that is why it is not that special. These drivers won their championships, working the whole year to win them. They won races, they were consistent the whole year. Not just for ten races at the end of the year.

If it were not for the chase, Jimmie Johnson would not have won four in a row.

If it were not for the chase, Jeff Gordon, would have five championships by now, possibly even six.

Tony Stewart would be fixing to wrap up his third championship of his career.

Carl Edwards or Greg Biffle probably would have a championship by now. At the most Jimmie Johnson would have one.

So the fact that Jimmie Johnson is about to win his fourth championship, after a ten race stretch for four years, is not that impressive.

It is when a guy goes the whole year being consistent and winning races, that he should be crowned champion. Not just after ten races.

So while NASCAR and the media is hailing Jimmie as the greatest champion in NASCAR history, in my mind he is at best a one time champion. Nothing special about that.

Looking Back on some NASCAR Cup Happenings of 2009

I know this alittle early. But let's face it, unless something catastrophic happens to Jimmie Johnson in the next three races he is the champ.

The 2009 NASCAR season has certainly been a season unlike any other in recent memory, yet it also has a feeling of déjà vu.

This season we have seen a new team come in and compete and show that a car owner/driver can be competitive. Win races and even contend for a championship. Before the chase began he was the points leader. And only falling to 2nd when the chase started. Okay technically it is not a new team, it is a refurbished team. But when you compare the two organizations their performance is as different as apples and oranges. Tony Stewart once again you have proven that you ARE the smartest and most savvy driver in NASCAR today. Congratulations on your very successful venture, Stewart-Haas Racing. And to Joe Custard, you are the wisest business manager in NASCAR. Speedbeagle and Katie, better get some new voodoo dolls for next season.

And Cindi next time you are looking down on your favorite driver, maybe you can whisper in his hear, "Here Kitty, Kitty, come and get you some of this". And drive that car into more wins and into another championship.

And not only getting one his cars into the chase but both got in. Kudos Ryan Newman, Tony Gibson and the whole 39 team.

We have seen NASCAR’s favorite driver struggle. Loose his long time crew chief to be replaced by a unfamiliar voice in his ear. And yet he still struggled. All well Gunaquat, there is always next year. Maybe Dale Jr. and Lance will find the chemistry in the off season.

We saw a four time champ, deal with agonizing pain in his lower back and still win races, and contend for a championship. Poor Jeff, just how many more years do you have in NASCAR?

A longtime fan favorite was given a second life this season. He went out and won the most races during the regular season. Came into the chase as the points leader. Each and every week he gave his best and still somehow came up short. Mark you and the 5 team showed that the over 50 crowd still has great years left in them. That is very reassuring since I am only a few short years from the half-century mark myself.

This season we saw a former champion win the first two races of the year and then struggle to win anymore races and even lost his bid to compete in the chase for the first time. Maybe the impending arrival of your 2nd child and 1st for your wife, were alittle more distracting than you thought.

While two of his teammates made the chase, neither of them were ever a contender for the championship. Seems like the Roush guys love to be married, but none since Matt has even really contended for a championship or win, after getting married. Maybe they are just lost in wedded bliss?

We will also see for the first time in NASCAR the first 4 time champion in a row be crowned. Yahoo! Peafowl (24x2) your driver has done it again.
Jimmie I just hope that 2010 is not #5 for you.

And who can forget the 2 team, being told by their crew chief that he would not be back next year with the team. He is only allowed in the shop one day a week and his movements are restricted within the shop. Kurt guess you will be having a lot more outbursts on the radio next year. Roger you might want to install an anti-profanity button on Kurt’s radio next year. So that NASCAR and the FCC does not fine him or you. You know that familiar rule Sect 14.2 Actions detrimental to stock car racing. Sorry Kristen, but Kurt next year looks like it might be a bad year for the Miller Lite team. But then again, I could be wrong. LOL

And who can forget the warning that came down from NASCAR to Brad Keselowski, for racing the chase drivers too hard. Ummmm….isn’t that what he was hired to do? Guess Mike Helton and Brian France needs to go look up what National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing is really.

Oh and let’s not forget last week’s race at Talladega. NASCAR came up with that last minute rule change about no bumping. You were not sure if you were watching a 200 mph protest or a race. It looked more like a protest for most of the race.

More to come after all the season is not over with yet.

Looking Back on some NASCAR Cup Happenings of 2009

The 2009 NASCAR season has certainly been a season unlike any other in recent memory, yet it also has a feeling of déjà vu.

This season we have seen a new team come in and compete and show that a car owner/driver combination can be competitive. Win races and even contend for a championship. Before the chase began he was the points leader. And only falling to 2nd when the chase started. Okay technically it is not a new team, it is a refurbished team. But when you compare the two organizations their performance is as difference as apples and oranges. Tony Stewart once again you have proven that you ARE the smartest and most savey driver in NASCAR today. Congratulations on your very successful venture, Stewart-Haas Racing. And to Joe Custard, you are the wisest business manager in NASCAR.

And not only getting one his cars into the chase but both got in. Kudos Ryan Newman, Tony Glover and the whole 39 team.

We have seen NASCAR’s favorite driver struggle. Loose his long time crew chief to be replaced by a unfamiliar voice in his ear. And yet he still struggled. All well Gunaquat, there is always next year. Maybe Dale Jr. and Lance will find the chemistry in the off season.

We saw a four time champ, deal with agonizing pain in his lower back and still win races, and contend for a championship. Poor Jeff, just how many more years do you have in NASCAR?

A longtime fan favorite was given a second life this season. He went out and won the most races during the regular season. Came into the chase as the points leader. Each and every week he gave his best and still somehow came up short. Mark you and the 5 team showed that the over 50 crowd still has great years left in them. That is very reassuring since I am only a few short years from the century mark myself.

This season we saw a former champion win the first two races of the year and then struggle to win anymore races and even lost his bid to compete in the chase for the first time. Maybe the impending arrival of your 2nd child and 1st for your wife, were alittle more distracting than you thought.

While two of his teammates made the chase, neither of them were ever a contender for the championship. Seems like the Roush guys love to be married, but none since Matt has even really contended for a championship or win, after getting married. Maybe they are just lost in wedded bliss?

We will also see for the first time in NASCAR the first 4 time champion in a row be crowned. Yahoo! Peafowl (24x2) your driver has done it again.
Jimmie I just hope that 2010 is not #5 for you.

And who can forget the 2 team, being told by their crew chief that he would not be back next year with the team. He is only allowed in the shop one day a week and his movements are restricted within the shop. Kurt guess you will be having a lot more outbursts on the radio next year. Roger you might want to install an anti-profanity button on Kurt’s radio next year. So that NASCAR and the FCC does not fine him or you. You know that familiar rule Sect 14:2 Actions detrimental to stock car racing. Sorry Kristen, but Kurt next year looks like it might be a bad year for the Miller Lite team. But then again, I could be wrong. LOL

And who can forget the warning that came down from NASCAR to Brad Keselowski, for racing the chase drivers too hard. Ummmm….isn’t that what he was hired to do? Guess Mike Helton and Brian France needs to go look up what National Association of Stock Car American Racing is really.

Oh and let’s not forget last week’s race at Talladega. NASCAR came up with that last minute rule change about no bumping. You were not sure if you were watching a 200 mph protest or a race. It looked more like a protest for most of the race.

More to come after all the season is not over with yet.