About.com NASCAR Racing

Has Jimmie Johnson Locked It Up?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:50:05 +0000

As the Sprint Cup Series rolls in to Texas Motor Speedway for the 2009 Dickies 500 I have to ask. �Has Jimmie essentially locked it up with three races remaining?

His lead is 184 points and the most Mark Martin could gain in one race is 161. �So Jimmie has one full race lead over Martin with just three to go. � Add to that the fact that Johnson has been stellar at Texas and Phoenix over the last few years and it is very difficult to imagine anyone but Johnson winning the 2009 Chase for the Cup.

I'm ready to call it. � Congratulations to Jimmie Johnson for his unprecedented fourth consecutive Sprint Cup Championship.

Has Jimmie Johnson Locked It Up? originally appeared on About.com NASCAR Racing on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 08:50:05.

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Dodge Unveils Challenger As Nationwide's New 2010 Car

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:31:13 +0000

The manufacturers have been quietly shuffling around in preparation for the 2010 NASCAR season. �This week Dodge revealed that they will be using the Challenger in the Nationwide series next year as their "new" car. �The current Dodge Charger will be used for 31 of the 35 races next year but the four designated "new" car races will see the debut of the Dodge Challenger.

Since Richard Petty Motorsports is merging with Robert Yates Racing and switching to Fords, Dodge was left with a gap in their stable. Roger Penske will be gaining from that gap as the flagship NASCAR team for Dodge. �This includes full factory support for his three 2010 Sprint Cup teams and a two-car Nationwide series effort.

Lots to ponder here as the King moves to Ford and the Nationwide series will start rolling out a new car in 2010. � NASCAR continues to change.

Dodge Unveils Challenger As Nationwide's New 2010 Car originally appeared on About.com NASCAR Racing on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 01:31:13.

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Jamie McMurray Claims Ugly Talladega Finish

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:17:50 +0000

Jamie McMurray did a nice job of staying out of trouble and drove a fast car to Victory Lane during the 2009 AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. � �However the mess that NASCAR created behind him was just ugly. �There is no other word for it that I can use on this site.

NASCAR has not been able to fix the restrictor place problem for the last 20 years. � �This racing was terrible and clearly someone is going to get hurt. �There seems to be no fix for the problem. �Maybe it is time for drastic measures. �How about building a nice 3/4 mile high banked oval and declaring that Talladega Superspeedway?

Jamie McMurray Claims Ugly Talladega Finish originally appeared on About.com NASCAR Racing on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 00:17:50.

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Chase Leaders Struggled At Talladega In April

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:18:39 +0000

This Sunday the 2009 AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway could throw a wrench in Hendrick Motorsports' plans. �Hendrick drivers currently hold the top three spots in the Chase for the Cup standings but Talladega was not kind to them when the Sprint Cup series visited here in April.

Jimmie Johnson was tops among the three Chase leaders with a miserable 30th place effort after being caught up in a crash. �Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon fared even worse as they both also crashed at Talladega in April. �Mark Martin was credited with 43rd position while Jeff Gordon limped his damaged car home in 37th.

This is why Talladega is considered the "wild card" race in the Chase. �Finishes like these can have a huge impact on the points. �Will Halloween spirits haunt the Chase leaders in Talladega or did they use up all of their bad luck in April?

Chase Leaders Struggled At Talladega In April originally appeared on About.com NASCAR Racing on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 00:18:39.

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Looking Back At Talladega

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:46:14 +0000

This weekend the Chase will find its way to Talladega Superspeedway. �Before we spend time looking ahead to what is sure to be another thrilling Talladega finish let's look back at some recent Talladega events.

We only have to go back to April of this year to find a memorable Talladega event. �That race saw two "Big Ones" and Carl Edwards crashing into the fence from the lead as they came to the checkered flag.
In 2008 tire problems dominated the headlines and caused a number of hard hits.
Or 2006 when Brian Vickers turned Jimmie Johnson who collected Dale Jr. leaving Vickers free to claim the win.
Don't forget the 2004 event where "fans" threw garbage on the track because Junior didn't win.

Those are just a few of the recent Talladega memories. � Some love this place while others hate it but everyone has to agree that Talladega finishes are rarely boring.

Looking Back At Talladega originally appeared on About.com NASCAR Racing on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 01:46:14.

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Short Track Tempers Flare As Hamlin Wins in Martinsville

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:16:39 +0000

Denny Hamlin had the best car when it counted during the 2009 Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Point leader �Jimmie Johnson was hot on his heels for a green-white-checkers restart but had to settle for second. �Johnson extended his point lead over Mark Martin with just four races remaining in the 2009 Chase

Tempers flared during the race as A.J. Allmendinger and Joey Logano dueled. �Later in the race Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards also battled. �Despite the obviously intentional contact between these drivers NASCAR kept the penalties in their pockets and let them race.

I like that NASCAR chose to let the drivers do battle. In the past NASCAR �went way too far in gutting the sport of any genuine emotion. �Has anyone seen Kurt Busch since NASCAR penalized, and apparently replaced him with a robot, back �in 2003?

Hey Kurt! I think it's safe to come out now.

Short Track Tempers Flare As Hamlin Wins in Martinsville originally appeared on About.com NASCAR Racing on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 20:16:39.

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The Chase's Only Short Track Battle

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:52:27 +0000

This weekend the NASCAR Sprint Cup series visits NASCAR's oldest and shortest speedway. �Martinsville Speedway will host the 2009 Tums Fast Relief 500 on Sunday.

If you are looking for a winner this weekend the favorite has never been easier to identify. Jimmie Johnson has won five of the last six Martinsville races and three of the last five 2009 Sprint Cup events. �He currently leads the points and is on top of the NASCAR world.

You may not like him but for whatever reason Jimmie Johnson and his team have NASCAR figured out better than any of his competitors at the moment.

The Chase's Only Short Track Battle originally appeared on About.com NASCAR Racing on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 09:52:27.

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Will Dale Earnhardt Jr. Ever Win the Cup?

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:57:07 +0000

I just caught this piece over at the Sporting News. �Dale Earnhardt Sr's car owner, Richard Childress, said recently that despite Junior's terrible performance in 2009 he is confident that Dale Earnhardt Junior will win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship someday.

I am somewhat less convinced. �Honestly I do believe that Junior is a better driver than he has shown this year. �However, after a hot start to his Cup series career that saw him win two races in his 2000 rookie campaign and then finish as high as third in points (2003) he really hasn't shown much potential lately.

I believe Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a solid middle of the pack NASCAR driver. �In his 350+ starts in NASCAR's top series he has not yet shown the consistency necessary to contend for the Cup.

Will Dale Earnhardt Jr. Ever Win the Cup? originally appeared on About.com NASCAR Racing on Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 at 00:57:07.

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Jimmie Johnson Extends Lead With Third Chase Race of 2009

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:49:02 +0000

Jimmie Johnson continues to make history. �Tonight at Lowes Motor Speedway Jimmie Johnson became the first driver to win three of the first five Chase races. �Johnson took a big step tonight towards his fourth consecutive title as two of his top competitors tangled during the race and finished back in the pack.

Mark Martin and Juan Montoya got together during the race relegating both drivers to also-ran status. � This was the closest points battle in Chase history. �Now Johnson has some breathing room over Mark Martin in the point standings as we reached the halfway point in the 2009 Chase for the Cup.

Jimmie Johnson Extends Lead With Third Chase Race of 2009 originally appeared on About.com NASCAR Racing on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 00:49:02.

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Chase Racing Under The Lights

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:19:34 +0000

This Saturday night Lowes Motor Speedway hosts the only Saturday night prime time Chase race. � Jimmie Johnson comes into the 2009 NASCAR Banking 500 as the Chase leader for the first time this season. � Is he on his way to an unprecedented fourth consecutive Championship?

Chase Racing Under The Lights originally appeared on About.com NASCAR Racing on Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at 10:19:34.

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