Happy Tuesday. Quote of the Year There's an unwritten rule in NASCAR: Thou shalt not take on Dale Earnhardt Jr. --Terry Blount/espn Countdown to Daytona 82 Comments from the Peanut Gallery From Darrel NASCAR should get out of the automobile design business and let the owners run what the major manufactures sell to the public. What happen to the "Stock Car" in NASCAR? Dom I agree with you, but just think what the car would be like after it had been modified to be as safe as the present NASCAR design. I would like to see a car that is closer to being as stable as the one that was replaced. I do agree that they should look more like the street car that they are representing. Darrel From My Mom I totally agree with FM. Each car in the NASCAR racing are nothing but CLONES. Let's get some diversity in the cars, with certain limitations of course. From Chip Dear NASCAR Momma: Does anyone out there have any stats on how many times the Hendrick cars have been held for further inspection after the races. I read in today's newsletter that Johnson and Martins cars were both taken again. Hasn't this happened just way too many times? Yes they took Hamlin's car too but why skip Kyle Busch? Why so many Chevrolets when the bodies differ only in decals of manufacturing sponsors? It is just curiosity getting the best of me. Martin did not lead a lap all day yet his car gets tagged once again.
Will the Stewart - Montoya thing carry over to next year? We have not heard much from either driver on that issue. It appears to me that JPM is a bit of a hot-head. He got passed by Stewart and because Tony slid up in front of him JPM and for that he was rewarded with a slam in the rear. Tony must take credit for retaliation which cut JPM's tire down and ruined his day but who among us did not think that after JPM returned to the track that Tony was going to get hit for his payback thus ruining his day also. The final point standings dropped both drivers but to not see this coming was another one of the missed opportunities for NASCAR. Different rules for the latter part of the season seem to let things like this happen in both series as Hamlin told the media that payback was coming and then delivered on his promise. All well and fine as no one was injured just a few egos with dents in them I guess. We need something to ponder as we await Daytona. Keep up the countdown. Chip Bits and Pieces Johnson to light up the Emprise State Building: On Tuesday, Nov. 24th, #48-Jimmie Johnson, 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion is scheduled to flip the switch to light the Empire State Building's world-famous tower lights blue, white and yellow to celebrate "Jimmie Johnson Day" in New York City. New York Yankee outfielder Johnny Damon will introduce Johnson at the lighting ceremony, which is scheduled to start around 2:30pm/et. The Empire State Building is located at 350 Fifth Avenue, between 33rd and 34th Streets in New York City. Overnight Homestead TV ratings posted: ABC's broadcast of Sunday's FORD 400 Sprint Cup race at Homestead-Miami Speedway earned a 3.2 overnight rating with a 6 share. That is down from last season Nov. 16th race at Homestead, a 3.7 ratings with a 7 share. The final rating in 2008 for Homestead was a 4.0 rating and a 7 share. Evernham looking to be involved with race team again: Former car owner and crew chief, Ray Evernham, said prior to Sunday's season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway that he hopes to get a series of legal issues resolved in the coming weeks that may pave the way for a return in some capacity with a race team. "Unfortunately for me, there are a lot of legal things going on right now. And there will be more legal things to come," said Evernham, who remains a minority stockholder in what is now known as Richard Petty Motorsports and also serves as a color analyst on ESPN television race broadcasts. "I'm not 100 percent sure [what I'll be doing next year]. Right now I have a contract on the table from ESPN -- and I love working for ESPN. I have a blast with what I do there. We'll have to see. I'm not going to say that I'll never be back over here. I just don't know in what capacity."
Evernham has made no secret of his desire to rid himself of his minority stake in RPM, which previously was known as Gillett Evernham Motorsports -- and before that was simply Evernham Motorsports, in which he was founder and majority owner. "I've got some meetings next week. There is a lot going on where we've got to get some clear communication on -- things that are going on and where I fit in all that," Evernham said. "I own a percentage of everything as a stockholder. I am a stockholder in that business today." He also has a non-compete deal with Gillett-Evernham that he would like clarified -- if not severed altogether. That could clear the way for him to return to the garage in some capacity with another race team beginning as early as next season. Evernham added that he has not spoken with majority owner George Gillett on any consulting issues since last May.(NASCAR.com) BAM announces featured artist for Daytona 500; crew chief returns: Warner Music Nashville (WMN) and BAM Racing (BAM) announced that Larry the Cable Guy will be the featured artist on the #49 BAM Toyota for the 2010 Daytona 500. BAM Racing owner, Beth Ann Morgenthau said, "We're thrilled to be able to have this dual unveiling before the end of the year to give fans a hint of what's in store form Warner Music Nashville and BAM Racing for 2010. The new fan program has already generated a lot of interest, and I'm also delighted to be able to introduce the first artist so soon. It's exciting to think that this is just the first of many entertainers who will be featured on our racecars throughout the year." In response to what seems to be the most pressing question, Beth Ann Morgenthau released the following statement concerning the driver of the BAM Racing #49: "We are currently talking to a number of drivers who aren't under contract for 2010. At this point we haven't eliminated from consideration any driver who is a free agent."
In addition, both WMN Vice President of Marketing, Kelli Cashiola and Morgenthau discussed details of the partnership's new VIP Fan Experience. The VIP Fan Experience is a fan-centered project that allows enhanced access to the NASCAR Sprint Cup race team and WMN recording artists. Fans can immediately sign up in the VIP program at www.VIPFanExperience.com. Larry the Cable Guy, in a prepared statement, used the following analogy to describe the level of access for the VIP Fan Experience, "If you were anymore 'inside' you'd be a roadie and ridin' shotgun at 190mph!" Included in the press conference was SPEED TV's Bob Dillner's announcement of BAM Racing's new 30-minute, weekly internet radio show "BAM Spirit . . . the BAM Racing Story" available at www.RaceTalkRadio.com.(BAM PR) AND - Crew Chief: Morgenthau said David Hyder would be returning to the team as crew chief; Hyder has been working with the Woods and Bill Elliott this season. The driver has yet to be announced. The engines will likely be provided either by Joey Arrington or Toyota's High Point race engine department. Morgenthau said the team would run the full 36-race tour.(MikeMulhern.net) Two teams, two tracks file claims with former General Motors By Bob Pockrass/scenedaily.com Two race teams and two race tracks have filed claims with the former General Motors, which was restructured through bankruptcy proceedings this summer. The deadline for filing claims is Nov. 30, and according to an online claims register for the company (now known as Motorsports Liquidation Co.), 27,141 claims have been filed as of Nov. 16. Among those: • Dale Earnhardt Inc. is asking for $3,252,706.89 based on a contract it had with General Motors. What the contract was for was not specified. • Daytona International Speedway is asking for $651,018.75 for a hospitality contract. • JR Motorsports is asking for $198,000 for a sponsorship contract. • Auto Club Speedway is asking for $45,500 for a hospitality contract. No decisions on whether the race teams or tracks will get the money they believe they are owed have been made. Fans vote Brad Keselowski the Nationwide Series' most popular driver By Lee Montgomery/scenedaily.com MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Brad Keselowski hasn't been the most popular driver among NASCAR Nationwide Series competitors recently, but Monday night he was awarded the series' Most Popular Driver trophy as voted by fans. After accepting the award, Keselowski acknowledged some of his controversial run-ins with other drivers, notably Denny Hamlin. "I know I haven't always done the best job of making friends on the race track – just throwing that out there," Keselowski said. "But I'd like to think I've got some friends off the race track and in the garage. I appreciate all their support." Keselowski also thanked some others, including NASCAR President Mike Helton, "who I got to meet a couple weeks ago." Keselowski was called to the NASCAR hauler for a chat during the series' penultimate weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. Keselowski, who drove for JR Motorsports this year but is moving to Penske Racing for 2010, also won the popularity award last year. "It's an honor just to compete in this series," Keselowski said. "One of the biggest things I've learned over the last few years is how awesome our fans are. There's no sport on this planet that can rival NASCAR racing and its fan base. It's amazing to have those fans. To get their vote as most popular driver is truly an honor." Nationwide Series season awards Manufacturer: Toyota
Featherlite Most Improved Driver (from start to finish of races): Mike Bliss
Mobile 1 Command Performance Award (best finishes among teams that use sticker): Jason Leffler
Coors Light Pole Award (most poles): Carl Edwards
Mahle Clevite Engine Builder of the Race: Mark Cronquist, Joe Gibbs Racing
Wix Filters Lap Leader Award (most laps led, non-top-35 Cup driver, Wix sticker): Mike Bliss
Sunoco Diamond Performance Award (most wins): Kyle Busch
Nationwide Dash 4 Cash Award (most points in four selected races): Brad Keselowski Little Help Over Here, Please By Jim Pedley | Managing Editor
RacinToday.com Five things I don't understand about what happened over the past 10 months in NASCAR: First. How in the world can Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus continue run bare foot through thousands of miles of mine fields and come out the other side with every hair still in place? The fast cars, the great decisions, the flawless driving – I can understand all of that. That all comes from talent and preparation and natural abilities. Fine. What I cannot understand is the ability to continually dodge misfortune in a sport in which misfortune is just inches away and traveling at 200 mph. And do not give me that old cliché that luck is the product of preparation. You cannot prepare for David Stremme unexplainably turning left – in the middle of a straightaway. Second. How on earth can Jack Roush-owned race cars win the first two events in 2009 and then not again until Jamie McMurray grabs an odd victory during the Chase? The team has five cars, for gosh sakes. In three of those cars sit three of the best drivers to ever slide though a Cup-car window. This team was so good a couple years ago that NASCAR decided it had to enact a rule that said, sorry, four cars per operation and four cars only. Jack Roush has not suddenly gotten dumb. He has not, to my knowledge, posted any memos on his Concord campus telling all Roush Fenway workers to not work as hard and to do lousy jobs. Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle a combined 0 for 72? How? Why? I'm asking. Third. Why are very smart people chasing Danica Patrick's driving services around the country as though she possessed something which would turn their teams into superpowers. OK, I get the money and sponsorship thing. These tough times are forcing a lot of right-thinking people to make goofy decisions. And Danica is likely to bring attention and, hence, dough. But wouldn't you think established team owners in NASCAR would also insist that somebody they hire have a resume of some kind. One which says champion on it somewhere or at least multi-time race winner? I mean, why not just go out and hire Angelina Jolie to drive for you and worry about teaching her what a clutch is later? Fourth. What has happened to Little E? This is where the folks who hate Dale Earnhardt Jr. say he is a lousy driver, that he was always overrated and that they are not surprised he wins about as often as politicians do what's best for the country. Junior can drive a race car. He may not be as good or as intense as his father was, but he can drive a race car. He has two Busch championships and has won 18 Winston/Sprint Cup races. In 2004, he won six races which was second most in the series to, yep, Jimmie Johnson. Sorry, you just do not do those things unless you have driving talent. And now, he is in the best equipment in racing and has trouble finding the finish line, let alone Victory Lane? Fifth. Why do such lousy things keep happening in Rick Hendrick's personal life? He's been punched out by cancer, he's had 10 of his family members – including his son and brother – and friends die in the most horrible way you can imagine. His drivers have been killed and severely injured. His niece is apparently near death with a liver problem. From virtually all accounts – and from personal interaction – I can tell you this is one decent, caring human being. Yet he keeps getting pummeled by personal tragedies. And no, success in business cannot offset that. NASCAR seeks to keep Brian France-Megan France documents out of Jeremy Mayfield case By Bob Pockrass/scenedaily.com MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR is attempting to keep information from a lawsuit Brian France filed against his ex-wife from getting into the hands of suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield and his legal team. NASCAR filed motions Monday in U.S. District Court asking that Megan France be prohibited from producing documents from Brian France's lawsuit against her. Brian and Megan France were separated in fall 2007 and divorced in Florida on April 29, 2008, according to NASCAR's brief filed Tuesday. Brian France later sued Megan in North Carolina Superior Court in September 2008, and those pleadings were sealed in December 2008. The Charlotte Observer has recently asked the court to open those documents. Mayfield's attorneys issued a subpoena to Megan France last Friday requesting those documents as well as any joint tax returns for 2007 and 2008 and any mail addressed to Brian France in North Carolina. The reason stated for the request has to do with whether the federal court has jurisdiction or whether it should return the case to state court, according to NASCAR's motion. NASCAR suspended Mayfield on May 9 for a random drug test it says was positive for methamphetamines. Mayfield claims his test results came from his taking the prescription drug Adderall and over-the-counter allergy medication Claritin-D. "They are attempting to improperly bring private, irrelevant information concerning Mr. France's domestic relations into this litigation as a means of retaliation," NASCAR wrote in its brief. Megan France is being represented in the domestic dispute by the law firm of James, McElroy & Diehl – the law firm that represented Mayfield until last month, when Mayfield switched to noted celebrity attorney Mark Geragos. NASCAR also is asking the court to intervene and order that the deposition of Megan France be done after Dec. 14. Geragos' subpoena sets the date for her deposition for Dec. 4, the day of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Banquet. "[Mayfield is] insisting on holding the deposition of Megan France on a day when neither NASCAR's corporate representatives nor Mr. France can attend," NASCAR wrote in one of its briefs. Jeremy Mayfield injunction dropped at suspended driver's request By Bob Pockrass/scenedaily.com The U.S. District Court judge who initially granted an injunction that lifted driver Jeremy Mayfield's suspension for what NASCAR says was a May 1 drug test that was positive for methamphetamines has rescinded the injunction at Mayfield's request. U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen vacated the injunction in a three-sentence ruling Monday. Mayfield never did get back on the track after obtaining the July 1 injunction that lifted his May 9 suspension. The U.S. Court of Appeals granted NASCAR's request for a stay of the injunction July 24, and Mayfield has been suspended since then and has sold his team. Mayfield then requested that the injunction be permanently dropped so the case can move quickly. The earliest a trial would be is September 2010, and the only consequence for not having the injunction is that Mayfield would not be able to race in NASCAR until a decision is made at trial. Last week, NASCAR filed a motion it hopes will end Mayfield's lawsuit by asking Mullen to rule on the filings instead of there being more investigation into the issues. Mayfield has yet to file a response to that motion, but his attorney has called that motion a desperate move. Mayfield, who qualified for five of the first 11 Sprint Cup races this season after starting his own team and who has 433 career series starts, is the only Sprint Cup driver who has failed a random drug test this year. He claims his test results came from his taking the prescription drug Adderall and over-the-counter allergy medication Claritin-D. Jeremy Mayfield attorney calls NASCAR's latest attempt to dismiss case a desperate move By Bob Pockrass/scenedaily.com HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Jeremy Mayfield's attorney is calling NASCAR's latest moves in the case involving the suspended Sprint Cup Series driver a "desperate attempt by desperate people." Mark Geragos, the prominent attorney who has represented several celebrities, said NASCAR is trying to delay the case by also asking that the discovery phase conducted by attorneys prior to trial be halted until its latest motion can be heard. That motion filed Tuesday asks U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen to rule in its favor based on the pleadings that already have been filed. "They've thrown up this imbecilic attempt to dismiss the case," Geragos said in a phone interview Thursday. "We're confident once we're in the courtroom, the truth will be told." Mayfield, who was suspended May 9 for a May 1 test that NASCAR says was positive for methamphetamines, has sued NASCAR for breach of contract, discrimination and defamation in an attempt to get back on the track and for financial damages. Mayfield has denied using methamphetamines and contends the drug-test findings that prompted his suspension resulted from a combination of prescription drug Adderall, which is used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and over-the-counter Claritin-D allergy medicine. He also contends that NASCAR must follow guidelines that regulate federal agencies. NASCAR denies that Aegis Sciences Corp., which conducts the NASCAR drug-testing program, must follow those regulations. A trial – if there are no delays – is scheduled for September 2010. NASCAR's latest motions include one by Aegis asking for an extension in time for discovery. Geragos said these recent motions could be in response to his request for more documents on the way NASCAR Chairman Brian France conducts his life and his driving record – similar to some of the requests NASCAR has made of Mayfield. "This is shocking to me because they have done nothing but rummage around in Jeremy's life," Geragos said. "We have got nothing to hide. And as soon as we start asking for discovery from them, they want to stay discovery. They want to stop the process … because they know they're in trouble." NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said that NASCAR has not received document requests or interrogatories from Geragos, and disputed Geragos' characterization of NASCAR's motive behind its recent motions. In its motion Tuesday, NASCAR contends: • The driver agreement with NASCAR waives all claims arising from the implementation of NASCAR's substance-abuse policy. • NASCAR's substance-abuse policy does not include an obligation to follow guidelines that regulate federal agencies. • France and Aegis' Dr. David Black have no reason to believe the tests are inaccurate, so their statements about Mayfield testing positive were done without malice – and with Mayfield a public figure, their statements cannot be considered defamation. • NASCAR did not discriminate against Mayfield because Mayfield is not a NASCAR employee and not a qualified person with a disability under North Carolina law. Mullen won't rule on the motion until after Mayfield has a chance to file a response. He is the same judge who initially granted Mayfield an injunction to have the suspension lifted July 1 although he has since indicated he would reverse his decision based on additional information. Mayfield has indicated he isn't seeking the injunction any longer. "He has been damaged," Geragos said of Mayfield. "Ultimately, now at this point, we know that NASCAR is so desperate they'll never let him back on the track. We've come to grips with that. We want the truth told in a courtroom. We want to expose NASCAR for what it is. Our ultimate goal is to have the truth be told." And what's Geragos' version of the truth? "I'll save that for the courtroom," he said. "We're the ones who have complied with discovery. They're the ones who are doing anything possible to hide and seal and stop and stay. If they've got nothing to hide and if this is all on the up-and-up, what are they afraid of?" Aero package for restrictor-plate races being evaluated By Bob Pockrass/scenedaily.com MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR hasn't ruled out the possibility of making aerodynamic changes to the Sprint Cup cars for Daytona that could require a test at the track prior to Speedweeks in February, NASCAR President Mike Helton said Monday. Helton talked about changes to the Cup car during a luncheon prior to the NNS/NCWTS Awards Banquet tonight. With NASCAR Chairman Brian France talking Friday about changes to the car possibly happening during the offseason, Helton expanded on what changes have been made and what the future holds. One piece of the Cup car that could get changed is the aero package for Daytona and Talladega. Cars went airborne in each of the Talladega races this year. NASCAR has wind-tunnel tests scheduled in a couple of weeks for the Cup car focused on restrictor-plate tracks. "[We're] specifically looking at the chemistry of the roof flaps because we have the ability through the camera angles and data collection to learn more about the incidents [at Talladega], particularly the 39 [of Ryan Newman] at Talladega this past October. We can learn more," Helton said. "We will do things over the offseason and if it is a major change for Daytona, we may have to do something [test] there to take a look at it. We'll have to wait and see what we find out from the wind tunnel and a complete evaluation." As far as any rule changes for the car for races not at Daytona and Talladega, Helton said only to anticipate subtle changes. "I don't see anything glaring that has to be fixed, and there is not an overwhelming consensus of anything major [to change]," Helton said. "I still won't sit here and tell you there won't be something. … We always put out a rule book and then we put out a lot of [technical] bulletins along the way. "Several years ago we made a commitment to the team owners not to make major changes without a lot of advance warning. We're at the end of the season. We're not that far from the opening of the next season so advance warning, I think, is something that would have to be factored in and we're in that period." The car at times has been blamed for being difficult to adjust and also for too much single-file racing. The rear wing, which replaced a splitter, also has been a topic of conversation. The new Nationwide Series car, which will be introduced for four races in 2010 before a full rollout in 2011, has a spoiler instead of a wing. It also has more manufacturer identity features in the front, which also will help with front downforce. "I couldn't sit here and tell you today that the wing is there forever on the Cup side," Helton said. "I couldn't tell you that the [front] splitter as we know it on the Cup car will exist forever. I can tell you we are going to learn a lot with the Nationwide car that has a different configuration to it aerodynamically and we'll learn from that and we'll see what happens." Helton said since the first introduction of the Cup car in 2007 there have been at least 25 subtle changes in the rules. The splitter can be moved asymmetrically, weight can be repositioned differently in the car, and there are spring changes and a smaller flywheel in the motors. Those changes have allowed drivers to adapt to the new car. "Car owners are very quick to tell us that they don't want any major changes right now that will cost them a lot of money in engineering or redevelopment," Helton said. "We continue to look at the subtle elements that we can continue to work with crew chiefs and drivers to give them adjustability. The manufacturers themselves have changes coming in the styling of the nose of the car that we will have to address, which is nothing new." One thing NASCAR won't consider is changes that just make it easier to drive. "Race cars aren't supposed to be easy to drive, no more than riding a bull for eight seconds or throwing a 40-yard touchdown pass or hitting 15 home runs," Helton said. "Those things aren't easy. If they were easy, they wouldn't be valuable to fans. It wouldn't be hero material." Burton: Hamlin Was Justified By Reid Spencer, Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service HOMESTEAD, Fla.— To Jeff Burton, there are times when it's OK to dump a fellow driver. Burton finished third in Saturday's Ford 300 Nationwide race behind series champion Kyle Busch and runner-up Carl Edwards, but the most noteworthy action took place on Lap 34, when Denny Hamlin spun Brad Keselowski as the cars exited Turn 4. After the two drivers had traded shots a week earlier at Phoenix—with Hamlin spinning out of control—Hamlin promised to retaliate at Homestead and did so. After the race, he admitted the contact was intentional. Because of the history between the drivers, Burton felt Hamlin's unilateral "police action" was justified. "I thought Denny did the right thing," Burton said. "When you constantly get spun out by the same car, there comes a time where you've got to put your foot down and not take it. The next time Keselowski thinks about spinning him out, he'll think about it. "I want to be clear. I like Brad, too. I don't mean to say either one of them is a bad guy or whatever. Sometimes stuff happens. I think Brad Keselowski does a really good job, and I think he's going to be real successful in the Cup Series, too. Sometimes you've just got to take control and make it stop." Putting JJ's dominance in perspective Ed Hinton/espn.com An old history professor friend of mine liked to say of some major current event, "I'm anxious for 25 or 30 years to pass so we can view this in historical perspective." That's how long it might take for Jimmie Johnson's unprecedented four-peat of the NASCAR championship to be appreciated in full. Oh, the fans in the stands at Homestead-Miami Speedway cheered him politely, the only decent thing to do, after he won the title with a fifth-place finish in Sunday's season-ending Ford 400. But now the resentment among many if not most NASCAR fans will set in, and it might last until Johnson, now 34, is eligible for Medicare. It is a fandom deaf in the short haul to what Johnson's crew chief, Chad Knaus, said so accurately about him to ESPN TV reporters: "That guy can do things with a race car that I've never seen done before." This is a realm that frowns on dominance and takes decades to forgive excellence. The leading indicator is that it took 30 years after Cale Yarborough's three-peat for NASCAR to take him on a sort of tour of honor, culminating at its New York awards ceremonies in December 2008 -- and even then only in conjunction with Johnson's becoming the second driver to three-peat. They didn't have elaborate New York banquets when Yarborough rampaged through NASCAR in 1976-77-78. And they didn't appreciate what he was doing, either. A prime example: Down the stretch to his third title, in October '78 at Rockingham, N.C., Yarborough was leading by two laps by midrace, on his way to his 10th win of the season. Retiring to the rear of the press box in search of coffee to stay awake, I encountered Herman Hickman, the Rock's longtime chief publicist, an ever-genial gentleman who never had so much as a bad word for anybody. Well, almost never. He was pacing the floor near the coffee urn. He was muttering. "What's the matter, Herman?" I asked. "Cale's an a------," he grumbled. "He's f---ing up my race." I knew a guy in Atlanta who made and sold T-shirts reading "ABC -- Anybody But Cale." That's what they thought of Yarborough's accomplishment while it was happening. And now comes the realization that Johnson, too, might be white-haired before he is appreciated. For analysis, I phoned a younger history professor friend who studies NASCAR. Dr. Wanda Ellen Wakefield is a professor of history and popular culture at the State University of New York's Brockport campus. She has had her finger on the pulse of NASCAR and its fans since she became fascinated with the Dale Earnhardt phenomenon in the 1990s. In refusing to embrace Johnson's four-peat, "I think the NASCAR fans are probably responding to what has essentially been very boring racing the last two years," Wakefield said. "And Jimmie Johnson is a perfectly nice guy apparently, but he's kind of bland. "So it's been boring racing, and Jimmie Johnson is cursed with consistency and blandness." To that, add the classic watershed line among fans of all sports. "In the United States, sports fans are divided into two strands," Wakefield said. "One is the strand that embraces excellence. The other is represented by the people who really like the underdog and really have trouble with overdogs. "That's what's happening here." Overdog -- I can't think of a better term for how you the majority of fans view Johnson. And I think in NASCAR, more of you have issues with overdogs than in any other sport. Now this is Wakefield wearing her pop culture hat, understanding the current event and your attitudes toward it. In her historian's hat, she is true to her discipline. "In general, you don't know how remarkable achievement is in terms of sport until you have a look back at it." That is, from decades hence -- when the whole picture is complete. "What we're assuming here is that it's four and done" for Johnson, Wakefield said. "What about 'one for the thumb'?" What about all the way to a six-peat? "From the perspective of a historian, definitely 30 years from now you can assess his achievement by factors such as, did he continue to do well? And did someone else in that 30 years approach his achievement?" Each season Johnson repeats as champion will exponentially increase the pressure on him, and therefore the value of the achievement, Wakefield believes. "Let's pretend next year we're having this conversation -- which is entirely possible. There's no reason to assume he won't have all of the factors on his side that he has this year. "So one of the things we look at from the historical perspective is, 'This is a magnificent achievement; what happens next?' Let's pretend … next year he finishes first. "Then you've got the sort of burden of, will he win the next year? Which puts more pressure on. Which indeed makes the achievement more remarkable." Whether it's four and done, or six or seven and done, the next key factor is whether anybody else puts together a similar streak in the course of the next 30 years. "When Cale Yarborough won three, nobody knew it was going to be so long for the next three-peat," Wakefield pointed out from the historical perspective of 30 years. So, "until we know whether anyone else ever approaches [Johnson's] achievement, we don't know what the achievement really means." For example, "Let's pretend Jimmie does his four, and next year Joey Logano, to pick a name out of the air, wins. And Logano wins the next four. Well, then, Johnson's achievement is remarkable, but it's not remarkable out of the context of the way NASCAR's championships are evolving. That's where you just don't know. "But if indeed, 30 years from now Johnson's four-peat has not been repeated, then there you go." For analogy in another sport, "Let's take for example Roger Maris, who of course was not embraced at the time of his 61 home runs [in 1961]. He was harassed, as a matter of fact. At the time, I imagine people assumed, 'OK, Roger Maris got the 61 home runs, but that's not such a remarkable achievement … somebody else will get that 61 or 62 very easily and very quickly.' "And it didn't happen. And so as time went on, it became more and more remarkable the 61 home runs were." And Wakefield argues that, for all the skepticism over Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds, all of whom have since broken Maris' record that stood for 37 years, history also will treat their achievements more kindly than contemporary culture does. Thinking analytically, Wakefield has to allow for the possibility of someone else matching Johnson's achievement. But as a longtime NASCAR writer whose job always includes some conjecture, I would rate the chances of someone else getting the right combination of Johnson's consistency and talent, plus a clockwork crew chief like Knaus, plus the enormous resources of a Hendrick Motorsports, as very slim indeed. Regardless, Jimmie Johnson's place, present and future, in NASCAR history, all comes back to the axiom of that old driver/philosopher Jeff Burton. "You never get your just due in the era that you're in," Burton said recently of Johnson. "The people you're competing against don't want to give it to you." Maybe NASCAR fans' bent against overdogs actually stems from the attitudes in the garages, where competitors want no part of yielding milestones to others. A decade after Yarborough's three-peat, he had moved on to another team, and in 1987 almost prevented Bill Elliott from winning the Winston Million bonus at Darlington, S.C. I remember very well that after that race, Yarborough's crew chief, Waddell Wilson, stood in the pits stunned with anger and outrage, randomly swinging a towel around his head with furious energy. I asked Wilson whether it weren't a bit of consolation that his and Yarborough's loss led to a milestone achievement in NASCAR. "Why, hell, no!" Wilson growled, and went on swinging the towel around his head in disgust. All he had wanted was to prevent Elliott's milestone. Now, not all NASCAR fans feel the way the now-notorious dancing fans at the fence near the scene of Johnson's wreck at Texas felt. Homestead-Miami Speedway president Curtis Gray, although acknowledging that Johnson's runaway hadn't exactly helped ticket sales for the Ford 400 season finale, did point out to me that a significant number of ticket buyers said they were doing so "to be part of the celebration of Jimmie's accomplishment." But NASCAR fans, by and large, rejoice in seeing big winners fall. And they resent good fortune -- especially Johnson's seemingly charmed existence during this run. "Not only has he been consistently good but he's been consistently lucky," Wakefield said. "To have gone four years and have a [streak] like this is both a reflection of his skills and a reflection of his basic luck. "And I think that kind of worries people sometimes, too." Assuming all is well with NASCAR in 2039 or 2040 -- and that's not a 100 percent safe assumption, considering the likely demise of fossil-fuel vehicles and the current malaise of the NASCAR fan base -- all that will stand out in minds of the time are the numbers. The luck, the Hendrick financing, the brilliance of Knaus may well fade in the public mind, so that Johnson's four-peat -- or five-peat, or six-peat -- stands uncluttered. So maybe they'll parade the graying old driver out onto some stage somewhere, maybe still Las Vegas, and they will speak in awe of what he did. Maybe they will recognize that not even the seven-time champions, Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, were ever able to put four years of uninterrupted dominance together. Maybe they will acknowledge that neither Petty nor Earnhardt ever faced the intensity and breadth of competition Johnson did. Maybe they will take a full look at all of NASCAR history and see that, through all of it, there is only one open-ended question as to who else might have four-peated or beyond. In 1962 and '63, Joe Weatherly and car owner/crew chief Bud Moore had won two straight championships and showed no letup at rolling up titles, until Weatherly was killed at Riverside, Calif., in January of the '64 season. That's the only one we will never know. Maybe the graying fans of JJ's era of triumph -- I think I know you pretty well -- will say in 30 years that you were one of the few who recognized the greatness, the history, in the making. Maybe you'll say you saw it all along, that you were unique, not among the boo-birds, the grumblers, the detractors, the dancers at the scenes of his wrecks. Hindsight works that way sometimes. Joe Gibbs Racing's Kyle Busch offers humorous insight into 2009 Nationwide championship By Lee Montgomery/scenedaily.com MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Kyle Busch has had his share of controversial moments in his career – and even during his 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship season.
But Monday night at the joint banquet celebrating the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck series top finishers at the Loews Miami Beach, Busch was able to poke fun at himself. Others joked about Busch and his penchant for controversy, too.
One such moment came after a race at Bristol Motor Speedway earlier this year, when Busch parked his car on pit road and quickly sprinted to the infield tunnel, angry over a sixth-place finish after dominating the race.
"I guess y'all didn't know about the valet stand that NASCAR set up for to help me with an easy escape to the tunnel," Busch said. Though Busch had a phenomenal season with nine victories and a series-record 5,682 points and 2,698 laps led, it wasn't perfect. His 11 runner-up finishes was also a series record, though it was one Busch would rather not have.
Many of those second-place finishes came the fiercely-competitive Busch had led the most laps. As a result, Busch often simply didn't want to talk to anyone.
"[ESPN's] Mike Massaro, was it he that chased me through the garage?" Busch asked. "Wait, Dave Burns. Maybe it was Vince Welch, Jamie Little. Heck, I made more moves through the garage area than Adrian Peterson this year."
Four of those second-place finishes came to JGR teammate Joey Logano, who drove the No. 20 Toyota with Dave Rogers as crew chief. Rogers was named Busch's Sprint Cup crew chief late in the year.
"You know, there was a time this year where I finished second – I guess 11 of them," Busch said. "I finished second to Joey Logano at Nashville, Kentucky, Chicago, Kansas. Oh, I did beat him at Loudon, that's right.
"I mean, seriously, isn't 11 second-place finishes a bit much? What's a guy got to do to beat the new kid on the block? Oh, that's right, take Dave Rogers and put him on his Cup program."
Busch showed he could take as much as he could dish out, though. Championship crew chief Jason Ratcliff made reference to Busch's second-place finishes when he said. "In my book, you're second. No, second to none. Sorry buddy."
Team president J.D. Gibbs also cracked a joke at Busch's expense.
"You do have the most seconds ever, ever, ever," Gibbs said. "Next year, we're going to go for the most thirds."
Even NASCAR President Mike Helton joined in the roasting of the 2009 champion. As he presented Busch with the championship ring, Helton told Busch, "I'm glad this is not a guitar."
In one of the more controversial moments of the season, Busch smashed the Sam Bass-designed trophy that Nashville Superspeedway awards its race winners.
"I'm proud that you're our 2009 Nationwide Series champion," Helton said. "Don't change. You do it your way, and it'll work out fine. We may have to visit from time to time."
Busch, though, acknowledged his less-than-stellar moments.
"Clearly, I'm still a work in progress," Busch said. "… I know a caused a headache … or 10 … for the guys at JGR. But Coach [Joe Gibbs] and J.D., didn't Smoke (Tony Stewart) break you guys in for me?"
The night wasn't all about Busch's off-track incidents. J.D. Gibbs spoke about Busch's maturity throughout the year, citing his driver's consistency and ability to pile up top finish after top finish.
"Kyle, I've enjoyed watching you grow, both on and off the track these past couple years," Gibbs said. "We're getting there, we're getting there. The maturity he showed ... in sometimes taking a car that might not have been a winning car but making the most of it wasn't easy. But it paid off with a championship. That's a great lesson we all learned together."
Busch later called the championship, his first in one of NASCAR's national series, as "easily the biggest accomplishment in my NASCAR career."
"I've heard a lot lately that because this isn't a Cup title, and because I didn't make the Chase, that because this is the Nationwide title, that this is some sort of consolation prize for me," Busch said. "But [former Cup chief] Steve [Addington] is one of the guys who told me that any championship in NACSAR is a big championship." Rivalries a fun sideshow to JJ's 4-peat David Newton/espn.com HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Too bad the 2009 NASCAR season is over. Things were just heating up. In Saturday's Nationwide Series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, we saw Denny Hamlin intentionally wreck Brad Keselowski as promised a week earlier and then claim the sun got in his eyes. In Sunday's Sprint Cup finale, we saw Juan Pablo Montoya and Tony Stewart wreck each other on two different occasions, and heard more 12-letter words that can't be repeated in print than we've heard all season. For the record, the sun was not out. And oh, by the way, Jimmie Johnson finished a ho-hum fifth place Sunday to claim a record fourth straight Cup championship, and Hamlin won for the third time in the final 11 races to establish himself as a contender for next season. Fireworks filled the South Florida sky as both drivers celebrated. But the real fireworks began on Lap 116 of the 267-lap event. That's when Montoya got into the rear of Stewart's car and Stewart retaliated by slamming his No. 14 Chevrolet into the side of the No.42. Montoya, a crowd favorite among the Latin American crowd in his U.S. hometown, screamed over his radio, "They should park him. If they penalized Denny [Saturday], they should suspend the [insert first 12-letter word]." NASCAR penalized Hamlin one lap for fulfilling his promise to take out Keselowski on Saturday. The governing body did nothing to Stewart. But the best was yet to come. Around Lap 150, crew chief Chad Knaus warned Johnson that Stewart was ahead of him and Montoya "unfortunately" was back on the track after garage time for repairs. It was a warning for Johnson to be careful. "I probably would do the same thing if I was leading for the championship," said Montoya's crew chief, Brian Pattie, who also knows Stewart well. "That's not a very good recipe." It got ugly on Lap 155. Without warning to Pattie or anybody else, Montoya spun out Stewart to bring out another caution. He earned a two-lap penalty from NASCAR and a warning that stepping out of line again would earn him a vacation for the rest of the season. It was great stuff on a night when there wasn't a lot of great passing for the lead. Had there been so much excitement all season, maybe we wouldn't have had so many complaints about boring racing and how much the new car is hurting the sport. We may not have had grumbling about Johnson ruining the sport with his domination. We may not have had any moaning about Dale Earnhardt Jr. having a dreadful season and missing yet another Chase. It was so crazy at one point that there was a multicar pileup on pit road that ended the day of Elliott Sadler (in the 19 car), leading Johnson to say "What the hell happened to the 19?" It might have gotten crazier after the race had Montoya and Stewart -- whose haulers were conveniently parked side by side -- not disappeared into the darkness without saying a word. At least it gives us something to look forward to when they are reunited in two weeks at the banquet in Las Vegas. It definitely could make the start of the 2010 season interesting. Well, at least for the fans. Not Pattie, who hopes Montoya can push Johnson for the championship as well. "We don't need that stuff next year," Pattie said, noting that Montoya's 38th-place finish dropped him from sixth to eighth in the final standings and Stewart's 22nd dropped him a spot to sixth. Jeff Burton and Kevin Harvick, who finished second and third to give Richard Childress Racing momentum after failing to put a car in the Chase, also don't think it's good for the sport. "What this sport needs is good racing," Burton said. "It doesn't need running that mouth. Running that mouth is not what it's all about. Good, hard racing is what fans want to see." Interjected Harvick, "And good, hard racing is going to create its own passion." Perhaps. But the fans sure seem to enjoy the extracurricular. They cheered loudly Saturday when Hamlin wrecked Keselowski, and just as loudly Sunday after Montoya wrecked Stewart. "I think everyone has got a little fight in them, especially when they feel they've been wronged," Hamlin said. Before Hamlin could get too deep into what happened Saturday or Sunday, team president J.D. Gibbs leaned over and shushed him. And honestly, Hamlin doesn't want to be a trendsetter in that way. He wants to be the kind of trendsetter Johnson has become, winning races and championships at a record pace. He doesn't want the season to be over, either. Were it not for three DNFs in the Chase -- two for engine failures and one because of a crash -- he might be celebrating the end of Johnson's reign. Outside of the DNFs, Hamlin had five top-5s, including two wins and two seconds. "If we just averaged seventh or eighth in those races then we're out on the front stage celebrating," Hamlin said. "On the other hand, maybe [Johnson] performs better, too. All I know is we seem to be good enough to perform with those guys." Hamlin went so far as to promise that over the next few years he'll win a title. "The end of this Chase has just made us stronger," he said, basking in the moment of a season-high fourth win. "Now everyone is focused and fired up about next year, knowing we're one of the few guys that can run with [Johnson] each and every week." Too bad the 2009 season is over. Things were just starting to heat up. Fourget the arguments -- Johnson now stands alone By Duane Cross, NASCAR.COM
Jimmie Johnson is the only driver in Cup Series history to win four consecutive championships -- point system be damned. The asinine argument that Johnson's four-in-a-row should have an asterisk or is somehow less impressive than Cale Yarborough's threepeat or other drivers' multiple championships is the result of sour grapes. Johnson, crew chief Chad Knaus, team owner Rick Hendrick and each of the HMS team members deserve to be hailed for their accomplishments during this phenomenal run. The bottom line is that every team -- not just the No. 48 -- enters Daytona and races to Richmond in hopes of making the Chase. After that, 12 teams -- including the No. 48 -- enters Loudon and races to Homestead with the hopes of winning the championship. For the past four years, it's been Johnson who has achieved the most during the Chase. In his 40 Chase races during his championship run, Johnson has a series-best Driver Rating of 114.0. Yeah, he's earned it on the track. And to use the "old point system" argument is ignorant. The "old point system" hasn't been in play since the 2003 season. Get with it -- or get out of the conversation. Another ignorant allegation is that Knaus has "cheated" to get ahead. Has he run afoul of the rules? Yes. Has he been fined and suspended? Yes. OK -- and the argument is ... what, exactly? Accept the fact that Knaus and the proverbial "guys back at the shop" mastered the old race car as well as the new car. Their efforts should be applauded. "Those key players, guys I started this team with, are still at HMS," Johnson said at Homestead. "There is a lot of confidence in my mind knowing that Chad has been here before, our engineers have been here before ... that gives me the comfort to sleep at night." Ask yourself this: If Jimmie Johnson is so vanilla and Chad Knaus is a blatant cheat, why would NASCAR want those two making a mockery of the Chase -- much less celebrating a record-setting four consecutive championships? You'd be better off making inroads for new evidence on the grassy knoll with that kind of idiotic conspiracy theory. No doubt Johnson makes it look easy. However, perception is not reality. When was the last time you, the Hate on 48 crowd, walked a step -- much less drove a mile -- in his shoes? He makes it look easy because he puts in the work before he slides behind the wheel. "I've worked my entire life to be in this position," Johnson said after the race. "So has Chad, so has Rick. So it's not that we backed into any of this. It's not that it just happened. We've gone out and worked really, really hard and have dedicated our lives to it, and it's paid off." Knaus, who is now tied with Kirk Shelmerdine for the second-most championships as a crew chief behind Dale Inman (8), is the lynchpin for the No. 48. Knaus' tenacity and ability to narrow his focus is key when the race is on the line. "Obviously the achievement of winning four championships is awesome," Knaus said. "But the week in, week out battles that we go through to try to win these championships is so difficult, and it's difficult on everybody on the team. "As you guys know, I pride myself on our team being prepared and ready for action at the drop of a hat, and I think that those guys [the 48 crew] do that. I think that if the chips are down and we have to do massive adjustments to the race car to try to get the speed out of it to extract whatever it is we need to extract out of it, they do it. And I think that speaks volumes, and I'm proud of that. I'm proud to be a part of it." So what's the rub against Johnson, Knaus and the rest of the Hendrick bunch? What, your driver isn't getting it done so it's open season on those who are excelling? Apparently it's easier to take pot-shots at those who do the work and succeed than it is to appreciate the effort that goes into a championship -- not to mention four consecutive years of outstanding effort. Ah yes, the Chase -- that's the rub. The first 26 races are meaningless, so goes the theory. No, the first 26 races determine the top 12 team's position for the final 10 races. After that, it's every man for himself with every man still running under the same point system. What's so hard to understand about that? It's not like Johnson is scored under a different point system ... For those who continue to hail the virtues of the good ol' days, you do realize that Richard Petty won his championships under the rules of the day, correct? (Not to mention Petty raced under two different point systems while racking up his seven titles.) Ditto Dale Earnhardt and the other 25 series champions not named Jimmie Johnson. "You know, the fact that nobody has done this, I think it puts me near the top," Johnson said. "I certainly look at the seven championships by both Earnhardt and Petty, their race wins, their being in the sport for the number of years and all that they've done, those two guys are kind of at a draw at the top. "Hopefully my stats and win totals and championship totals can rival theirs. But it puts us up there, it really does. And the cool thing is we're not done yet. We've got a lot of racing left ahead of us. So hopefully we can improve on that." We're not done yet ... that's gotta chap some of you where the sun don't shine. Johnson winning four consecutive titles ranks at the top of the charts for driver feat in the sport. And that he did it with class and dogged determination should be exalted by those who purportedly are fans of the sport. It is not a comparison of today vs. yesteryear. It is not a comparison of driver vs. driver. It is a celebration of a remarkable achievement. Anything less is whine. The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.
Well, that's all for today. Until the next time, I remain,
Your Nascar Momma Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
"Don't come here and grumble about going too fast. Get the hell out of the race car if you've got feathers on your legs or butt. Put a kerosene rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up there and eat that candy ass." -Dale Earnhardt - 1998 | 
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