Yeah, well, Stewart and Newman tried that this past weekend, and all it got was a good close up of the pavement for Ryan Newman. Meanwhile, the rest of the field tried their own, and Johnson just slid right through for a better-than-any-other-contender 6th place finish, in a car that had been terrible all day long.
Really, if you had taken snapshots every five laps and calculated Johnson's average position, it would be around 30. But at the end, there he was. And now he's got enough of a lead that he'll leave next week with the lead.
With 3 races left, this championship is done. I'd love to see something else happen, but it won't.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
How Many Championships in a Row...
Does Jimmie Johnson have to win before NASCAR scraps the "Chase for the Championship"?
Will four do it? I don't know, but I doubt it. It'll be the first time that anyone's won 4 in a row, although both Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt won 4 in 5 years (2 and 2). Cale Yarborough won 3 in a row before, so I can see how that wasn't particularly surprising to people.
But looking at how Johnson is racing this season, once again leading the Chase, it just seems to me that he and Chad Knaus have this Chase format figured out. Maybe they have their cheating figured out (cause I still don't think Knaus plays with a fair deck), or maybe they just know how to get everyone operating at peak level for the last 10 races of the year. There is yet again an air of inevitability to it. There's always the possibility that he'll get wrecked, but at this point, I think it would take a gang-tackling to do it, maybe if Stewart gets Ryan Newman to slide into Johnson as he laps him.
The bottom line is that the only way I think Johnson's going to lose is if someone wrecks him. He's too good to do it himself, and he's a closer, at least for a long-view thing like a points race. Even if they completely miss the setup on a racetrack, which the 48 team never does, they fix it by the end of the race, and there he is in the top 5 at the checkered flag.
Or maybe, like last year, my posting about the leader at this point will jinx him, and Montoya can come through for the win.
Will four do it? I don't know, but I doubt it. It'll be the first time that anyone's won 4 in a row, although both Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt won 4 in 5 years (2 and 2). Cale Yarborough won 3 in a row before, so I can see how that wasn't particularly surprising to people.
But looking at how Johnson is racing this season, once again leading the Chase, it just seems to me that he and Chad Knaus have this Chase format figured out. Maybe they have their cheating figured out (cause I still don't think Knaus plays with a fair deck), or maybe they just know how to get everyone operating at peak level for the last 10 races of the year. There is yet again an air of inevitability to it. There's always the possibility that he'll get wrecked, but at this point, I think it would take a gang-tackling to do it, maybe if Stewart gets Ryan Newman to slide into Johnson as he laps him.
The bottom line is that the only way I think Johnson's going to lose is if someone wrecks him. He's too good to do it himself, and he's a closer, at least for a long-view thing like a points race. Even if they completely miss the setup on a racetrack, which the 48 team never does, they fix it by the end of the race, and there he is in the top 5 at the checkered flag.
Or maybe, like last year, my posting about the leader at this point will jinx him, and Montoya can come through for the win.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
How I became a full-fledged Kyle Busch fan
Sorry Jimmie, sorry Jeff. I feel terrible having to betray the marque that produced my very first driving experience. The Lumina "Eurosport" I learned to drive with made me feel like Cole Trickle taking down Russ Wheeler at Daytona (ok, it was actually a torque-steery dung heap, I guess anything will do when you're 16), but nostalgia can only take me so far. I just cannot in good conscience cheer for a government-owned car company*, regardless of how many degrees of separation there are between what goes on in Detroit and Charlotte. With four of the top five teams sporting bowties, and a natural resistance to cheering for anything Jack Roush, I may become as disinterested in Sprint Cup as I am in Formula Whatever if this party isn't crashed.
We need you now more than ever, Rowdy.
*for my next challenge: cheer against stick-and-ball teams that play in government-sponsored arenas - good luck with that!
We need you now more than ever, Rowdy.
*for my next challenge: cheer against stick-and-ball teams that play in government-sponsored arenas - good luck with that!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Unintended Consequences
It has been well acknowledged that while restrictor plates are intended to cap speeds and increase safety, their practical effect has been to staple race cars to each other, necessitating tight drafting and risky, last second passes. In reviewing Edward's attempted crowd surfing in the 'Dega grandstand, I was mighty impressed at how the catch fencing held up. One of the engineers at my office, however, pointed out that the Safer Barrier may have actually made the impact worse than it needed to be. Have another look at the way the car deflects off the barrier and into the fencing at an awkard angle. If the fence had been aligned with the wall (i.e. no supplemental barrier) do you think the penetration into the grandstands would have been as severe?
Friday, March 27, 2009
Formula WTF
File under unexpected headlines:
WILLIAMS, TOYOTA, BRAWN BEST IN AUSTRALIAN GP PRACTICE
This certainly throws my round 1 fantasy picks into disarray. Although I was impressed with Williams' form early last season, although things eventually tapered off and this year RBS probably won't be cutting cheques for additional development. Still could see a first win for Nico if things fall into place. I'm also reluctant to bet against Red Bull (and specifically Seb Vettel), diffuser appeals be damned. It is entirely likely, as aero witch Newey speculates, that the rule changes will lead to a greater differential in pole to tail lap times rather than bunching up the field (in terms of competitiveness, last year was certainly hard to match). So go ahead and place your bets on which team gets out front and stays out front. I'll throw down with BMW-Sauber and go along with their split KERS hedging strategy.
My picks:
Drivers - Vettel
Constructors - BMW Sauber
First Win - Rosberg
Now this is where I always get confused - the quali is scheduled for Saturday at 1:55 AM EST, which means on the west coast it's actually late Friday night?
UPDATE: Button, Barrichello take the front row. I'm speechless.
UPDATE 2: Think Honda would love to have their red lettering across those engine bays? Nice timing, though - Brawn takes two Earth Dreams donkeys and plants them 1-2 on the grid.
WILLIAMS, TOYOTA, BRAWN BEST IN AUSTRALIAN GP PRACTICE
This certainly throws my round 1 fantasy picks into disarray. Although I was impressed with Williams' form early last season, although things eventually tapered off and this year RBS probably won't be cutting cheques for additional development. Still could see a first win for Nico if things fall into place. I'm also reluctant to bet against Red Bull (and specifically Seb Vettel), diffuser appeals be damned. It is entirely likely, as aero witch Newey speculates, that the rule changes will lead to a greater differential in pole to tail lap times rather than bunching up the field (in terms of competitiveness, last year was certainly hard to match). So go ahead and place your bets on which team gets out front and stays out front. I'll throw down with BMW-Sauber and go along with their split KERS hedging strategy.
My picks:
Drivers - Vettel
Constructors - BMW Sauber
First Win - Rosberg
Now this is where I always get confused - the quali is scheduled for Saturday at 1:55 AM EST, which means on the west coast it's actually late Friday night?
UPDATE: Button, Barrichello take the front row. I'm speechless.
UPDATE 2: Think Honda would love to have their red lettering across those engine bays? Nice timing, though - Brawn takes two Earth Dreams donkeys and plants them 1-2 on the grid.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Red Bull Describes Rule Changes
In a nifty computer animation, Red Bull shows what their new car looks like, while describing the differences from last years cars to this year. A nice series of 'exploded' (design-type, not Michael Bay type) looks at the car, and transformations from the old car to the new one.
See it at Racing-live, for now: http://multimedia.f1-live.com/f1/en/videos/
See it at Racing-live, for now: http://multimedia.f1-live.com/f1/en/videos/
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Countdown to Daytona: Quick Picks
I started intensely following NASCAR around 1990, so I've seen a few mild recessions but no major economic meltdown. Even the oil crisis and Chrysler bankruptcy years came at a time when NASCAR was still a regional curiousity rather than a respected north american pro sport brand.
How then will layoffs and belt-tightening along pit road affect the standings? I think like any investment portfolio, you stay away from the flashy and trendy and go with your blue chips and proven performers. There'll be some blank panels on the starters and we might even see the start-and-park phenomenon infiltrate the Sprint Cup ranks (see more on this hedging tactic in this month's Car and Driver), but those teams who won when times were good and the credit was flowing should be more resilient during the eventual drought, right?
In any event, here's some quick picks for my Yahoo Fantasy Team.
A-Listers
1) Jeff Gordon
Early season breakout pick, and a decent underdog seeing as everyone will be picking Rowdy, Jimmie or Cousin Carl off the bat. Why so quick to write off the only guy who got within spitting distance of his teammate in 07? You can't get much more blue chip than Jeff Gordon at Daytona, and besides, I save my Jimmie Johnson starts for late in the season, when the Lowe's crew really gels. An early win would immediately get the pressure off of Letarte (the guy has to be trusted if he can put up with a whiny, winless Jeff Gordon over the course of a year) and bank some positive energy for later in the season.
1a) Kyle Busch
He's pretty much the focus of attention at JGR now that the large shadow of Tony Stewart has disappeared from the organization. The focus can now be on mechanical reliability and a little more patience. I think the spectacle of Rowdy Busch driving a Camry to the championship could bring us to the brink of euro-style soccer hooliganism. Isn't that in itself reason enough to cheer for the goofball?
B-Listers
2) Tony Stewart
With fresh memories of his on-air despondency in pursuit of Jimmie Johnson ("are we ever gonna beat these guys?"), it will be interesting to see how Tony's perspective changes now that he has more skin in the game as part owner. I love the fact that he's got A.J. Foyt's old number 14. I mean, the guy's almost more A.J. than A.J. Now if only they'd let him bring back the black and orange Copenhagen chew sponsorship.
2a) David Ragan
One of those kids with a vertical career trajectory. Solid equipment and high profile sponsorship should keep him near the front and get him easily into the Chase.
2b) Kurt Busch
I was initially strangely tempted to go with David Reutimann here, but he is only about 50% sponsored for the season and who knows what sort of shenanigans Michael Waltrip Racing's going to get busted on this year. Instead I fell for an old favorite in Kurt Busch. Penske's superspeedway gear has been much improved in recent years and a newly approved front clip should help out the Dodge entries.
2c) Brian Vickers
Someone predicted a top-five for the Red Bullers this year. I won't go that far, but between he and the intriguing Scott Speed, I think at least one Chase berth is a given.
C-Listers
3) Bobby Labonte
Yates Racing's lineup impressed me last year, in spite of their sponsorship issues and now they'll be teaming up with Hall of Fame. Although "Woppel" and Gilliland may find themselves on the outs, an outfit like Yates can make plenty of power with minimal dollars. 1999 wasn't that long ago was it?
3a) AJ Allmendinger
He'll probably need another firing mid-season to keep him sparked, but I suppose a switch to Petty Enterprises should be sufficient to tap that driving talent in the early going. If it succeeds in getting that bum Sadler on the jump than even a part time gig won't be in vain.
As far as the big race goes, I'll keep my money on Jeff Gordon. What say you BF readers?
How then will layoffs and belt-tightening along pit road affect the standings? I think like any investment portfolio, you stay away from the flashy and trendy and go with your blue chips and proven performers. There'll be some blank panels on the starters and we might even see the start-and-park phenomenon infiltrate the Sprint Cup ranks (see more on this hedging tactic in this month's Car and Driver), but those teams who won when times were good and the credit was flowing should be more resilient during the eventual drought, right?
In any event, here's some quick picks for my Yahoo Fantasy Team.
A-Listers
1) Jeff Gordon
Early season breakout pick, and a decent underdog seeing as everyone will be picking Rowdy, Jimmie or Cousin Carl off the bat. Why so quick to write off the only guy who got within spitting distance of his teammate in 07? You can't get much more blue chip than Jeff Gordon at Daytona, and besides, I save my Jimmie Johnson starts for late in the season, when the Lowe's crew really gels. An early win would immediately get the pressure off of Letarte (the guy has to be trusted if he can put up with a whiny, winless Jeff Gordon over the course of a year) and bank some positive energy for later in the season.
1a) Kyle Busch
He's pretty much the focus of attention at JGR now that the large shadow of Tony Stewart has disappeared from the organization. The focus can now be on mechanical reliability and a little more patience. I think the spectacle of Rowdy Busch driving a Camry to the championship could bring us to the brink of euro-style soccer hooliganism. Isn't that in itself reason enough to cheer for the goofball?
B-Listers
2) Tony Stewart
With fresh memories of his on-air despondency in pursuit of Jimmie Johnson ("are we ever gonna beat these guys?"), it will be interesting to see how Tony's perspective changes now that he has more skin in the game as part owner. I love the fact that he's got A.J. Foyt's old number 14. I mean, the guy's almost more A.J. than A.J. Now if only they'd let him bring back the black and orange Copenhagen chew sponsorship.
2a) David Ragan
One of those kids with a vertical career trajectory. Solid equipment and high profile sponsorship should keep him near the front and get him easily into the Chase.
2b) Kurt Busch
I was initially strangely tempted to go with David Reutimann here, but he is only about 50% sponsored for the season and who knows what sort of shenanigans Michael Waltrip Racing's going to get busted on this year. Instead I fell for an old favorite in Kurt Busch. Penske's superspeedway gear has been much improved in recent years and a newly approved front clip should help out the Dodge entries.
2c) Brian Vickers
Someone predicted a top-five for the Red Bullers this year. I won't go that far, but between he and the intriguing Scott Speed, I think at least one Chase berth is a given.
C-Listers
3) Bobby Labonte
Yates Racing's lineup impressed me last year, in spite of their sponsorship issues and now they'll be teaming up with Hall of Fame. Although "Woppel" and Gilliland may find themselves on the outs, an outfit like Yates can make plenty of power with minimal dollars. 1999 wasn't that long ago was it?
3a) AJ Allmendinger
He'll probably need another firing mid-season to keep him sparked, but I suppose a switch to Petty Enterprises should be sufficient to tap that driving talent in the early going. If it succeeds in getting that bum Sadler on the jump than even a part time gig won't be in vain.
As far as the big race goes, I'll keep my money on Jeff Gordon. What say you BF readers?
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