2010 NASCAR running thread

Have the now-former 48 crew become the new 88 crew. That way Jr. has a natural excuse.

 

I wouldn't necessarily say Johnson's dominance is a catalyst in NASCAR's decline, but it certainly doesn't help.

You're right that him winning again would indeed be remarkable. As talented as he is, though, I just find him too bland and uninspiring to pay him much attention. I'm sure I'm far from the only person who feels that way.

Then again, I've just stopped caring about stock car racing in general. And I used to be very heavily into it - at the local short tracks most Saturday nights, writing about it, watching NASCAR every Sunday. These days I really couldn't care less.

 

Jimmie's not nearly the robot he was in his first few years. He's allowing a little more of his personality out, but he's still not going to be stirring the pot with anything controversial. His feud with Gordon was something he wouldn't have even talked about his first few seasons.

 

Johnson's domination would be all well and good if they didn't reset the points. To me, the problem is not with Johnson winning. It's the Chase that allows him to win.

 

Yeah, the Chase does suck all kinds of donkey dick.

 

No. Only the johnny-come-lately Days of Thunder NASCAR fans are frustrated about any certain driver not making the cut or lose interest come football season. Real race fans understand a championship is won over the course of an entire season. If you lock it up early, good for you and congratulations. There doesn't have to a single climactic moment in the last race of the year.

NASCAR even says the Chase creates drams, which means they don't give a shit if the most deserving person wins as long as it's exciting.

To make matters worse, the NHRA followed their lead.

 

You got that right.

Brian France has never heard the story of Jocko Flocko. (and if anyone hasn't, look it up)

 

Two or three years ago I was covering a USAR Hooters Pro Cup race in Iowa. Series officials and announcer went out of their way to brag they had their version of the Chase before NASCAR did. Boy were they ever proud of that.
NA$CAR stopped catering to the real race fans many years ago. Probably mid- to late-1980s or so. I stopped watching it in 2002 because of the drivers getting killed and NASCAR doing nothing until Cash Cow 1 died. I've seen no reason to start watching again, only more reasons not to watch. Especially the Chase. Thing is, Jimmie Johnson is probably good enough and with a good enough team he could probably win multiple titles under the old format. But instead he wins with an asterisk. Being good over 36 races is much more impressive than being good for 10 races, IMO.

 

If NASCAR wants to have a playoff, fine. But limit those playoff races to the 12 drivers who qualify. A field filler in 41st place in the standings has no business being in a position to block or even wreck a front-running car with a championship on the line, if your playoff system is to be taken seriously.