THE iNSIDE SCOOP
By Ron Lemasters Jr.
If you're a serious student of the game of NASCAR, you're probably wondering which turn the Chase will take next.
After Martinsville, it's anybody's ball game again. Jeff Burton's engine failure was the equivalent of a late-inning three-run homer that tied the game. Jimmie Johnson is out of the hole he was in, the top eight are within 100 points and even Jeff Gordon has his ears perked up after the events of Sunday last.
There's a truism among NASCAR regulars concerning the points race. If you're within 156 points, you do have a shot at the title. If it gets to Homestead and you're within 30 points, it's tied with time running off the clock, and you have as good a chance to win as anybody.
That's where we are now. Nine of the 10 drivers are within the 156-point window with four races to go, and while there's no true wild-card track left, there are some corkers. Atlanta this weekend is the fastest track on the circuit, and it's a killer on engines. Wide-open all day long is the key to winning races at Atlanta, and given the engine troubles we've seen over the past few races, count on at least one big plume of smoke from a contender.
Personally, my pick to win this deal is Jimmie Johnson. Third time's a charm, right? Winning at Martinsville was the jump-start this team needed, and JJ will finally be in a position to step up and deliver with the bases loaded.
Of course, Mark Martin remains my sentimental pick, because he has come so close so many times, and because I would truly like to see his reaction once he gets out of the car and realizes that yes, a championship was meant to be for him.
Kasey Kahne would be a neat dark horse, simply because he runs so well on the 1.5-mile cookie cutters, but there's an experience gap that will be difficult to overcome. Dale Earnhardt Jr. might pull it off, but I think he and his team are a little off right now and will fall short of the title.
The RCR boys, Jeff Burton and Kevin Harvick, have been consistent all season—until now, and that will preclude them winning the title. Denny Hamlin has a shot, but I have the feeling that he's going to wake up one day and realize he's a rookie, and that will be that.
Jeff Gordon is 141 points out and working on 2007. Kyle Busch has too much to overcome, even though he's been fast everywhere this year.
One big shout-out goes to Petty Enterprises, which had Bobby Labonte in third and Kyle Petty 10 th at Martinsville. That's the first time two PE cars have been in the top 10 in the same race since 1999. Congrats to all the folks in Randleman and Level Cross!
Big rumor of the week: Chevrolet and Dodge will switch models for 2007. Dodge will abandon the Charger for the Avenger (basically a smaller Charger), and Chevy will abandon the Monte Carlo for the Impala SS on the COT only.
None of this has been confirmed as yet, but it sounds right. The Dodge's nose has always been problematic, and the Monte Carlo is a rear-wheel-drive car. Currently, there is no replacement in GM's design studio for the venerable nameplate.
As we talked about earlier this year, plans are reportedly in the works for a switch to “pony” cars in the Busch Series as early as 2010. The Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and Toyota Solara are planned for that venture.
From the Official Nascar Members Club
By Ron Lemasters Jr.
If you're a serious student of the game of NASCAR, you're probably wondering which turn the Chase will take next.
After Martinsville, it's anybody's ball game again. Jeff Burton's engine failure was the equivalent of a late-inning three-run homer that tied the game. Jimmie Johnson is out of the hole he was in, the top eight are within 100 points and even Jeff Gordon has his ears perked up after the events of Sunday last.
There's a truism among NASCAR regulars concerning the points race. If you're within 156 points, you do have a shot at the title. If it gets to Homestead and you're within 30 points, it's tied with time running off the clock, and you have as good a chance to win as anybody.
That's where we are now. Nine of the 10 drivers are within the 156-point window with four races to go, and while there's no true wild-card track left, there are some corkers. Atlanta this weekend is the fastest track on the circuit, and it's a killer on engines. Wide-open all day long is the key to winning races at Atlanta, and given the engine troubles we've seen over the past few races, count on at least one big plume of smoke from a contender.
Personally, my pick to win this deal is Jimmie Johnson. Third time's a charm, right? Winning at Martinsville was the jump-start this team needed, and JJ will finally be in a position to step up and deliver with the bases loaded.
Of course, Mark Martin remains my sentimental pick, because he has come so close so many times, and because I would truly like to see his reaction once he gets out of the car and realizes that yes, a championship was meant to be for him.
Kasey Kahne would be a neat dark horse, simply because he runs so well on the 1.5-mile cookie cutters, but there's an experience gap that will be difficult to overcome. Dale Earnhardt Jr. might pull it off, but I think he and his team are a little off right now and will fall short of the title.
The RCR boys, Jeff Burton and Kevin Harvick, have been consistent all season—until now, and that will preclude them winning the title. Denny Hamlin has a shot, but I have the feeling that he's going to wake up one day and realize he's a rookie, and that will be that.
Jeff Gordon is 141 points out and working on 2007. Kyle Busch has too much to overcome, even though he's been fast everywhere this year.
One big shout-out goes to Petty Enterprises, which had Bobby Labonte in third and Kyle Petty 10 th at Martinsville. That's the first time two PE cars have been in the top 10 in the same race since 1999. Congrats to all the folks in Randleman and Level Cross!
Big rumor of the week: Chevrolet and Dodge will switch models for 2007. Dodge will abandon the Charger for the Avenger (basically a smaller Charger), and Chevy will abandon the Monte Carlo for the Impala SS on the COT only.
None of this has been confirmed as yet, but it sounds right. The Dodge's nose has always been problematic, and the Monte Carlo is a rear-wheel-drive car. Currently, there is no replacement in GM's design studio for the venerable nameplate.
As we talked about earlier this year, plans are reportedly in the works for a switch to “pony” cars in the Busch Series as early as 2010. The Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and Toyota Solara are planned for that venture.
From the Official Nascar Members Club
