Jimmie Johnson

[HoneyBadger]

They were talking about five-straight on ESPN2 tonight and how he's not running well (second in points is terrible).

My question: Who's gonna beat him?

Harvick could, but Harvick does terrible at Dover, especially in the fall... and it's pretty clear you're gonna have to finish top-three every week to beat Jimmie. Jimmie and Chad step their **** up when the Chase starts.

 

[Spike]

I am going to say when someone beats him, it wont be someone you expect. It will be a Biffle or a Kahne or a Newman who just gets incredibly hot in the Chase.

 

[SpeedPagan]

I dunno, Johnson would have to finish terrible in 3 or more races during The Chase to even give someone else a chance. Johnson can wreck out of one race and be fine, since it's a habit of him to come back strong in the following race.

As for him doing terrible this season. He's second in points and six points behind Carl Edwards....how is that terrible again?

 

[Spike]

One thing to remember is that this new points system is much less forgiving on solitary bad performances.

 

[SpeedPagan]

One thing to remember is that this new points system is much less forgiving on solitary bad performances.

Yea, but Johnson already had fives races in which he didn't finish in the top ten already, Daytona 500 (27th), Kobalt Tools 400 (14th), Goody's Fast Relief 500 (11th), Showtime Southern 500 (15th), and the Coca-Cola 600 (28th) and he's 2nd in points.

So either the other 40 some odd drivers are doing worse than Jimmie, or the new points system is not as harsh as everyone is making it out to be.

 

[Spike]

Yea, but Johnson already had fives races in which he didn't finish in the top ten already, Daytona 500 (27th), Kobalt Tools 400 (14th), Goody's Fast Relief 500 (11th), Showtime Southern 500 (15th), and the Coca-Cola 600 (28th) and he's 2nd in points.

So either the other 40 some odd drivers are doing worse than Jimmie, or the new points system is not as harsh as everyone is making it out to be.

In a 10 race format, it can be much more damaging.

 

[HoneyBadger]

I am going to say when someone beats him, it wont be someone you expect. It will be a Biffle or a Kahne or a Newman who just gets incredibly hot in the Chase.

Yep. If Kahne, Biffle, Stewart, Kurt Busch, Newman or Montoya get on a hot streak and knock off 5-6 wins or finish top-three every week for three months straight, that could be trouble for Jimmie.

 

[SpeedPagan]

In a 10 race format, it can be much more damaging.

Hmm, good point. I think Johnson will win #6, Chad and him always turn it up to 11 when The Chase starts.

Yep. If Kahne, Biffle, Stewart, Kurt Busch, Newman or Montoya get on a hot streak and knock off 5-6 wins or finish top-three every week for three months straight, that could be trouble for Jimmie.

Getting into The Chase is the easy part (relevantly speaking), the hard part is going to be staying in contention for that Championship during The Chase. I mean last year it came down to Johnson, Hamlin and Harvick. It came down to the wire. Also, one steep penalty pretty much knocked Bowyer out of contention after the first race in The Chase.

 

[MoMike]

They were talking about five-straight on ESPN2 tonight and how he's not running well (second in points is terrible).

My question: Who's gonna beat him?

Harvick could, but Harvick does terrible at Dover, especially in the fall... and it's pretty clear you're gonna have to finish top-three every week to beat Jimmie. Jimmie and Chad step their **** up when the Chase starts.

I think it's far too early to speculate with any accuracy, at this point in the game. 100 things can happen to swing momentum, and make anyone a contender between now and September.
I've yet to see any signs that point to Johnsons undoing. Sorry he hasn't racked up 6 wins yet this year, but the obvious formula, is make the chase, and save the best for last.

As to who can beat him at this point, if the chase started tomorrow,i'd say Gordon, or Harvick, and maybe Kenseth.
MoMike

 

[Mopardh9]

I think it's far too early to speculate with any accuracy, at this point in the game. 100 things can happen to swing momentum, and make anyone a contender between now and September.
I've yet to see any signs that point to Johnsons undoing. Sorry he hasn't racked up 6 wins yet this year, but the obvious formula, is make the chase, and save the best for last.

As to who can beat him at this point, if the chase started tomorrow,i'd say Gordon, or Harvick, and maybe Kenseth.
MoMike

At this period in the season I'd say Jeffy has the best chance to beat him, although Jr is becoming a lot more consistent this year and if he gets hot in the Chase it could be him.

 

[MoMike]

At this period in the season I'd say Jeffy has the best chance to beat him, although Jr is becoming a lot more consistent this year and if he gets hot in the Chase it could be him.

I like Jr alot, but I have doubts about how he will handle the pressure of a Chase, with the level of competition we have today. My verdict is still out on if they can turn it up a notch, as a team, when it counts.
MoMike

 

[nascage]

They were talking about five-straight on ESPN2 tonight and how he's not running well (second in points is terrible).

My question: Who's gonna beat him?

Harvick could, but Harvick does terrible at Dover, especially in the fall... and it's pretty clear you're gonna have to finish top-three every week to beat Jimmie. Jimmie and Chad step their **** up when the Chase starts.

You pretty much answered your own question. Only Jimmie can beat, as Larry Mac would say, his-self. I think it's Jimmie's championship to lose. There are some good names already thrown out there in prior posts who will make a good run at Jimmie. But like you said - "It's pretty clear you're gonna have to finish top-three every week to beat Jimmie. Jimmie and Chad step their **** up when the Chase starts."

 

[Tennessee Racing]

Unless something happens between JJ and Knaus it's gonna be hard for anyone to beat them. That guy could make a pinto run top 10.

 

[SpeedPagan]

Unless something happens between JJ and Knaus it's gonna be hard for anyone to beat them. That guy could make a pinto run top 10.

I'd actually like to see that.

Jimmie Johnson is so good that he's running in the top five in a.....Pinto?

 

[JimmieGordon2448]

I think he can be beat, Hamlin screwed it up last year. Gordon seems pretty hungry, Harvick can pull off multiple wins in the chase, and I think knows what it takes to win a championship.Johnson is amazing, especially considering the talented field Nascar has each race. Whenever he seems down and no way is he gonna win it again, he comes back and wins it again. They have had some pit crew issues, over the last few years though, that's what eventually could cost them. He doesn't get Gordon's crew last year, I am not sure if he wins five.