Rea White: Don't expect regular-season frontrunners to stumble in the Chase

Raven · 08-19-2008, 02:52 PM

By Rea White - Associate Editor
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
COMMENTARY

Imagine if all the top teams stay on their game as the Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup unfolds. How great would it be to see the top contenders battling for wins and finishing first and second in races in the 10 events that will determine the champion?

This could be the kind of year that NASCAR fans long for, one that balances the season-long consistency that traditional fans feel should lead to a championship and the tight battle to the title that the Chase was supposed to create. This year, fans could actually have a little of both.

In recent weeks, both Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch and Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards – arguably the top pair of teams over the course of this season – have both shown the strength that has put them atop the standings. Busch has led the standings for 14 weeks and has been no worse than fifth overall all season. That’s an incredible level of consistency. He’s earned eight wins with 15 top-10 finishes and 1,165 laps at the front of the field. That has him leading the standings by 222 points over Edwards, who has enjoyed his own stellar run this season.

Edwards earned his fifth win this season – in a race where Busch finished second – Sunday and has 17 top-10 finishes with 10 top-five runs this season. He’s led 552 laps and has overcome a point penalty to sit in the top 10 in the standings for the past 17 weeks. He’s pieced together a steady climb to his second position.

And then there’s Hendrick Motorsports’ Jimmie Johnson, who is showing the signs of strength that generally manifest themselves within his team at this point in the season. Last year he hit a winning streak in the Chase to earn his second consecutive championship. While he hasn’t won as regularly as most expected him to this season, he has two victories as well as 12 top-10 and seven top-five performances. That has him third in the standings.

No disrespect to anyone, but the rest of the field simply has not shown this type of strength to date. Interestingly, though, several competitors appear to be gaining strength as the Chase nears. The Richard Childress Racing duo of Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton have returned to consistent form in recent weeks, and Gillett Evernham Motorsports’ Kasey Kahne has shown he has the ability to break out with a stellar streak of performances.

All of this could come together to make this the most competitive Chase to date. It seems clear that, barring being caught up in crashes, Busch and Edwards are on top of their game, and their teams have managed to put together solid, mistake-free runs for weeks on end. They will open the Chase atop the standings and have the talent to stay there. But they’ll be fending off some hot challenges along the way.

It’s easy to envision a scenario where the top three teams head to Homestead-Miami Speedway in the midst of a heated and stellar championship battle. While that’s certainly something NASCAR has hoped for and has seen from time to time, this could be the most hotly contested title run to date.

This could actually be one that features the teams that have been the most consistent performers over the course of the season. And isn’t that what is supposed to happen in a championship season, not just in the championship Chase?

08-19-2008, 03:10 PM

I expect Kyle Busch to make alot of mental errors during the Chase. To point that he can't help himself to overcome the emotions of getting closer to a championship.

I'm not a Roush fan by any means but I was thrilled to see Carl keep Kyle out of victory lane this post Sunday.

Here's something else: I may be a Hendrick fan, but I do NOT want Jimmie Johnson winning the title. I rather see Carl Edwards get it than to see Jimmie or Kyle get it.

Raven · 08-19-2008, 03:23 PM

I enjoyed seeing Carl flip again as well. I am a Kyle Busch fan and I don't think he'll make many mistakes. I don't want Jimmy getting it again this year either and if it goes to a Hendrick driver, I'll be torn between Jeff or Jr., I like both of them.

08-19-2008, 03:55 PM

Jr. hasn't won a title yet and I'm a bit torn between he and Jeff too. Right now, I like to think Jeff is sandbagging but I don't even have enough trust in his pit crew to even think that's what's happening.

Raven · 08-19-2008, 04:18 PM

It ain't Jeff.

08-19-2008, 05:18 PM

I never thought it was Jeff. His crew is the problem. When you got a 4-time CUP champion criticizing your work, then you know you're not doing your job right. Jeff's crew needs to realize that/

revvinjim · 08-20-2008, 06:16 PM

Jeff is going to "go for it." His own words.

Rev' Jim's RantsnRaves: Beware! The Gordon is back!

Raven · 08-21-2008, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by revvinjim

Jeff is going to "go for it." His own words.

Rev' Jim's RantsnRaves: Beware! The Gordon is back!

Good for him! I want to see Jeff do as well as I know he can!

08-21-2008, 11:39 AM

You know right before the race on Sunday, Jeff said in an interview that he had a "great car". I kinda talked at the TV as if I was talking to Jeff and said "Yeah that's what you always say but give Letarte time to screw it up." Turns out I was in the right to not have so much faith in what Jeff says because he had 2 really bad pit stops and look what happened. Got sent back where he shouldn't have been and tangled with team mate Jimmie Johnson. That should NOT have happened.

08-19-2008, 02:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Raven Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 387	Rea White: Don't expect regular-season frontrunners to stumble in the Chase By Rea White - Associate Editor Tuesday, August 19, 2008 COMMENTARY Imagine if all the top teams stay on their game as the Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup unfolds. How great would it be to see the top contenders battling for wins and finishing first and second in races in the 10 events that will determine the champion? This could be the kind of year that NASCAR fans long for, one that balances the season-long consistency that traditional fans feel should lead to a championship and the tight battle to the title that the Chase was supposed to create. This year, fans could actually have a little of both. In recent weeks, both Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch and Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards – arguably the top pair of teams over the course of this season – have both shown the strength that has put them atop the standings. Busch has led the standings for 14 weeks and has been no worse than fifth overall all season. That’s an incredible level of consistency. He’s earned eight wins with 15 top-10 finishes and 1,165 laps at the front of the field. That has him leading the standings by 222 points over Edwards, who has enjoyed his own stellar run this season. Edwards earned his fifth win this season – in a race where Busch finished second – Sunday and has 17 top-10 finishes with 10 top-five runs this season. He’s led 552 laps and has overcome a point penalty to sit in the top 10 in the standings for the past 17 weeks. He’s pieced together a steady climb to his second position. And then there’s Hendrick Motorsports’ Jimmie Johnson, who is showing the signs of strength that generally manifest themselves within his team at this point in the season. Last year he hit a winning streak in the Chase to earn his second consecutive championship. While he hasn’t won as regularly as most expected him to this season, he has two victories as well as 12 top-10 and seven top-five performances. That has him third in the standings. No disrespect to anyone, but the rest of the field simply has not shown this type of strength to date. Interestingly, though, several competitors appear to be gaining strength as the Chase nears. The Richard Childress Racing duo of Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton have returned to consistent form in recent weeks, and Gillett Evernham Motorsports’ Kasey Kahne has shown he has the ability to break out with a stellar streak of performances. All of this could come together to make this the most competitive Chase to date. It seems clear that, barring being caught up in crashes, Busch and Edwards are on top of their game, and their teams have managed to put together solid, mistake-free runs for weeks on end. They will open the Chase atop the standings and have the talent to stay there. But they’ll be fending off some hot challenges along the way. It’s easy to envision a scenario where the top three teams head to Homestead-Miami Speedway in the midst of a heated and stellar championship battle. While that’s certainly something NASCAR has hoped for and has seen from time to time, this could be the most hotly contested title run to date. This could actually be one that features the teams that have been the most consistent performers over the course of the season. And isn’t that what is supposed to happen in a championship season, not just in the championship Chase?

08-20-2008, 06:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
revvinjim Resident Old Fart Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 1,968	Jeff is going to "go for it." His own words. Rev' Jim's RantsnRaves: Beware! The Gordon is back! __________________ Never argue with an idiot--people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-19-2008, 03:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
24n88fan Guest Posts: n/a	I expect Kyle Busch to make alot of mental errors during the Chase. To point that he can't help himself to overcome the emotions of getting closer to a championship. I'm not a Roush fan by any means but I was thrilled to see Carl keep Kyle out of victory lane this post Sunday. Here's something else: I may be a Hendrick fan, but I do NOT want Jimmie Johnson winning the title. I rather see Carl Edwards get it than to see Jimmie or Kyle get it.

08-19-2008, 03:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Raven Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 387	I enjoyed seeing Carl flip again as well. I am a Kyle Busch fan and I don't think he'll make many mistakes. I don't want Jimmy getting it again this year either and if it goes to a Hendrick driver, I'll be torn between Jeff or Jr., I like both of them.

08-19-2008, 03:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
24n88fan Guest Posts: n/a	Jr. hasn't won a title yet and I'm a bit torn between he and Jeff too. Right now, I like to think Jeff is sandbagging but I don't even have enough trust in his pit crew to even think that's what's happening.

08-19-2008, 04:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
Raven Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 387	It ain't Jeff.

08-19-2008, 05:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
24n88fan Guest Posts: n/a	I never thought it was Jeff. His crew is the problem. When you got a 4-time CUP champion criticizing your work, then you know you're not doing your job right. Jeff's crew needs to realize that/

08-21-2008, 11:39 AM	#9 (permalink)
24n88fan Guest Posts: n/a	You know right before the race on Sunday, Jeff said in an interview that he had a "great car". I kinda talked at the TV as if I was talking to Jeff and said "Yeah that's what you always say but give Letarte time to screw it up." Turns out I was in the right to not have so much faith in what Jeff says because he had 2 really bad pit stops and look what happened. Got sent back where he shouldn't have been and tangled with team mate Jimmie Johnson. That should NOT have happened.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)