Johnson Wins Sprint All Star Race Record Fourth Time: Kurt Busch Loses in The Pits
Perhaps many fans would have preferred that the winner of the Sprint All Star race be anyone other than Jimmie Johnson. Not that his talent is questioned, nor that of crew chief Chad Knaus and the Hendrick Motorsports team. It’s just that, well, Johnson has won races and championships so often that some folks are a bit bored. Johnson won five championships in a row and while that is an astonishing feat it’s often true that the fans of such a dynasty are only team members and loyal fans. So when Johnson took the checkered flag in the All Star Race, it’s likely a fair share of fans uttered something like, “Oh, no, not again,” and turned off their TVs. They have seen enough of Johnson. They want to see some new winners, like they saw in David Ragan at Talladega Got news for them. Like it or not, they are going to see more of Johnson – and in this season. The California native is a Hall of Fame talent who has the benefit of a strong crew and team. Like all … [Read More...]
Joe Gibbs Team Is Showing Kenseth Championship Form
CONCORD, N.C. - Is this the year in which Joe Gibbs Racing wins its fourth NASCAR Sprint Cup championship? Frankly, it’s kind of early to predict much of anything about any team, but it’s almost certain two of the team’s drivers – Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch – will make the Chase. If the third Gibbs driver, Denny Hamlin, who is in 27th place in points due to injury, wins a couple of races, he’ll nab a “wildcard” position for the Chase. He’s certainly capable of doing just that. Which, overall, means that the odds are in Gibbs’ favor right now. Kenseth is Gibbs’ leader in the point standings. He sits third, 59 points behind No. 1 Jimmie Johnson and 15 behind runnerup Carl Edwards. Johnson seems very comfortable with his 44-point margin over Edwards. He’s just one point shy of the maximum available in a given race. But at the moment, many media outlets rank Kenseth No. 1 in their power rankings – and for good reason, I might add. The latest … [Read More...]
Weeks NASCAR Stories
JUNIOR JOHNSON: Stage Set For Historic Battle For 1992 Championship
With two races remaining in the 1992 season, Junior Johnson felt a sense of comfort that his driver, Bill Elliott, could win the NASCAR Winston Cup championship. Elliott held a 70-point lead over Davey Allison and he was 80 ahead of Alan Kulwicki. The three were the only drivers with a realistic shot at the title. Of course, Johnson realized that things could change in just one race. But it … [Read More...]
Here Are Potential All Star Race Winners: Pick Your Favorite
With the NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star race merely hours away it’s all I can think about this weekend. I get super excited about the prospect of an all-out, ego-driven, no-holds-barred race where points aren’t on the line but bragging rights are. In the past we were treated to the likes of legendary moves like Earnhardt’s misnamed “pass in the grass” or a sparks-fueled finish that sent … [Read More...]
Darlington Victory Caps Very Good Week For Kenseth, Gibbs
It was a very good week for Matt Kenseth. Heck, on second thought, it’s been a very good year. The newest – and to date the most successful – driver at Joe Gibbs Racing overcame dominant teammate Kyle Busch with 13 laps remaining and went on to win the Bojangle’s Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. It was Kenseth’s third victory of the season. He also won at Las Vegas and … [Read More...]
Surprise! Surprise! Johnson A Favorite At Darlington
DARLINGTON, S.C. – Guess which driver is going to be a heavy favorite to win the Bojangle’s Southern 500? Here are a couple of hints: He’s won three times already including last year, when he gave his team owner, Rick Hendrick, his 200th career Sprint Cup victory. He’s currently the points leader by a wide margin and is well on his way to a sixth career championship. The Las … [Read More...]
Appeal Success Makes Kenseth Happy Man At Darlington
Certainly a victory in the Bojangle’s Southern 500 would mean a very good weekend for Matt Kenseth, but he’s had a good weekend already. That’s because, two days ago, the recent severe penalties enforced by NASCAR on his Joe Gibbs Racing team following the race at Kansas were significantly reduced by the sanctioning body’s three-man appeals panel. Speaking to reporters, Kenseth said … [Read More...]
Aric Almirola, No. 43 On a Hot Streak Going Into Tough Ol’ Darlington
DARLINGTON, S.C. - There was a time when a blue No. 43 car was one of the most successful, and popular, in NASCAR. The car was perhaps the most familiar in NASCAR. From the early 1960s through 1992 – when the blue paint scheme was trimmed in red – every stock car racing fan recognized the car immediately. And, I might add, its driver as well. Richard Petty, a seven-time champion, has … [Read More...]
