Jimmie Johnson (-120) over Mark Martin ???

[Big_Cheese]

This one could be a trap, anyone like it ???? Any Thoughts on Mark Martins Overratedness ????

[The General]

I don't think over-rated is an option with Mark Martin when given the superb equipment to perform.

8 races to go. Anyone who likes racing must root for Mark to win this championship.

Top 10 Standings
As of 10/01/09
Rank Driver Points Behind
1 M. Martin 5400
2 J. Johnson 5390 10
3 J. Montoya 5335 65
4 Ku. Busch 5325 75
5 T. Stewart 5294 106
6 D. Hamlin 5292 108
7 R. Newman 5290 110
8 J. Gordon 5278 122
9 G. Biffle 5262 138
10 B. Vickers 5249 151

[BadNina]

I know Mr. Nina is. But it looks like someone is gonna have to pull JJ's and Chad's fingers off that trophy. Dang. They have it going on.

I really did miss you last weekend without your race analysis.

[The General]

That 48 team is tremendous. Can they go on a Bad streak this time of year? Past history says no.

[onlooker]

I think Old Man Martin is the most hungry for the championship this year.

[Wrigley]

Playing Martin just because I want the old man to do it

[The General]

Hard to think that it will not be 1,2 or 3 in current points. Johnson has had his although records are to be broken, Mark Martin who can't pull for him? Juan would be ok with me also.

[BadNina]

I would also love to see Tony be a strong contender, just cause I love me some Tony.

[The General]

Tony is from my hometown Nina and he was a bad boy growing up. Do you like bad boys, Nina?

[onlooker]

Old Man Martin wins the pole for Kansas.

[The General]

Old Man Martin wins the pole for Kansas.

Good to hear from you, onlòóker. I suspect Martin will do well today minus an accident or mechanical problem.

Hope you are doing ok.

[20Four7]

I would also love to see Tony be a strong contender, just cause I love me some Tony.

I love me some Nina too, but I ain't getting any..... Martin to win the championship because he's the best driver never to win one. If he wins I think I take down the pool.

[The General]

1--Mark Martin 5551 Leader

2--Jimmie Johnson 5533 -18

3--Juan Montoya 5500 -51

4--Tony Stewart 5484 -67

Headed out to Southern Cal next week.

[The General]

JJ takes a 12 point lead over Mark and 58 over Juan.

[face5674]

jimmy is gonna take the cup once again hes gonna catch up to gordon with them titles if he keeps it up

[BadNina]

Tony is from my hometown Nina and he was a bad boy growing up. Do you like bad boys, Nina?

Uh.....yes.


But I love me some 24 too although he doesn't talk to me any more. *sighs*


Seriously, I think someone will have to pry Jimmy and Chad's cold, dead fingers off that trophy.

[The General]

Interesting scenario with Richard Petty and the 43 car has developed because of a DUI charge Thursday on AJ Allmendinger.

over the course of his career Petty kept the family business away from relationships with beer, wine and liquor companies. It came at the request of his mother, who asked him to never allow any form of alcohol to be represented on his race cars.

He honored that promise and there were no alcohol-related sponsorships, and no participation in NASCAR’s second-tier series when it was sponsored by Anheuser-Busch. His cars didn't race in the exhibition Budweiser Shootout that kicks off each season, nor would they have anything to do with the Bud Pole Award.

And when his Petty Enterprises merged in January with Gillett-Evernham Racing, Petty said the Budweiser sponsorship on Kahne’s car would stay right there – and not touch any of the teams Petty was bringing into the deal.

All of this is why Petty now faces a huge moral dilemma: AJ Allmendinger was arrested in North Carolina early Thursday morning and charged with drunken driving.

Now it’s up to The King to decide if Allmendinger is still worthy of the keys to the No. 43, that this transgression is no big deal. It comes with the risk of Petty being a wee bit hypocritical if he ultimately lets this slide, but it’s a decision he must make.

Yes, Petty is mostly a figurehead with this new race team, which has spent much of this season allowing co-owner George Gillett Jr. and his sons to slap Band-Aids on all of its problems. But this decision – the future of the No. 43 – is one Petty has to handle himself.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news;_ylt=Aojp8RPZEvyoTKbzlw0WWUjov7YF?slug=jf-petty103009&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[The General]

Current standings headed to Talladega Sunday afternoon.

.................Points.......... Season Earnings $$$

1 - Jimmie Johnson Leader $6,573,130
2 - Mark Martin 118 $4,775,403
3 - Jeff Gordon 150 $5,927,081
4 - Tony Stewart 192 $6,384,979

[BadNina]

The weather here is just fun. We are currently having some storms with rain going into tomorrow. Should start clearing up tomorrow afternoon and be lovely fall weather by Sunday.


And now to the sports desk with Loubert!!!!!

[soxwin1917]

The weather here is just fun. We are currently having some storms with rain going into tomorrow. Should start clearing up tomorrow afternoon and be lovely fall weather by Sunday. And now to the sports desk with Loubert!!!!!

Glad to hear

[BadNina]

By 5 pm the sun was actually out. Rain should be gone for now and shouldn't bother the race.

[The General]

Jimmie Johnson crashed on lap 3 today to tighten up the standings giving some hope to Mark Martin, esp. I don't foresee Jimmie losing this title, but if he does I am rooting on Mark. 2 races to go Phoenix and Homestead.


Championship contenders
Jimmie Johnson
Points: 6,297
Behind first: --
Last race: 38th at Texas
Last three at Phoenix: 1st, 1st, 4th
Avg. finish at Phoenix: 5.4 (12 starts)
Mark Martin
Points: 6,224
Behind first: -73
Last race: Fourth at Texas
Last three at Phoenix: 5th, 14th, 1st
Avg. finish at Phoenix: 9.0 (25 starts)
Jeff Gordon
Points: 6,185
Behind first: -112
Last race: 13th at Texas
Last three at Phoenix: 13th, 41st, 25th
Avg. finish at Phoenix: 10.9 (21 starts)

[The General]

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Jimmie Johnson crashed on the third lap of the NASCAR race at Texas, where he was trying to move closer to an unprecedented fourth consecutive Sprint Cup season championship.

Johnson came into the race with a 184-point lead over teammate Mark Martin and 192 over Gordon, the pole sitter, though he could not have clinched Sunday even with a victory. There are two races left after Texas.

Onto Phoenix and Homestead to end the season...

Rank - Driver - Points Behind

1 Jimmie Johnson 6297
2 Mark Martin 6224 73
3 Jeff Gordon 6185 112
4 Kurt Busch 6126 171
5 Tony Stewart 6119 178

http://www.cbssports.com/autoracing/series/CUP

[BobHarvey]

I know this is off topic but which will happen first? Dale Jr. wins a race or Dale Jr. retires.

[The General]

Earnhardt Jr has some issues, whether it's boredom, mental or alcohol I dunno, but he just don't act right. I have faith he will get some wins though as long as he drives for Hendrick. Pathetic though that the top 3 48, 5 and 24 are up there and the 88 of the same team is so far back. There is a definite problem somewhere.

[BobHarvey]

I'd love to know the answer. I started watching Nascar because of Jr. but the last two years have been dreadful. Are you hearing that it's something "other than" mechanical or driving skill?

[MichaelC]

I know this is off topic but which will happen first? Dale Jr. wins a race or Dale Jr. retires.

He wins within the next 6 races....That means by first break next year he takes one down...(and dosen't include the shootout)

[bigdaddyjames]

jimmie johnson will make this 4 in a row i think ......