[LSC9901]

Gas 'n Go: Dale Jr.& Stewart to contend in '07

Jeff Hammond / FOX Sports
Posted: 3 hours ago.


Bear from Long Beach, Calif.: If Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn't win the Chase this year, when do you think he'll do it?


Jeff Hammond: In this year's Chase for the Nextel Cup, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has shown resiliency. He wants to win this year's title, but no matter what happens at Homestead, he's told everybody that the No. 8 team will be a title contender if they continue working hard during the off-season.
Dale Jr. is not going to be somebody that just makes the Chase; he's going to be somebody that can win the championship. He has stepped up and is now competing at a championship level.
If Teresa Earnhardt and the rest of the folks at Dale Earnhardt Inc. work hard during the off-season to keep up with Joe Gibbs Racing and the rest of the top teams, their program can get better. If DEI and the No. 8 team can stay focused, Dale Earnhardt Jr. should be excited for 2007

Chase is great as is

Larry from Murphysboro, Ill.: Since Tony Stewart is making a mockery out of the Chase this year, do you think there will be any major changes in the points system next season? What do you think about the idea of opening the point window to 500 behind the leader?Jeff Hammond: Why is it a mockery? As Stewart himself has said, he and the No. 20 team didn't do their homework and perform when it counted. If you try to look at it any differently, you're dead wrong. This has been a good Chase, but at the same time, Stewart hasn't quit. He's shown his mettle and just what kind of a champion he is. He and his team could have just said, "To heck with this year, let's go fishing. Let's go dirt-track racing, which got me in this mess. Why don't I just go run the National Sprint Tour toward the end of the year and have some fun?" But they haven't. They have tried to elevate their program for two reasons:

1. Show everybody that they could have won the title, and their competitors better be glad Stewart didn't get in.
2. As that team performs well, it provides information for Denny Hamlin and the No. 11 team. Keeping the rookie in the title hunt gives Hamlin an opportunity to totally rock this world.

The Chase is solid, but NASCAR has discussed making it better. Should the winner get more points? Should we open up the window to 500? I don't agree with opening the window. If NASCAR opens it up that far, why not open it up to everybody and go right back to where we started. Why don't we wipe the slate clean after the 26th race and start all 43 guys at zero? I'm not totally opposed to a tailor-made point system for the top 10 if it's going to make the Chase closer. With two races to go, five teams were still realistically in contention. I just don't know what more can be done.

Fans wonder how a driver can win all these races and not be able to win the championship, but since 1990, Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon are the only drivers that have won the most races and gone on to win the championship. The average points finish for a driver who wins the most races is third. When teams run hard to win races, they put themselves and their equipment too close to the edge too often. It hurts consistency. When that hard pace catches up with you, you either have accidents or mechanical failures.
It would be like watching a football team that only throws the deep ball and forgets that they've got to run the ball and play defense. If somebody catches those Hail Mary passes every time, and nobody can knock them down, that's great. But if you try to win every race when you don't have the car to win, you're going to run into the wall or over-abuse the equipment. You've got to be smart. You've got to know how to evaluate, not only your competition, but your equipment and the day you're going to have. You can't win every race. Tony Stewart can't do it. Jeff Gordon can't do it. Dale Jr. can't do it. Go down the list, and no one can do it. Not even Kasey Kahne, as good a year as he's had.

[Mike24]

Dale Jr may contend, but he does not have the determination to win it. Look at the greats, Sr, Gordon, Petty, etc, why did they win championships? Determination to do it. Jr dosen't have the determination to do it, and he will need determination if he wants to win the championship. So they can go on how Jr is going to win it next year, but he will not win it. Next year, the major contenders for the championship when we go to Homestead will be Jeff, Tony, and Jr will have a chance at the championship, but then again I don't see Jr winning it.

[lilsexy08]

I believe Dale Jr and Tony Stewart will definatley make the chase next year a possibly either one could take the title next year! I don't agree with Toyota being in Nascar, but thats not my decision-personal opinion. So many changes with pit crew chiefs and drivers, I will say this. It will be one interesting year, especially with the Car of Tommorow as well. Hopefully tv coverage will improve. Especially some of the drivers that get no interviews-lesser knowns and not a big budget. Last thing better commericals and not alot of them! LOL! That was alot of typing, quick someone get me a Budlight! LOL! Just messin!

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Gas 'n Go: Dale Jr.& Stewart to contend in '07

Jeff Hammond / FOX Sports
Posted: 3 hours ago.


Bear from Long Beach, Calif.: If Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn't win the Chase this year, when do you think he'll do it?
===============================================
good a year as he's had.

About what I would expect from a "journalist" of Hammond's caliber.

He throws in that since 1990 only two drivers have won both the most races AND the CUP. This thinking underscores NASCAR immense value placed on "consistancy," which of course makes my point that NASCAR needs to change their point system and make finishing in the top three much more important. As it stands now a driver COULD run the entire season, never win a race nor lead a lap but finish fifth each time and probably win the CUP. Mark Martin showed us this season that this eventuality was entirely within the realm of possibility.

I still go with Junior Johnson's philosphy, "I always figgered that if I won, the championship'd take care of itself."

[clutch]

[quote=Bob Tanner;64948] As it stands now a driver COULD run the entire season, never win a race nor lead a lap but finish fifth each time and probably win the CUP. Mark Martin showed us this season that this eventuality was entirely within the realm of possibility.
[quote]

Bob, while the driver and many fans like you may want the win at all costs; can you see that some organizations and their major sponsors may be happy to lose a few battles, but ultimately still win the war

Clearly with the current format consistency is the way to go.....being reckless for the win wont help acheive the Goal

[3wide]

Originally Posted by Mike24

Dale Jr may contend, but he does not have the determination to win it. Look at the greats, Sr, Gordon, Petty, etc, why did they win championships? Determination to do it. Jr dosen't have the determination to do it, and he will need determination if he wants to win the championship. So they can go on how Jr is going to win it next year, but he will not win it. Next year, the major contenders for the championship when we go to Homestead will be Jeff, Tony, and Jr will have a chance at the championship, but then again I don't see Jr winning it.

Just curious, why do you think he's not determined?

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by clutch

Bob, while the driver and many fans like you may want the win at all costs; can you see that some organizations and their major sponsors may be happy to lose a few battles, but ultimately still win the war

Clearly with the current format consistency is the way to go.....being reckless for the win wont help acheive the Goal

Yep. It is very plain that evrything you say above is 100% correct.

I can speak ONLY for myself, but in doing so I underline the fact that I DO NOT watch NASCAR, or any other form of automobile racing, to see a championship determined. I watch to be entertained by watching drivers race to win. It's just that simple. Watching an extremely talented driver like Jimmy Johnson, who in the last two races was content to finish second because of "The Big Picture," is akin to taking your sister to a Mardi Gras Ball; you're there but there just isn't any action. (Unless the above example is the kind of guy to frequents his family reunions for future marriage partners, but that's another complete story. <G>)

I always go back to the Junior Johnson quote I've used before, "I always figgered that if I won the race, the championship'd take care of itself." THAT type of thinking is what got NASCAR to its present state, NOT this current "Lose the battle but win the war,","Big Picture" racing, IMNSVHO.

However, you obviously deeply believe in what you say above and if you can live with that I can respect and appreciate those feelings. Two intelligent people can always agree to disagree and that's what makes a horse race. (which is ironic because horses and greyhounds actually race to win and have no thoughts of "The Big Picture")

[Mike24]

Originally Posted by 3wide

Just curious, why do you think he's not determined?

The interviews tell the tale....

[Quality88]

I still think they should be fined for sandbaggin. Someone needs to tell the driver's "TAKE OFF YOUR PINK PANTIES AND RACE YOU BUNCH OF CANDYA$$ES"

[BringBackWilkesboro]

I agree as usual Bob and Q. And I say that unless it is going back to the old way, dont change the points. Change is not always bad, but the direction the sport is going, we need to stop changing things and race.

[A pirate]

I agree that you should be racing for the win, not for second. However, unless they add a significant point increase for the winner nothing will change. Add 50 points to the winner and we'll see a lot more "going for the win at all costs" races. That will lead to more action on the track and presumably off the track as well.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by A pirate

I agree that you should be racing for the win, not for second. However, unless they add a significant point increase for the winner nothing will change. Add 50 points to the winner and we'll see a lot more "going for the win at all costs" races. That will lead to more action on the track and presumably off the track as well.

Hmmm... I guess thats one change I wouldnt mind. Good point.

[clutch]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

However, you obviously deeply believe in what you say above and if you can live with that I can respect and appreciate those feelings. Two intelligent people can always agree to disagree and that's what makes a horse race. (which is ironic because horses and greyhounds actually race to win and have no thoughts of "The Big Picture")

....if I can live with that..???

Well its actually more a case of acknowledging the realities of Nascar TODAY

Your Johnsons, Gordons, Earnhardts and Stewarts may RACE the cars, but its the sponsors who DRIVE them

.......some, of you I think may need a reality check

[clutch]

Well I just got off work...its 11:45pm sunday night here and you guys will probably be getting up soon, so before you turn on your computers and read this forum I better add that I hope I havent offended Bob , or any one else.
I guess what I want to say is lets stop reminiscing about the "Glory Days" of Nascar and just appreciate what we have now. While they may tweak and fine tune the chase a little, I don't think it'll be going away anytime soon.

As for Tony Stewart making a mockery of the chase.........

.....he had 26 freakin races to get in the top ten. .....and couldnt do it.
And while I've heard many complain about that; to Tony's credit I havent heard a bad word out of his mouth about it

Now I need some beauty sleep before I arise to ....Gentlemen Start your Engines

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by clutch

Well I just got off work...its 11:45pm sunday night here and you guys will probably be getting up soon, so before you turn on your computers and read this forum I better add that I hope I havent offended Bob , or any one else.

I would think your pretty safe there. Most of us are pretty thick skinned and we've heard all the comments at least once.

Originally Posted by clutch

I guess what I want to say is lets stop reminiscing about the "Glory Days" of Nascar and just appreciate what we have now. While they may tweak and fine tune the chase a little, I don't think it'll be going away anytime soon.

I think you have to allow us to recall and wish for the "Glory Days." That was when racing (for us old foggies) was at its best. Most of us can and do accept racing for what it is today but we'd just like to see it like it was when (in our minds) it was about winning the race. Just as your Grandparents might say, "it was a better time and place way back then."

Originally Posted by clutch

As for Tony Stewart making a mockery of the chase.........

.....he had 26 freakin races to get in the top ten. .....and couldnt do it.
And while I've heard many complain about that; to Tony's credit I havent heard a bad word out of his mouth about it [/qoute]

You are correct about getting into the top 10, but in my opinion what it does show is that the current chase points system is a farce. If you want 10 teams to run for the championship then let them on the track alone. If you are inviting all 43 teams to race then let them all race for the big trophy. When the world Seies or the SuperBowl are played there are no other teams involved. If you can't make it to the big game then you are out. Real simple .... at least in my mind. I don't have a big issue with a playoff scenerio, but finish the regular season first. Now that is a mockery !!

Now I need some beauty sleep before I arise to ....Gentlemen Start your Engines