[Racer Duck]

This week, I played hooky and didn't see nor listen to the race. In fact, as I write this I don't even know who won, or anything about the race except it was at Atlanta this afternoon. And thus, this thread is a clean slate, ready for YOU, my fellow GoTeamsGo NASCAR fans, to offer up your observations on this 7th race of the 2007 Chase.

Don't be bashful, I'm counting on YOU to give me a taste of what I missed!

[PettyBlue]

Well,to sum it up,would you belive HMS won a race this year?lol.

[jks812]

I channel surfed between it and the games. Seems like every time I put it on the race they were showing Johnson, Gordon and Jr, and they weren't even leading at the time. I only watched the last 20 laps without changing. What in the world happened to Jr's tire? For once his engine held up and he loses a tire.
I was watching when Kyle came into the pits running up front and the jackman messed up. Maybe they decided Hendrick and not Kyle paid their salary. After all, wouldn't look to good if the lame duck of the team won a race.

[oncea3fan]

I know ............secents when do you pit with 7 togo while leading a take four tires, while your "team mate" takes on 2 and the lead(of pitted cars)
this had to be a take him out call, even with out the screw up it still would have put him out of contention.


funny how jeff caught a debis caution around 100 togo, just when he was falling in danger of going a lap down ???????????

I only caught the last hundred on the radio, sounded real racey with about 50 togo.

[Phils20]

I only got to hear it on the radio while at work. Although I'm sure many don't care, I can't believe another good run by the 43 car is ruined by fate. A blown tire. DAMN!!!!

[Racer Duck]

ok, I'm curious.

why would anyone pit with 7 to go when they're leading? was it a caution, low fuel or what?

[oncea3fan]

pitting for fuel a 2 tires would be fine, in and out, but to sit and wait on 4 is crazy because you know half the field is taking 2 or gas only.

maybe they need himto finish behind the incoming driver to make it look like it was all about money

[SpaceCadet]

Now that I've watched the taped version, allowing me to be less frustrated by the crappy coverage, here's a few observations.

Knaus had planned for Johnson to take four tires as well as Busch. When he saw Busch's crew screw up he called an audible and put on only two tires. Obviously a move that worked for them.

The lucky break of the day went to JJ, not JG. Had Jr. not blown a tire on the green/white checkered, I'm betting Carl or Jr., both very hungry, would have put JJ into the nearest wall without blinking an eye if they possibly could have.

What is up with Stewart's crew? Is Zippy losing his edge? They really need to step it up.

What a lousy ending for Truex. I think we've only just begun to see what he can do and I look forward to watching him.

Jr. hit the commitment cone. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume it's because he has a great deal going on and his concentration is wavering. But if he ever wants to be a champion, these little mistakes cannot happen. He may not make excuses when they happen, but these little mistakes still keep happening. If he wants to prove himself, he needs to focus.

JG had a cruddy car all day, right up until the last adjustment they made. Instead of pushing the car too hard and chancing not finishing, he just did what he could with it and was patient. Not too happy, but patient. He didn't have enough time to get all the way to the front, but again, I think he made the best of a lousy situation.

Two front tires in a row blowing up on Juablo tells me Wingo (I think it's Wingo) and the crew missed something rubbing up there.

All cheating and conspiracy theories aside, I believe this year's champion will come down to the better crew chief or the better driver. They're not on the same team. Knaus is the better crew chief. He seems to be able to set up Johnson's car better from the get go or get it dialed in sooner than Letarte. Experience wins that category. Gordon is the better driver. I don't think he will hesitate to do exactly what it takes to win if push comes to shove. I think JJ may hesitate for one second, and he will lose because of it. JG, in my opinion, can handle a poor car better than JJ and is quicker to get down and dirty without an ounce of guilt. JG is more calculating, more experienced and has less conscience. I also think he wants it just a hair more. JG wins the driver category. So after watching Atlanta, I give the edge to Johnson, though it pains me to say that. Knaus will supply a better car, and Gordon won't have the opportunity to apply the chrome horn in the end.

[Racer Duck]

good job, SC. worthy of praise in any league.

[clutch]

The 5 was robbed by his own organization and worse......his own team!

I'm not usually one for conspiracy theories but this smacks of B.S.

I'm sure Hendrick has rewarded the 5 jackman handsomely

[Racer Duck]

didn't see it anywhere, so here it is:

The Chase as of Atlanta:

1. -- Jeff Gordon 6201
2. -- Jimmy Johnson -9
3. -- Clint Boyer - 111
4. +1 Carl Edwards -261
5. -1 Tony Stewart -322
6. -- Kyle Busch -328
7. -- Kevin Harvick -392
8. +1 Jeff Burton -400
9. +1 Kurt Busch -419
10. -2 Denny Hamlin -424
11. +1 Matt Kenseth -448
12. -1 Martin Truex, Jr. -513

Gordo continues to run just good enough .. JJ's gotta be holding his breath 'waiting for Gordo to slip, meanwhile Knaus is weaving his web hoping to lure Gordo into it (but I don't think it'll happen...) Clint has "show" sewed up as long as he keeps on keepin' on. Carl's making a run, but too late and Tony is out of it .. way out. in fact look for Kyle to pass Tony and nail down the last top 5 spot. Jeff #2 and Shrub Sr. will probably slip past Happy before it's all over. and look for Matt to do his last minute magic and end up 7th or 8th or 9th (I still don't know how he does it!)

the top 5 Chasers by last 5 yr results at Texas are: Hamlin, Kenseth, Gordo, Johnson and Truex, Jr. this spring Gordo sat on the pole and finished 4th while JJ started right behind him in 3rd but his day went down hill from there, finishing 38th. I expect him to get a better finish this week, but now that Gordo's got Texas figured out...the fat lady's humming is wafting o'er the fields...

[kcoruol]

Does Jr's step mom Terresa have a remote kill switch to his engine?

Denny thanks for Jimmie Johnson's win!

I'm still pissed at you though for letting your car run out of gas which caused Martin Truex to crash!

Jimmie "The Predator" Johnson, yor da Maaann!!

[NASCAR Gnome]

Originally Posted by kcoruol

Does Jr's step mom Terresa have a remote kill switch to his engine?

Denny thanks for Jimmie Johnson's win!

I'm still pissed at you though for letting your car run out of gas which caused Martin Truex to crash!

Jimmie "The Predator" Johnson, yor da Maaann!!

No. It's to BLOW UP the left rear wheel!

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by kcoruol

I'm still pissed at you though for letting your car run out of gas which caused Martin Truex to crash!

Denny actually had water in his gas causin the problems.

[kcoruol]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Denny actually had water in his gas causin the problems.

Does anybody know what the story is? No gas or water in the gas?