Sofa Sideline – Two in a Row for Kurt Busch
As more the norm than not, the rain once again played havoc with race events
at Atlanta Motor Speedway; qualifying rained out, the race ending on lap 248 –
but there’s one guy who didn’t really care. Kurt Busch brings home the win for
the second week in a row; he didn’t mind the rain at all!
Tony Stewart with a fourth place finish; can’t see him losing the
championship at this point. Mathematically he wins finishing ninth or better in
the last three races, and as we all know, he’s tough competition at both Phoenix
and Homestead. I am thinking I’ll have bragging rights in a couple of weeks as I
picked Tony pre-season to win. But then, so did a lot of others.
Jimmie Johnson – rookie stripe showed up yesterday when he spun himself out,
not once but twice; all by himself. The first time was on lap 138 where he
managed to stay on the lead lap, but the second time, on lap 230, he went a lap
down to the leaders finishing a dismal 22nd. He dropped to third place behind
Mark Martin in the point race.
Can I make a prediction for next year? Finishing either first or second
(haven’t quite decided yet) in the championship race – Ryan Newman. This guy is
great! He’s a great driver, smart, and now finally loosening up and letting the
humor surface. I think this is the guy to watch in the future; and I see more
than one championship on the horizon.
Rusty Wallace; finished 17th; stands in 5th place in points. The media is
playing the "no wins in 59 races" card again, but frankly, he’s never
been a factor this year. I actually find it hard to believe he’s in 5th since he
never really seems to be out front for very long. He fades and then that’s
pretty much it.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been having a heck of a season as of late; finishing
fifth in this weekend’s race event. He now stands 11th in points, and has a
fairly decent chance of cracking the top ten over the next three events.
Regardless, this team is starting to develop that key component called
consistency. Way to go Junior!
Joe Nemechek finished second. That car always runs good in Atlanta; that crew
definitely has the magic formula for keeping the car up front, and for a while
it looked like Joe was going to be the one to beat. Congratulations on a great
run, and from what we’re hearing, looks like you’ll be in the same ride again
next season.
Well the doctor’s report is in – Sterling’s healing nicely, however, out for
the rest of the season. Wishful thinking on his part had him utter the words
that he might return at Homestead, but we heard the words "no way"
from the team physical fitness trainer last week and had it confirmed just today
by the docs. Sterling is very much the "good ‘ole" stock car racer,
and just wanted to get back in the car and go race. We wish him well, and look
forward to see him "go for the glory" next season.
Rumor has it that Michael "Fatback" McSwain is the leading
candidate for the open crew chief position with Bobby Labonte. I agree that
there is a need for "new blood" with this team; but I’m just not sure
that is the right combination. Time will tell, but we may wind up with a similar
situation as was with Dale Jarrett earlier this year when the new crew chief
didn’t work out; bringing the old one back into the picture.
DJ finished third in Atlanta and has improved steadily since Todd’s return.
Jarrett spent most of the day running around the 12th position, but after the
last set of pit stops, he just came out of no where and suddenly he was third.
How’d that happen, but regardless, a nice run.
Other Notes:
Just three more races to go – the best of the rest, will be this week in
Rockingham. Phoenix is okay, but Homestead is always a sleeper and I can’t see
this year being an exception. That track is the most boring on the circuit; ISC
– take note; do something to make better racing at this track, particularly if
you are going to leave it as the season ender. Yawn….
That’s it for now.