SoCal native Jimmy Johnson hung on to beat a hard charging Carl Edwards to win at Fontana.
Once again the Nextel Cup action was dominated by one team. Johnson was never truly tested in a race that started with temperatures well over 100 degrees and track temps in the 130 degree range. Carl Edwards did make a run at Johnson beginning with about 15 laps to go but was unable to catch the 5 time winner.
In a week where the main topic was the heat and silly season speculation, the race seemed to be an after thought. Dale Earnhardt Jr. ran a respectable fifth but did little to gain on the last Chase spot.
Ricky Rudd was involved in a mid race accident that resulted in his suffering a separated shoulder. Could this be the beginning of an early retirement for Rudd? If Rudd can't continue to run the #88, the dominos could begin to fall early, with JJ Yeley or Kenny Wallace moving into the RYR ride. Both drivers have been rumored to be in contention for it. Yeley is also the top prospect for a seat at Richard Childress Racing in a 4th car.
After Richmond next week, expect to see a lot of 2008 start coming into focus.
The Buzz ON PIT ROW is:
Even with the record heat at Cali, no drivers had to be relieved from their cars during the race. Is it because today's drivers are better athletes than those "from back in the day"?
The Fast Lap this week asks:
1) Will Joe Gibbs Racing switching to Toyotas for 2008 affect their results in the 2007 Chase?
2) If Goodyear sets a minimum tire pressure should NASCAR actively enforce its use?
3) Should there be any concern over the ownership of teams moving away from traditional racing roots?
4) Will the timing of the final Junior announcements vary whether he makes The Chase or not?
Let us know how you feel about these questions, or anything else that happened during the HOT week in SoCal. If we like your comments, whether we agree or not, we may use them on the air during Tuesday's ON PIT ROW. Leave us a comment on the blog or call the show--toll free at 1-877-502-8255 between 5-7pm edt on Tuesdays.
Photo:BethAnne Heisler - ON PIT ROW
1 -yes they might make it but it will be more of a struggle..TRD needs to bring their motor program up to snuff ..JGR will be a help there...
2-they did at Lowes a few years ago during levigate..so why not here...
3-Most definitely..Ginn is a perfect example of what can happen..this trend is not a good thing....I will restrain myself from leaping on to the soapbox here....
4-Nope....
You can't compare athletes from different eras.. to many variables.......
Posted by: robert bourne | September 03, 2007 at 02:17 PM
The Buzz: Yes they are better athletes (for the most part), but what is more important is that we also have better knowledge on how the body works, so drivers 'hydrate' before the race (ever hear about that in the 60's?) and know what kinds of food to eat prior to the race that will give them the energy they need for any particular racing environment.
1) It won't make them any worse that is for sure, but I don't see a Toyota winning the Championship next year either. You've got to learn how to walk before you can run, and right now Toyota is still crawling - they'll be walking pretty good next year, but I don't think they'll be at a full sprint by the end of the season - maybe a light jog.
2) Yes! If they bought out safer barriers and the CoT to protect drivers then they should also enforce tire pressures. The tires are the only thing in contact with the track and if they don't work properly then you are crashing. You can have all of the best equipment in and on the car (performance, saftety or otherwise) and it don't mean poop if the tires fail.
3)I don't think so, but it might change some of the time lines for any further announcements/plans by DEI for the 8 car - DEI maybe even put other drivers in the 8 car if Dale doesn't get into the Chase to get a head start on 2008.
Posted by: 4ever3 | September 03, 2007 at 11:38 PM
oops skipped one,
Car ownership: yes there should be, not for tradition but for stability in the sport. There should be certain guidelines outlining a process for which people can purchase a team, or part of a team. Most professional sport organizations (ie NFL, NHL) have guidelines in place to protect the league from poor ownership (ie. bankrupcy, etc.)and NASCAR should be no different. This probably would have stopped a whole lot of team owners from comming in, dropping a ton of cash - milking the system in the process - and then close up shop leaving drivers, employees, and fans hanging. This hurts the sport any way you look at it.
Good questions this week.
Posted by: 4ever3 | September 03, 2007 at 11:46 PM
Athletes probably are better, but there is also better knowledge and technology about heat exhaustion, carbon monoxide poisoning and dehydration.
1. I don't think the switch hurts in 2007. At this point I would think teams won't see significant improvements or regressions Gibbs has been near the top this year and will stay there through the Chase.
2. Eh, I don't know.
3. There should always be concern, but it's not a franchise situation. It's not like Joe Gibbs was a racing guy prior to entering NASCAR. Plus, if NASCAR is serious about diversity then they have to look beyond tradition.
4. Yes, they will say 2-time Chase driver in the press release.
Posted by: Mike | September 04, 2007 at 03:59 PM