| Sep 3, 07 at 12:38 pm |
Jimmie Johnson is in the Driver's Seat for the Chase! - SCI September 3rd Issue |
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Well this is it folks! The focus will be on two drivers as the NASCAR Nextel Cup teams head to Richmond International Raceway for next week's Chevy Rock & Roll 400. The action is sure to be loud as Bubble Boy (played by Dale Earnhardt Jr) tales on Happy Kevin Harvick for the coveted 12th and final qualifying position for the Chase for the Championship.
Of the two, Dale Earnhardt Jr currently has had the most luck at Richmond. In 16 starts there, Earnhardt has an average finish of 10th. In 13 starts, Kevin Harvick has posted an average finish of 12th.
Next Week's Schedule:
(all times EST)
Nextel Cup at Richmond International Raceway - ESPN
09/07/07 - 11:15am Chevy Rock & Roll 400 Practice
09/07/07 - 06:10pm Chevy Rock & Roll 400 Qualifying
09/08/07 - 05:00pm Chevy Rock & Roll 400
Busch Series at Richmond International Raceway - ESPN2
09/07/07 - 10:10am Emerson Radio 250 Practice
09/07/07 - 04:05pm Emerson Radio 250 Qualifying
09/07/07 - 08:00pm Emerson Radio 250
Craftsman Truck Series off until September 15th at New Hampshire International Speedway
See complete 2007 NASCAR Schedule 
By capturing his fifth win of the year last night in the Sharp Aquos 500 at California Speedway, Jimmie Johnson may very well have locked himself into the top seed for the Chase for the Championship.
In an attempt this year to emphasize wins, NASCAR changed the way drivers were initially seeded at the start of the Chase. In previous years, the seedings were based solely on points standings. This year, however, the drivers are seeded based on total number of wins, and in the event of a tie, then on points. This new change puts Jimmie Johnson, not the current points leader Jeff Gordon, in the number one seed for the Chase.
However, don't discount Jeff Gordon just yet. There will be lots of pressure for the #24 team to secure their fifth win of the year at Richmond. In 28 starts at Richmond, Gordon has won twice and has an average finish of 16th. The only position Gordon will be racing for is first. Shop for NASCAR merchandise
If one were to discount the five DNF's (four due to engine failure) on his record this year, Dale Earnhardt Jr has had a pretty spectacular season. His average finish would be 11th and he would be sitting comfortably within in the top ten.
However, in the ultra competitive world of NASCAR, five DNF's will doom most anyone's season. The average finish of Earnhardt's over those five races is 37th. Combine 5-37th place finishes with 19-11th place finishes and you'll wind up right where Jr is, 128 points out of 12th position.
Earnhardt fans don't give up yet, however. There is a glimmer of hope heading into next week. The man in 12th position, Kevin Harvick, has been on a backwards slide over the past 4 races. If Harvick were to have a DNF next week and if Earnhardt were to finish in the top ten, Jr may just sneak in to the Chase for the Championship. Shop NASCAR merchandise
Sweltering heat and low tire pressures are about the only story to note in yesterday's Sharp Aquos at California Speedway. How does that sound for a headline? I'm all for growing NASCAR into the premier sport in the country (which means moving to tracks that cater to larger markets), however, I miss the good 'ole action packed Southern 500 that occurred on Labor Weekend at Darlington Raceway for decades.
Any race at Darlington produces better headlines than "Sweltering head and low tire pressures". Instead, fans are stuck with another boring and hot race at California Speedway. Oh well, back to the story.
NASCAR drivers had to endure extreme temperatures in yesterday's Sharp Aquos 500. The cockpit temperature recordings stayed in the 3-digit range the entire evening taxing even the most conditioned drivers. Tire pressures also played a critical role. To gain more grip on the extra slippery hot asphalt, teams would lower the left front tire pressures at the risk of causing a blow-out. Just ask drivers like Robby Gordon and Reed Sorenson. Both suffered late race blow-outs that cost them a chance at a respectable finish.
Other drivers to note:
Series leader, Jeff Gordon, won't hold the lead for much longer if he doesn't win next week. The four time champion finished 22nd, and did not pick up his much needed 5th victory of the year..
Matt Kenseth bounced back after a bad showing in Bristol. The "Silent Assassin" Kenseth snuck in a 7th place finish and is locked into the Chase.
Denny Hamlin followed up his first DNF ever in the Nextel Cup series last week at Bristol with a 19th place finish in California. Not the best finish. However, Hamlin is just killing time until the Chase starts. He has nothing left to gain.
Dale Earnhardt Jr did all he could to help his team earn a spot in the Chase. Jr finished in 5th place. The only problem is, his bubble-buddies also had outstanding finishes. Earnhardt is still in 13th and over 150 points out of 12th. See complete 2007 NASCAR Schedule
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