October 14, 2009
By Chuck Abrams
California was not as great a race as the last several Chase races but it was not as boring as it usually is. But then again, that is not saying a lot. If not for the last rash of cautions, it might have been even more boring.
The outcome of the race was that Jimmie Johnson is now in the lead again, just 12 points in front of Mark Martin. And while Johnson is going for an unprecedented four titles in a row, it is not good for NASCAR in my humble opinion.
I really don’t have any issues with Johnson or the 48 team. They deserve what they get because they work hard to understand the cars, Johnson and Knaus communicate extremely well and Knaus gets what he needs from the team. And I think Knaus is a stone-cold genius.
But let’s look at what is happening. Now that Johnson is in the lead, it will take a momentum busting DNF for him to lose right now. Jeff Gordon said at California he felt second-class even though they ran a strong second. That says volumes about the 48 team’s chances to win it all again this year.
The tracks in the Chase certainly favor Johnson’s driving style – if he even has any weaknesses. So all he has to do is stay out of trouble and the big shiny trophy is all his.
As NASCAR tries to draw more viewers at this time of year, the last thing they need is another run away title run by Johnson. I am not saying it is over and no one has a shot because mathematically, there are several drivers who can close and keep within reach -- and who are not slouches as drivers themselves.
But race fans will not be tuning in to watch another Johnson victory on his way to another Chase title while playoff baseball and the NFL is going on.
Remember the old saying “Anyone but Earnhardt?” Well, today’s fans are saying “Anyone but Johnson”. NASCAR needs Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart or Juan Pablo Montoya to win this year to get people to tune in. Most importantly they need Martin to look like he can steal this from Johnson.
Martin is a long-time fan favorite and has his best chance in years to win a title. It is his great misfortune to be up against Johnson in his prime. One could argue that a close title race is what really matters to fans. Well, yes and no. It depends on whom it is close between. Between Gordon and Martin? Yes. Montoya and Martin? Yes. Johnson and anyone else? Not so much.
Fans have been just waiting to see if Johnson would be able to get into the points lead and he has. I think most fans HOPE Martin will stay close and make a race of it, but those same fans also know that Johnson is a machine and difficult to beat on this track schedule that makes up the Chase.
Jeff Gordon has finished second two weeks in a row. Montoya has been in the top 5 in every Chase race. Mark Martin’s average finish is 3.5. But the lead belongs to Jimmie Johnson. What does a driver have to do?
What does a fan have to do?
Grab a beer, pass the nuts and surf the NFL. Tune in the race with 50 to go to see who is in the lead. And hope it is not Jimmie Johnson.
That’s all for now. Let me know your thoughts.
Drive fast, turn left and keep the shiny side up.
The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.
Feel free to send Chuck your thoughts on this and other race topics at 
