November 24, 2010
By Chuck Abrams
Was there really any doubt about the outcome at Homestead on Sunday?
After last week, Hamlin looked like a defeated man and he backed it up with a poor qualifying effort at Homestead. That put him back in the pack, which we all know can be dangerous territory.
That proved to be the case when he and Greg Biffle got into each other on lap 24. Hamlin went spinning into the grass and was able to keep the car out of the wall but threw the toe out on his car thus ruining his day very early on. I thought Denny would offer a bit more resistance but he put himself behind the 8-ball with the bad start and that was going to be difficult to overcome.
Kevin Harvick did not fare much better, getting caught for speeding entering pit row. But Harvick was able to rally and finish third while Hamlin struggled to a 14th place finish.
This was all Johnson and the No. 48 team needed. While the No. 48 team struggled with a couple of pit stops, it was not enough to cost them major track position or put them behind a lot of other cars in traffic.
Jimmie Johnson is now a five time champion and five times in a row.
Before you say it, I will. Kevin Harvick would have won the 2010 title under the old system, by nearly 250 points. And people would be complaining that no one wants to watch a sport where the title is decided before the final race. And to be fair, Johnson might not have won five titles if not for the Chase.
But we have the Chase and that is the way it goes. Yes Johnson has definitely benefited form the Chase -- probably more than any other driver. But all the teams know the rules and they all compete the same way over the final ten races. Problem is, no one has really stepped it up to dethrone Johnson. Sure, it was close this year. But we all know close doesn't count except in horseshoes and hand grenades.
Johnson has the very real possibility of winning six or seven titles and what is just as scary is that he could do all seven in a row. Like him or hate him, it is simply downright amazing that he is in that position.
And if you did not catch it, Carl Edwards won his second race in a row after going winless all year. What does that mean for Edwards? Not much. Sure he has "momentum" going into 2011, but no more than anyone else.
Kasey Kahne grabbed the pole for the race and finished 6th. Not too shabby for that young team and they should start to see some better results next year as the rest of the team comes together in the off season.
Aric Almirola had a very strong race in Kahne's old ride. They took a so-so start and raced to the front. That is a tremendous shot in the arm for that young man. Allmendinger took a top five start and maintained it for the finish giving Petty two cars in the top five at the end of the day. While they may not know what their future holds as of Monday, they can be happy that they showed some resiliency in the final race.
There will be lots of changes going into next year. Stay tuned as we ponder, speculate and cover them in the coming weeks.
Have a great, safe holiday.
Let me know your thoughts.
Drive fast, turn left and keep the shiny side up.
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