Posted by GEORGE October 13, 2009 4:20:27 PM
Jimmie Johnson's win at Fontana could be the statement that Johnson fans have been waiting for. Johnson dominated the race in spite of bad pit stops which cost him 8 to 10 positions on the track. No one could pass him, and Johnson drove like he wants his fourth NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship in a row. Johnson now leads the points standings by 12 points over Mark Martin.
The Chase heads for Lowe's Motor Speedway this week, which could just as well be named Jimmie Johnson Speedway. With few exceptions, Johnson has owned the track in Charlotte, North Carolina, and there's a good possibility that he will increase his points lead there on Saturday night.
Speeding on pit road cost Tony Stewart a lap at California, and sent him back to 32nd-place. Staying on the track during the next caution put Tony back on the lead lap, and another quick caution allowed him to refuel and change tires. Then it was all up to Tony, and he drove his car to a fifth-place finish.
Mark Martin continues to show that age means nothing in NASCAR racing, as long as you have the right equipment, the right team, and the desire to win.
Juan Pablo Montoya continues to get my attention. He's the only driver this year to finish in the top five in the first four Chase races, and if Jimmie Johnson would not have had his "super car" on the track last weekend, I believe Montoya would have won the race. Juan keeps hanging around, and he will be a contender at the end.
With four of the six races over, I believe only seven drivers are still in the running for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship. I had already counted Brian Vickers out, and I'm adding Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Denny Hamlin, and Carl Edwards to the list of drivers who will not contend for the championship. Carl Edwards was my pick to win it all this year, and he's not out of it, as far as points are concerned, but Edwards just doesn't have what it takes this year, and he will continue to lose ground.
This is going to be a great weekend for racing, and our NASCAR tour group will be at Lowe's Motor Speedway to take it all in. At least one more driver will bite the dust in Charlotte, and I look for Tony Stewart to continue driving hard and win the race this weekend!
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