Johnson's Cushion isn't Comfy

Jimmie Johnson jumped all over the opportunity to extend his points lead last weekend at Phoenix when Matt Kenseth had a poor run. Though some still wonder if Johnsons twenty-eight point gap is comfortable enough.

Johnson and the 48 team are certainly no strangers to situation of being conservative, seeing as they have been in it five of the last seven seasons. Homestead-Miami Speedway is not one of Johnson’s strongest tracks statically, given the fact he has never had to run hard there, just conservative. From my prospective conservative is not Johnson’s first option, because no one knows how the 20 of Matt Kenseth will perform, and tracks this size has been Kenseth’s strong point this season. Johnson has to enter this race ready to be inside the top fifteen and stay out of trouble. Johnson has a cushion he can lean on but it is a cushion that can deflate very quickly if issues arise, like the past two years. Johnson needs to stay in Kenseth’s head as he already is, letting Kenseth know he will do whatever it takes. Johnson wants his name in the record books yet again, and it would appear to me he has his pen ready write it down.

-Stephen Appell

A Champion hangs up his suit

Thursday afternoon the racing world was taken off guard when Indycar and Indy 500 Champion Dario Franchitti announced his retirement from racing. His announcement come just a few months after his horrific crash at the Houston Grand Prix.
 Franchitti stated "...based upon the expert advice of the doctors who treated and assessed my head and spinal injuries post accident,it is their best medical opinion I must stop racing." He will continue to purse racing off the track, but this Hall of Famer will be recognized for his amazing accomplishments.
He has had an outpouring of thank yous from racers of every kind.

Dario thank you for your time sir enjoy retirment

-Stephen Appell
 

Gaulding’s Controversial Move

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While there was a championship battle to be settled last Saturday night at the K&N West Series finale at Phoenix International Raceway, it was the two youngest drivers from the East who dominated the event.

There was action as soon as the green flag took flight, yet it was the last lap battle between Cole Custer and Gray Gaulding, which left the crowd wondering if the correct driver got the win.

Most felt Custer deserved the win, but Gaulding was the first to the checkered flag after making contact with Custer.  After the race Gaulding told me “my mindset going into turn three was to do the bump and run but with the speeds we are running here it sent him around.” Custer had a different point of view “I don’t know how you can’t control yourself one last lap… he’s done it three other times this year.”

Gaulding did exactly what he said in his interview, he drove in hard in an attempt to get to Custer’s bumper. His move appeared reminiscent of his last lap move at Battle at the Beach in which he sent the leader spinning. Gaulding is a young driver with talent trying to prove that he has the skill to be here, so he will do whatever he has to, to win. He saw his opportunity to capture his first win, so he took it, to me the move was done to fast and hard to even attempt the bump and run. In Daytona it looked like a blatant take out, Phoenix looked to have a plan that was executed poorly. Gaulding reminds me of Kasey Kahne in his first season with Hendrick, trying too hard, and going a little too far, he needs to settle down and look at the big picture. He is still young with a lot to learn but Gaulding has a bright future ahead.

-Stephen Appell

Two Rounds Left

With eight races down only two remain in the chase and it’s an all out boxing match between Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth. Johnson came out of his corner strong leading 255 of the 334 laps Sunday on his way to his third win at Texas, and Hendrick’s first on a mile and a half all season (not including the All-Star). Matt Kenseth had another strong day but made a mistake by speeding on pit lane and had to serve a pass through penalty. Kenseth and his team never gave up and were able to salvage a fourth place finish. With Johnsons win and most laps lead bonus points he finds himself leading Kenseth by seven points heading into Phoenix this weekend.

Jeff Gordon who was third in the standings fell to sixth after having a tire failure and contacting the wall. Kevin Harvick moved into third place in the standings but now find himself 40 points back of Johnson. Its now a two horse race for the championship heading into Phoenix

Jimmie Johnson was in this exact position going into Phoenix last season leading by 7 points over Brad Kelesowski, when he suffered a tire failure and made significant contact with the wall; surrendering the points lead and eventually losing the championship. Johnson would appear to be the favorite this weekend with 4 wins and 16 top tens at Phoenix while Matt Kenseth only has 1 win and 9 top tens.  Do they play it safe this weekend at Phoenix with one round left or go for the knockout punch.

-Stephen Appell

Is Everything Bigger In Texas?

Last week at history was against Matt Kenseth and for Jimmie Johnson due to his great record at Martinsville, but now we enter a track where the two driver an equally matched. Kenseth and Johnson lead the Chase into Texas this weekend and both are ready to pounce to break there tie atop the point standings. Kenseth and Johnson both have two wins and each and have scored fifteen tens at Texas. This has been the story of the Chase if you see one the other is lurking behind ready to attack if the opportunity presents its self. There game of where ever you go I go differently wont be taking a rest this weekend. The two are excellent on mile and a half tracks, these two know how to put on a show and show has a great ending building up.
-Stephen Appell