NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase For The Championship

The 2009 series is in the books and Jimmie Johnson is the only driver to win 4 consecutive championships, it's now one for the history books. I figured since the season is over this is the perfect opportunity for a blog about the Chase considering a lot of people don't care for the rules and believe they should mix up the tracks the drivers compete at, among other things.

In my eyes, I like all the tracks the drivers compete at in the Chase, other people will disagree with me and believe it should be changed some since Jimmie Johnson has dominated the Chase for the past four years. It's fair to say many people believe if NASCAR adds and removes some tracks to the Chase schedule that Jimmie and Team 48 won't be as competitive and have a harder time to 5-Peat? This could be true to some extent, however I don't see Jimmie finishing below 5th in the points if they do make some changes. Hendrick Motorsports has proven they are one of the top teams in the garage, three of their four teams made the 2009 Chase and they finished 1,2,3 in the Championship Standings.

What I want to ask everyone is, what changes would you make to the Chase if any? Are there any tracks you would like to see taken off the schedule and if so, which track would you add in it's place and why? Did you like the old points system better or do you prefer the new one?

I'll go ahead and answer my own questions so all of you can see my opinion. I wouldn't personally change all that much, except remove and add a race track. I would love to see Richmond in the Chase, I'm not sure which track I'd remove yet but Richmond would be an awesome race in the Chase. I like the new points system, it was a close race this year as far as the top three positions went. If you all think about it, the final race of the season at Homestead could have gone either way with Jimmie Johnson or Mark Martin hoisting that Championship Trophy. Even if it was a long shot for Mark to win it all, it was still possible.

I hope to hear from you all.

McMurray to Drive 1 Car For Earnhardt/Ganassi in 2010

Okay, so this isn't new news, it's been public for a couple weeks now. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver Jamie McMurray,signed a one year deal to drive for Earnhardt/Ganassi in the 1 car with Bass Pro Shops as it's sponsor. However, I'd really like to discuss it. I'm personally really happy that Jamir McMurray has a ride for next season, I wasn't sure he would for a while since not many teams had rides available for 2010. On the other hand, I'm not happy where he's going, Earnhardt/Ganassi isn't a top team anymore in my eyes, sure Juan Pablo Montoya made the Chase in the 42 car but Martin Truex Jr didn't run all that well in 2009 while he was in the 1 car. For McMurray's sake let's hope both the 42 and 1 team's can have equal equipment and an equal chance at winning races and making the Chase in 2010. Considering McMurray's best year came while he was at Ganassi we can only hope he has a great season, gets at least one win and makes the Chase, he sure needs it, he's a great driver, he just hasn't had the best luck with the teams he's been with it seems.

As a fan of Jamie's, I hope he has a decent season so he can be resigned for a longer term deal for 2011 and beyond. What do you all think, will McMurray be their top driver or will it be Juan Pablo Montoya? Will either of them win next season or make the Chase? Earnhardt/Ganassi really needs to step things up in the Cup Series as far as I'm concerned, I believe in my heart that Dale Earnhardt Sr is rolling in his grave, he must be so upset, seeing that DEI isn't by itself anymore and isn't really a top team in the sport. Things would certainly be different with that organazation if he were still around today.

This is the link to where I found the Jamie McMurray picture I used, I found it in a Google Image search: http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2007/10/25/amd_nascar_mcmurray.jpg(Credit Given)

Jimmie Johnson Win's 4th Championship In a Row

Superman did it again Sunday, as Jimmie Johnson won his fourth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Title. Johnson, who started on the pole Sunday went into Homestead with a 108 point lead over second place Mark Martin, he left with 141 point lead and the Championship. Johnson's fourth title marks the first time in NASCAR history that a driver has won four in a row. In 2008 he won his third in a row(2006-2008) and tied Cale Yarborough who won three in a row from 1976-1978.

With Johnson winning the title again Hendrick Motorsports own Rick Hendrick won his ninth car owner's championship. Hendrick Motorsports has won the last nine of fifteen Sprint Cup titles. The organization is also the first team to sweep the top three spots in the championship standings with Jimmie Johnson finishing first, Mark Martin second and Jeff Gordon third. Not to mention Hendrick Motorsports led the standings after every chase race in 2009, it goes to show they are one of the top teams in the sport.

Johnson, seems to be the driver of the decade and the new face of the sport, he has dominated the chase for the past four years. Jimmie is quoted as saying "I don't know if we'll win another championship. I feel in my heart we'll be competitive, but at some point in time, we won't be that team." From a fan's point of view it's hard to believe this streak could eventually end, for now it could continue next year. Johnson, signed a five year contract extension last week to drive for Hendrick Motorsports through 2015. Chad Knaus, his crew chief is also set to be the crew chief of the #48 through 2015.

Time will certainly tell if or when the championship streak will end, the question is which team will beat Superman and Team 48 and hoist that trophy?

I would love to hear from everyone, Jimmie Johnson is my favorite NASCAR driver, some people don't like him or Team 48 for the simple fact that they believe he cheats. I don't believe it, I've been a fan since he was in the Busch Series. However, everyone is untitled to their own opinions, as am I. If not Jimmie, than who is your favorite driver or drivers and why? What do you think about the chase format and what would you change if anything?

I look forward to hearing from you all.

Image of Jimmie Johnson is from Yahoo Sports, I want to make sure I give credit where it is deserved. I read statistics from Yahoo and FoxSports.com

I had wrote this earlier in the week for another sport's blog I had started but decided to go just with NASCAR and not every sport I watch, I'd rather just have one that I will really get into and enjoy.

Welcome To Race Insider

Hello everyone! and welcome to Race Insider, my new blog dedicated to NASCAR news, debates, questions and more. I love everything about the sport and have been wanting to start a blog about what is going on in the sport for sometime. I love meeting other fans who enjoy the sport as much as I do. Everyone has their favorite driver or drivers, tracks they love and dislike, and rules they wish were different. Every fan is untitled to their own opinions, it's what sparks great debates. I look forward to hearing from all of you and hope you'll become a regular reader.

I'm a Jimmie Johnson fan but I like other drivers as well from Brian Vickers to Kasey Kahne, who's your favorite, how long have you been following that driver or drivers and why?

I will always give credit to where I find a picture or get my stats/research from but I will always reword information into my own work.

Have a great weekend everyone!