Is Jimmie Johnson Killing NASCAR?

Five races left until the end of the season, or is it fives races left until the death of NASCAR according to some of the fans who are already writing their own obituaries? After cruising the Internet's highways and byways taking in some of the small talk about the current state of the sport, which I did find kind of amusing at times, I couldn't ...

[Wanda]

It really is a trashy (drug) sport. My brother will watch a little of it on TV. It will usually put him to sleep. The UFC is a real mans sport!!!

[tired]

It's getteing really old and boring. i've watche for years and for the first time can see my self not watching. the point system or somethung has to change.

[bkm57]

I use to watch it everytime it is on. Now you kinda know that Jimmy will win so why watch. I wish it would go back to the old days when it was fun to watch. I find other things to do on Sundays now. So to answer your question Yes Jimmy Johnson and Nascar have killed nascar. RIP

[MarkL5]

tired wrote:

It's getteing really old and boring. i've watche for years and for the first time can see my self not watching. the point system or somethung has to change.

When Petty dominated, did it hurt the sport?
When Yarborough dominated, did it hurt?
How bout Earnhardt?
Gordon's run of titles certainly did not!

One person out of a hundred can easily say that "It's getting really old and boring." What that means is nothing.

For the peceptually-challenged allow me to say this...

Jeff Gordon is LOSING this championship.
Kurt Bush is LOSING this championship.
Tony Stewart is LOSING this championship.
Matt Kenseth is LOSING this championship.

All of these former Cup champions are failing.
Every driver drives under the same points system. Every driver drives the same types of car. The difference is the TEAM. Especially the driver and crew chief. This is the great connector between champions past and present. You can easily point to a great drive and crew chief combination when it comes to this sport.

Earnhardt/Shelmerdine
Petty/Inman
Gordon/Evernham
Yarborough/Wilson
Waltrip/Wilson

And so on!

Knaus and Johson head the latest great TEAM in NASCAR Cup history.
Makes no difference what the point format is - the reality is the same - Top ten finishes and wins wins championships. The format you currently blast, actually makes the championship CLOSER! If not for this format, Johnson would already be coasting with less than a handful of races to go. With this format, he could still actually lose it...

But he won't.

He won't because he's got the most imaginative, well-funded and motivated crew chief and team in motorsports. In the world of sports, you MUST understand one universal truth...

THE BEST WIN.

If you can't ACCEPT that, then you should find something else to pay attention to.

[alpinedigital]

But it’s not the 48 team's fault other teams are going through so many changes. I’d blame it on other teams failing and Johnson staying consistent. Carl and Kyle are perfect examples of how other teams are losing their edge.

[jimmy48]

MarkL5 wrote:

<quoted text>
When Petty dominated, did it hurt the sport?
When Yarborough dominated, did it hurt?
How bout Earnhardt?
Gordon's run of titles certainly did not!
One person out of a hundred can easily say that "It's getting really old and boring." What that means is nothing.
For the peceptually-challenged allow me to say this...
Jeff Gordon is LOSING this championship.
Kurt Bush is LOSING this championship.
Tony Stewart is LOSING this championship.
Matt Kenseth is LOSING this championship.
All of these former Cup champions are failing.
Every driver drives under the same points system. Every driver drives the same types of car. The difference is the TEAM. Especially the driver and crew chief. This is the great connector between champions past and present. You can easily point to a great drive and crew chief combination when it comes to this sport.
Earnhardt/Shelmerdine
Petty/Inman
Gordon/Evernham
Yarborough/Wilson
Waltrip/Wilson
And so on!
Knaus and Johson head the latest great TEAM in NASCAR Cup history.
Makes no difference what the point format is - the reality is the same - Top ten finishes and wins wins championships. The format you currently blast, actually makes the championship CLOSER! If not for this format, Johnson would already be coasting with less than a handful of races to go. With this format, he could still actually lose it...
But he won't.
He won't because he's got the most imaginative, well-funded and motivated crew chief and team in motorsports. In the world of sports, you MUST understand one universal truth...
THE BEST WIN.
If you can't ACCEPT that, then you should find something else to pay attention to.

Thank you Mark. You nailed it. I've been saying that too just not as eloguently.lol. There have always been teams that dominated the sport. And the 48 is just the one doing it right now. Someone else will come along eventually.(keeping my eye on that young Joey guy). But for now it is Jimmie and it is what it is. If it was anyone else they'd be doing the same thing. Look how many people hated Kyle when he came along. They said he was too aggressive and had an attitude. They don't like Jimmie because he's not aggressive enough. Its always something.

[snow]

jimmy48 wrote:

<quoted text>Thank you Mark. You nailed it. I've been saying that too just not as eloguently.lol. There have always been teams that dominated the sport. And the 48 is just the one doing it right now. Someone else will come along eventually.(keeping my eye on that young Joey guy). But for now it is Jimmie and it is what it is. If it was anyone else they'd be doing the same thing. Look how many people hated Kyle when he came along. They said he was too aggressive and had an attitude. They don't like Jimmie because he's not aggressive enough. Its always something.

I was over in the Tony board with a message to you. Don't you dare close the door..lol

[jimmy48]

snow wrote:

<quoted text>I was over in the Tony board with a message to you. Don't you dare close the door..lol

Got it and replied dear. Thank you.

[menards]

Na$car killed Na$car. Period.

[menards]

MarkL5 wrote:

<quoted text>
The format you currently blast, actually makes the championship CLOSER! If not for this format, Johnson would already be coasting with less than a handful of races to go. With this format, he could still actually lose it...

Actually, Tony Stewart would have an 80 point lead over Johnson if the chase format never existed. We would have a CLOSER points battle than we have right now with the chase.

[yes public option]

jimmy is what nascar is all about.
great cheif an driver an team. we couldnt ask for any thing more exciting than watching jimmy an chad every week. it makes the sport better than ever.
gotta love chad an jimmy''''''

[jimmy48]

yes public option wrote:

jimmy is what nascar is all about.
great cheif an driver an team. we couldnt ask for any thing more exciting than watching jimmy an chad every week. it makes the sport better than ever.
gotta love chad an jimmy''''''

We're witnessing something in Nascar that has never been seen before. One driver going for a 4peat. Thats what this sport is about. Breaking and setting records, getting out there to be the best.

[HendrickFan]

I don't think Jimmie is ruining nascar as much as he is making the chase a bore-fest... At the same time... When the Champion raises the level of competition it's up to the competition to raise the bar and make a name for themselves... Unlike most other sports, it seems like the latest Champion in nascar is the only one stepping up!

[alpinedigital]

menards wrote:

<quoted text>
Actually, Tony Stewart would have an 80 point lead over Johnson if the chase format never existed. We would have a CLOSER points battle than we have right now with the chase.

Closer for the leaders but not so close for those who fell off. It would be more of a run-away without having tightened the points, only Johnson may not be ahead, but so Johnson's ahead or somebody else is... but better the top 10 were at least closer at the start of the chase.

[alpinedigital]

HendrickFan wrote:

I don't think Jimmie is ruining nascar as much as he is making the chase a bore-fest... At the same time... When the Champion raises the level of competition it's up to the competition to raise the bar and make a name for themselves... Unlike most other sports, it seems like the latest Champion in nascar is the only one stepping up!

I think the latest champion is the one who's keeping his consistency when its the others who are losing their edge. Kyle had a great 2007, as did Carl, and Jr was at least showing some potential. When some teams lose consistency, others take their place in ranks.

The 48 team just didnt lose their stride, and perhaps even improved, but not like the 2007 season against the 24 who was far better that season, but couldn't bring it home against the 48. Those two teams, and the 5 team are showing they have staying power. Stewart's team is stepping up, and JPM is showing huge improvement.

[barr]

JJ is a great driver with a cool head. Chad is a smart CC who probably devotes more time to his job than anyone. If he worked on Wall St he would be a billionaire. I don't like to see them win all the time but somebody else needs to step up. Don't penalize them for working harder than anyone else.

[jimmy48]

alpinedigital wrote:

<quoted text>
I think the latest champion is the one who's keeping his consistency when its the others who are losing their edge. Kyle had a great 2007, as did Carl, and Jr was at least showing some potential. When some teams lose consistency, others take their place in ranks.
The 48 team just didnt lose their stride, and perhaps even improved, but not like the 2007 season against the 24 who was far better that season, but couldn't bring it home against the 48. Those two teams, and the 5 team are showing they have staying power. Stewart's team is stepping up, and JPM is showing huge improvement.

Going into these last four races I think it is going to be the 42 car to watch. I would love for it to be Tony Stewert tho. And just maybe Denny Hamlin might be a factor but not for the championship.

[jimmy48]

Very interesting article here on Chad and what he's all about.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_...

[alpinedigital]

The good thing is my 2nd and 3rd place favs are in 2nd and 3rd. I'd rather Gordon or Martin inherit the lead, and bring home the championship, than anyone else.

[mike also stutters]

but generally speaking the chase makes the race MUCH closer. how far back would third place be now? wjat about 12th? about 750 or 1,000 back to 12th?

you are right about the fact in this case, but you also know better. you are one of the few logical voices on these boards. the new system makes for a much closer finish and many more with a chance later into the season.

menards wrote:

<quoted text>
Actually, Tony Stewart would have an 80 point lead over Johnson if the chase format never existed. We would have a CLOSER points battle than we have right now with the chase.