Top NASCAR Stories of 2006
Wednesday December 27, 2006
2006 was the year of Jimmie Johnson as he won the NEXTEL Cup Championship. However, from the Daytona 500 to Ford Championship weekend in Homestead there was a lot to talk about in 2006. Remember Brian Vickers' win in Talladega? Denny Hamlin emerging as a future superstar? Here are the hot stories that we were all talking about during the 2006 season.
Comments
Top Stories in 2006 in Nascar… Wait there is not None. Unless you call a cookie cutter driver won the championship. The chase still sucked. The whinner drivers still cried because someone touched them. Or they made excuses about they didn’t do well be cause of the car. Can’t admit they screwed up. The old drivers said these cars are alot easier to drive than the older ones. So what does that tell you?(so much for the drivers of yesteryear). nope no top news
I have to disagree with Ben . . . Jimmie was in 10th place with no prayer to win. Then the points rapidly changed. How many different leaders were there? Has Ben forgot the last 2 previous chases were determined by who ever won the first race in the chase?
Even though I may not have cheered Jimmie on, the chase was exciting.
Jimmie got there by cheating. Where’s the honor?
I must disagree with Dan…Jimmie just drives the car. He doesn’t build car, he doesn’t build the engine, he doesn’t build the transmission, etc… So how do you say Jimmie was cheating. Was he cheating in his driving, I don’t think so because Nascar does watch the races closely. I don’t have a favorite driver any more since Dale Sr. die, so this is just my thoughts. Thank you
I would have to agree with Ben. If it wasn’t for the chase crap Jimmie would not won the championship. All the chase do is knock all the other drivers out. Look at stewart look at the luck he was having towards the end. Look if the car in 13-14 spot start having good luck in the last ten races better than the top ten what could say he could have won? Unless of course he was several hundred out in points from first place, but he could come in the top 5 maybe. The chase is crap. It just another reason I stop watching nascar. I don’t think jimmie was cheating either.
Congrats to Jimmie. Great year, and I cant think of driver more deserving. I prefer pre-chase NASCAR, but the sport is certainly no millionaire thugs like the N(o) F(un) L(eague) or the NBA. With one exception, Dale Jr. Fans ( w/out the millions of $). I have no preference one way or the other for Jr. I appreciate his talents and am happy for him when he does well. But his fans are out of control. Terry actually got booed and I got trash thrown at me from Jr fans because he pushed his teammate Gordon around the track after running out of gas. Had anyone been listening to the radio transmission he was told to do that by his boss Mr. Hendrick. Thats just one instance. Jr fans are getting sterotyoped by this minority group of fans that are bordering on mob mentality. It has certainly tarnished my view of NASCAR’s darling.
Yea, like Jimmie did not know. Jimmie Johnson won the championship cause Nascar was to lite on CHEATIN KNAUS. Since 2002, he’s been caught more times then any other crew chief in history.
Terry Labonte was the Last of the real Nascar drivers. Too bad. Nascar getting what they deserve.
I think the big deal was Mark Martin supposed to be retiring. I am a Martin fan, and the man has never one a chase. But this year he got alot of bad hits, and had the worst pit crew. I think he could have done better if his crew was more compentent. Anyway, looking forward to 2007.
LABONTE WAS ONE OF THE LAST ALONG WITH MARK MARTIN. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY DALE JARRET ALSO BUT HE SOLD HIS SOUL TO TOYOTA FOR 10 MIL. I DON’T LIKE THE POINT SYSTEM AT ALL, THERE IS LITTLE INCENTIVE TO WIN, ONLY TO PROTECT YOUR POSITION AND STAY OUT OF TROUBLE. I HATE TO SAY IT BUT NASCAR IS RUINING STOCK CAR RACING WITH ITS COT (CAR OF TOMORROW). THEY ALSO INSIST EVERY CAR HAS TO BE EXACTLY THE SAME WITH ONLY THE NAME TAG DIFFERENT. EVERYTHING THEY DO IS FOR THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR FOR THEMSELVES AND TO HELL WITH THE REAL RACING FANS.
I think, if you can’t handle how they do things at NASCAR then don’t watch. What is so hard about that.
Murphy, the outside of the car might have to be the same but everything else isn’t. I think you are just jealouse about what they are doing there at NASCAR.
I also agree with TLabonte Fan about everything s/he has to say. Jimmie is one of the most deserving since he has been so close for so many years.
There were so many great things that happened this year, it wasn’t believeable.
I am sick of so called fans saying Jimmie cheated to win the championship. Get over it, he won it fair and square.
Yea jimmie won fair and square as an cookie cutter driver. If it wasn’t the chase crap he couldn’t have won. That’s stupid he should of won the Champ because he was close in the past? So was many other drivers that have not won. So if we don’t like jimmie we are not fans? That is just as creditable as the chase crap. Hey DH fan that’s the point if we don’t like nascar anymore we’re not watching it any longer, DUH. So is alot of other ex nascar watchers. Have you been watching the races lately? They havn’t sold out, most of the tracks. The viewership been down on tv. AGAIN, DUH. Marten is not in the same class as the older drivers. He thought he was greater than he really was. The proof was when he decided not to retire, because he thought they couldn’t go on with out him. Labonte was the last of the best.
Here is my take on this. Jimmie Johnson didn’t win the Championship, the 48 “Team” did. Chad K. wasn’t the “Only” one who knew about the cheating, The “Team” did as well! I think they should have it as, if you get caught cheating like Chad did, (Flat out knowing it was a wrong part) Then he (Chad) should be “BANNED” from racing “FOREVER”, and the team out for the season and the owner gets 3 strikes your out of “Nascar” as well. That would stop cheating in it’s tracks! (So, he didn’t win fare and square, The “Team” Cheated)I think that they should have a mandatory 15 or even top 20 for the “Chase”. As for TV ratings, They will “DROP LIKE A ROCK” this year because most of the races won’t be on our local channels anymore. They are moving it to the Toilet espn! No one around here wants or gets that overpriced crap station. So, when it’s on that channel we are going either “Golfing” or “Fishing” instead. We will watch it when it’s on TNT or if they put it back on NBC. But, I’ll watch the repeat on “SPEED” anyways. LOL.
You know wnat? I’m just tired of all of this jealousy. Jimmie not only won the Championship, plus the triple crown. He is the champion & he does not need me to defend him. He is not like some of the others who need to get their fans all worked up to help their self- esteem. He is secure in his life & who he is & he’s a big boy who can take care of himself. We don’t need to fight his battles. He can fight his own. He’s a man. He comes from working class people & like many of you would be, so thankful for the breaks he received. Jimmie & family are strong! Move on JJ fans. He has…go 48 go!
HEY DH FAN, YOUR ONLY KIDDING YOURSELF IF YOU THINK NASCAR DOESN’T CONTROL EVERYTHING IN,ON,AND AROUND EVERY CAR INCLUDING EVERY NUT, BOLT, DRIVERS, AND CREW. NASCAR SEES ALL AND CONTROLS ALL.
OMG….people actually like Jimmie??? The cheating idiot. There’s no way he didn’t know!! HE and Chad should be BANNED from NASCAR as well as Kevin Harvik (for cheating….once a cheater always a cheater!!). He should have been punished as much as Chad…1 man doesn’t make the team…but the team makes the man (or whatever Jimmie thinks he is). What’s good for one memeber is good for all!! OH well…can’t change it now…but IF Jimmie Johnson wins the Daytona 500 again CHEATING..I will no longer watch NASCAR–it’ll prove it’s not who you know it’s who you…..
48smokesthe20, if you call getting caught cheating, and win the championship fair and square? What can anybody say. The drivers/teams didn’t cheat, and did not win, and the team/driver get caught cheating and win. What does that tell you? Oh yea, JEALOUSE? of what? A driver win and another did not win? Are you the driver? are we the other drivers? You make a dumb statement. Yes he got the breaks in Nascar. Have you ever notice all the new drivers in the past few years are fairly good looking? Ever wonder why? Maybe it fills the Nascar Image. COOKIE CUTTER rings a Bell with you? I would put any amount of money that there are just as good if not better drivers out there than johnson, but they don’t full fill nascar image. I love watching racing Sprint cars, Drag racing, and untill the last few years Nascar. The 9 driver is another cookie cutter driver. When he raced here in the NW in sprints he had the best of everything, car,etc. Money does that for you. When he goes back home and race he couldn’t make the field, they made a spot for him. cookie cutter. Yet has johnson ever thank his fans? or even you 48smokes20? Stewart is not my favorite, (my favorites the real drivers, are retired now) lot better driver than johnson could ever be. Stewart is the closes too the NON-cookie cutter driver Nascar has.
Mytake, first of all, I know you are a 20 fan & guess what, I admire him too! I just don’t like his manipulation of people for his own gain. He has great charisma, everyone loves people like that….but if you are smart…you read between the lines & discern what his motives are. In my opinion, he wants to become the most popular driver & take that away from Junior. You know what, I think he will succeed! He’s a great politician! My name that I use is just to let him know, I’m not buying what he is portraying as being sincere. Tony is one of those people, when he walks into a room, he sucks up all of the oxygen in the room & he has the attention. I know he reads the blogs etc & I shouldn’t give him this because he will work on being humble now. I wish he would just be himself again, a crazy, hot tempered, I hate you person. Oh, and buy the way, why don’t you stop using different names to hide under….you are so recognizable by your rants. You state that I make dumb statements…..let’s not get into “The war of wits”, I will chew you up & spit you out….did that make you crazy? Thought so…..go 48 go!
48smokesth20- chew me up and spit me out? Don’t flatter yourself your not that good.
48smokesth20, you are correct, there is no need be in the war of wits. It serves no purpose. After saying that-I never said I did not like Stewart, I said he is not my favorite driver. I said he is the closes to the old style/great/real drivers. (Of which Terry labonte was the last of them). The drivers now days are cookie cutter including Johnson. I do believe that if it were not for the chase crap, he would not have won the championship. I do not agree with, what have been said, he deserves it because he has been close in the past, so have many other drivers. I also do not agree with he won it fair and square win because him/team been caught cheating. If a driver/team cheats and wins, that is not creditable, no matter what/who’s the team. You have said about Stewart’s image problem of the past. Yes, he’s had a problem with it so has the #2 and #5 cars drivers. If you been around NASCAR He is not unique with that problem. Now, shift gears a little, and repeat myself a little, these drivers now days are good, other wise they would not be in NASCAR, Agree? However, the drivers now days are cookie cutters drivers. I believe there are just as good or if not, better than most of the drivers now days but they don’t stack up to the Image the teams/NASCAR wants. Anyway, for your info I don’t really have a favorite driver now. I only watch one maybe 2 whole races this year (for the last 2 years), and a few partial races, for one reason is the commercial, and two the lack of excitement. It really has not been exciting for the past couple of years. To be honest until I read it I didn’t know who was in the chase crap until half way through. Now “The COT” cars coming in the play I probably will drop NASCAR completely. I rather watch Sprints now anyway. Changes are fine as long it’s done properly. However, the cookie cutter racing NASCAR wants (same kind of tracks, COT, drivers) now Toyota’s, I think NASCAR making a big mistake. If they haven’t notice, it’s already taking a tow.
Kinda off topic Question here. Im a new NASCAR fan and over the road truck driver. I could go to a lot of the events around the country if i wanted to. Just wondering which are the hardest events to get tickets to and which ones are usualy sold out if anyone knows? Thanks…
jiimie is the best nobody can beat him