2007 Checker Auto Parts 500
Thursday November 8, 2007
Only two races remain in the 2007 Chase for the Cup. This week the NEXTEL Cup stars return to Phoenix International Raceway for the 2007 Checker Auto Parts 500. 312 miles on the tricky one-mile triangle makes for 500 challenging kilometers.
Jeff Gordon won here in April and will need another great finish to keep the pressure on Jimmie Johnson for the Championship. Either Johnson or Gordon has won each of the last five races. Will that trend continue this weekend? Will another Chaser pick up the victory or can a non-Chase interloper squeeze into Victory Lane this Sunday?
Comments
Tough to battle against “Mo” (momentum).
Jeff and Jimmy have “Mo” as a co-pilot right now. Jimmy has stated earlier in the year that he was concerned about Phoenix, so it could be an oppertunity for Jeff to regain the points lead.
I’d have to lay my money on Jeff this weekend.
Who knew that having a baby would garner this much sympathy for the much-hated Wonderboy? I must admit,even feel a little twinge when I wear my “I’m for 3 and anyone who beats 24″ vintage shirt. He actually earned my sympathy several seasons ago at Martinsville when his potentially winning car was taken out of contention when a large chunk’O'track ended up in the grill opening,and they wouldn’t let him regain his track position after the red flag. I hope Gordon can pull it off,teach those snotty little young’un’s about age before treachery.
Ok, I can’t believe my eye’s, all of you use to or still hate Jeff Gordon, but you all would like to see him win over Jimmie Johnson!!! Jimmie is a clean driver, has been within the top 10 since his rookie year and has won last years cup…..common gentelmen, what is with you, give it up for Jimmie, he will be a 2 time cup champ, maybe this year, he has tied Tony Stewart as far wins goes, and been in the sport for half the time, and who know’s may even breat other records…..I think it all boils down to…..people always hate the winner, espeacialy when they win alot, but that’s skills for ya.
I’m a true JEFF GORDON fan.If anybody can pull these next two races off, its JEFF GORDON. Just watch.
Why does Nascar help the Hendrick Team?
I’m a Jeff Gordon fan, and I’m like Debby, if anyone can do it he can…. I want to see him win the championship. I have only been a Nascar fan for 3 years and I would love to see him win it this year!!!! go 24 go!!!!!
My money is on the Jimster! Go Jimmy Goooooooo!
Go 24 go!!!! show them what u can do with the #48…. You can show him who is the BOSS!! You deserve this championship for 2007….this is his opportunity to gain the points lead and win this race …..24 ALL THE WAY!!!!
I think jeff or tony will take it . They both now how to handle sprint cars ,and that track is perfect for their style of racing .Jimmy’s better at the big tracks i think !
Why does Nascar help the Hendrick Team win?
Why does Nascar help the Hendrick Team win?
So message boards and blogs with comments can be filled with unsubstantiated proclamations.
Saw the last race at Texas, feel for Gordon. Johnson is going to win by a hair. Gordon has not been my fave but he doesn;t deserve the nastiness. The couple in the seat next to us have been there for years and live to hate Gordon………I may actually buy a 24 shirt.
Why does Nascar help the Hendrick Team win? For people with lack of brain power to ask those kind of questions.
Jimmy a clean driver? good one Guess you missed some of those races uh? All he is a cookie cutter driver.
Yes Jimmy is a clean driver, and yes he can drive on the really boring 1.5 mile tracks. The Hendricks teams have done alot of testing for NASCAR, which should be named Chevy Racing Association instead of NASCAR. The fact is that NASCAR in order to keep the money flowing have choosen a few to represent the sport and manufactured a hero. Now they are getting multuple driver entries from other motorsports and when they win what will be the rule change to bring it back to thier appointed golden boys. Jeff I hope beats Jimmy, but I am a Carl Edwards fan.
Somehow or other,Rick Hendrick has become a villified individual.All the money,honor and prestige that Hendrick Motorsports has,they came by honestly.I am absolutely convinced that there certainly have been times over the years that Nascar has shown some Hendrick drivers or Hendrick plans favoritism,just like my childhood friends,I cut them more slack because they have supported me,laughed with me,and cried with me.Hendrick has been with the France family since Nascar was formed,helped shape the series,and have dumped billions into the sport.They also indeed have G.M. factory support,but I feel that it may dry up since G.M. is posting such huge losses. Just like Carl Edwards,Johnsons public persona is an act,listen to his radio show once. I have seen a few instances this season of his arrogance on the track.but that often doesn’t surface on t.v.,and that is due to Nascars influence on network broadcasting.Jimmy obviously can win, but he would crumble like a CALIFORNIA COOKIE on dirt or a more challenging format.He might break a nail or mess up his hair.
I don’t want to start a bashing thread but I do have one followup….
WALTRIP55 said: “All the money,honor and prestige that Hendrick Motorsports has,they came by honestly”
Hmmm, A quick Google for the phrase “Rick Hendrick indicted” finds lots of hits like:
http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/1996/12/02/daily6.html
He was convicted and sentenced:
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/date/19971231/news008868.html
And then he was pardoned by Bill Clinton:
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3a4ac4112ecc.htm
This is a very close race for the championship this year.To make it easy for Jeff,sinse he owns half of Jimmys car I think for the last race Jeff should take his half back.Maybe like the engine and tranny?
The Hendrick teams was just like the Petty’s back in their day, the teams with the money wins. The differance is back in the Petty’s day they used REAL cars that looked like cars everyone drives, no cookie cutter engines they have now, they used 429,428,427,426,425,421 even 390’s. Now it’s a cookie cutter nascar. from drivers, to cars, and tracks. Even political correctness what a driver can say or not or how they drive on the track. Just like little kids out there you can’t touch me. Say anything as long it’s not saying anything bad about the almighty nascar.
Steve M. Yes you are correct about that.I guess I should have phrased it “Some of the money,honor,and prestige Hendrick motors has they came by semi-honestly”,like Junior Johnson ,and now Gene Hass,and indeed the France family themselves.Actually Steve,I had forgotten the pardon by Clinton,my bad.That alone is almost an admission of guilt.
WHY NOT A JEFF GORDON WIN. HE DESERVS TO WIN # 5. DOES NASCAR HELP. I DON’T THINK SO. THEY MAKE IT ALL WAY TO EVEN. BESIDES JIMMIE’S CREW CHEIF KNOWS HOW TO CHEAT AND NOT GET CAUGHT YET.
Jimmie’s crew cheif knows how to cheat and DOES NOT GET CAUGHT???? Where in the world have you been dottie? by the way name one team that does not cheat in nascar? If you can, I have a bridge to sell to you.
Guess this is Black Friday………..no MWR cars qualified
Dottie, go back a few races on nascar.com
when chad had to sit out 6 races for cheating!!!
Hey Waltrip 55
Sure Hendrick got it all honestly, thats why he was charged and kept from Nascar. To much big money dominates, a crap driver in top equipment will beat a great driver in ju8nk all day long. When you could win every race and still turn a loss without sponsor dollars things are bad. As the economy cools be ready for just 2 teams to dominate next year, as Gibbs will struggle with Toyota for a time. The issue is way to large a budgets. Musti car teams should start in the rear as well as get last pit picks each week, Cup guys in Busch should be treated as such also.
Hendrick, is different than back in the DAY. Petty just banged and had the first true super sponsor (STP). But ever since the “Stock Car” stopped being a car and became something else, and it became about the money (Goodyear, NEXTEL, etc) rather than the racing NASCAR has started to appeal to others and granted brought in tons of money, and the now influx of drivers from other motor sports for the money not for the completion. I still watch as I have like many others (1960’ Wide world of Sports) but is getting harder to do.
Hope for some good racing without the predetermined out come and maybe a real racer says a curse word because he lost or wrecked.
Keep the Faith we may yet get a Champion that is one because they raced to get it.
why does Nascar help the Hendricks Team??????????…..then tell me why they took 100 points from hjendricks and gordon in middle of year that could have caused trouble had not been for some really good racing by Jeff Gordon himself…..
Why does Nascar continually let the Hendrick Team get away with cheating? After all, Chad Knaus is a well known cheater. Nascar will allow the cheaters to continue cheating during the chase because Nascar doesn’t want to bring anything controversial to their precious “Chase”.
Dave, go elsewhere with dumb comments. You just show the rest of us that you are new to the sport and have not figure out this sport does not play on grass or have bats, end zones, round or oblong balls to throw around, that they use cars or now bricks with wheels instead.
If you had been around you would know that every team even back when they first started nascar and even before, that all teams drivers etc. have cheated.
Amazing is obviously a fan of Hendrick Motorsports.
Dave, I agree with The last commentor, either you are new to the sport and have no idea about it, or you come on here try to cause trouble. Either way you are making a fool out of yourself by doing it.
Dave See what dumbness causes, Assuming. Didn’t your mommy ever teach you not to assume? Sometimes it really brings out the dumbness in some of you. I’m not a fan of HMS, but what does it matter anyway if I am or not? I feel sorry for the team that you are rooting for, maybe that’s why they are not winning, ever thought about that?
Now you know why I sign my name Amazing, I’m Amazed there is people still write dumb/stupid stuff on the web to show all how stupid they really are.
Bryan is obviously a fan of Hendrick Motorsports.
I am amazed that Amazing is so high strung. He nneeds to try to calm down. Poor guy.
Look like someone should change their name from D*** to Gump. Unlike with this guy, in the movie Gump knew he was not very bright. Stupid is as Stupid does. HA HA.
Ha is obviously a fan of Hendrick Motorsports.
Should I say more? He certainly can prove our points. He’s so easy to make a fool of, he does it all by himself. Watch he will make another dumb comment.
Some people even make Gump look like a genius. Before you say it who care what team I like. At least I know what I’m talking about before I make a comment on here. Dave before you make a fool of yourself again on here and the other topics on this site. Crack open a book learn how to read and understand, then write on here. Up until now you have no idea what you are talking about.
Patty is obviously a fan of the Hendrick Team.
I think all of you Hendrick lovers are making Dave out to be a genius. Look how little he has to write to get you all infuriated.
Patty is obviously a fan of Hendrick Motorsports.
Well I have to say Earl, simpletons like dave does get under ones skin. Then again so does a chalk sqeaching across the chalk board. Myself I like to have fun with idiots the more you say the more they make a fool of themselves right “Dave” oh I mean Earl? They always say the samething over and over again, and nothing more than eight words in the sentence, that what happens with lack of brain power.
You see with lack of brain power you think it’s bad to be a fan of HMS. Somebody could say the very same about you for the team you are a fan of. Then again you don’t have the guts enough to say.
As I said before I like to play with simpletons because they have no idea how foolish they make of themselves. As in everything else one does get tired of them and it’s time to move on.
Let me say for you I must be a HMS fan.
Go ahead and make a fool of yourself, we all know you can’t help yourself.
Amazing,
You write so much to say so little.
Earl, ever stop and think as you have mentioned, why Amazing may write so much, and say so little? Look who he/she writing to, with that Dave character, I have to agree with Amazing, Dave by his comments he is not playing with a full deck. I don’t think he understand that he really is making fool of himself, and if he does know he really is a fool. By the few comments that you made I also have to agree either that you are Dave or want to be a Dave. My opinion I think amazing and the rest including myself are silly to respond back to Dave and you because that is what you two want and that is how you get your kicks. As in Amazing I’m done with you one/two, I don’t have the patients with your kind.
Some people need to learn how to write grammatically correct.
You know there is a computer program a person can buy at their local department store that tell the person the mistakes and grade level they are writing on the computer such as this site.
Too bad they did not have one because they would have known, while they had to looked up in the dictionary for a big word to use for them on trying to criticize an other comment, they would have seen their writing capabilities is at least 2 grade levels lower than the others.
When all else has failed they always come back, and try to be a school educator on grammar, by past readings on here it looks that is something else they have no clue what they are writing about.
I once read on this site recently maybe NASCAR should give a test to the fans so they can weed out the ones that have no idea or clue about the sport that certainly could not hurt with two of the people on here.
My point has certainly been proven.
Point has been proven but it was not yours, Earl. you should buy one of those Programs Earl/Dave. It is too bad you are not smart enough to know it. See ya.