This weekend Jimmie Johnson heads to Homestead needing to finish 25th or better to clinch the 2009 Sprint Cup title regardless of what Mark Martin does. While it's not officially over, the 3.38% chance of Mark pulling off the miracle doesn't prevent me from Congratulating Jimmie Johnson early on another amazing Chase.
NASCAR fans have a long history of hating winners. On the eve of Jimmie Johnson's fourth consecutive Championship he certainly has his share of anti-fans who would love nothing more than to see him fail.
No matter how you feel about Johnson and the Hendrick Motorsports team you have to admire what they have accomplished. They have dominated an incredibly competitive sport that was made even more competitive by the introduction of the Chase format. Four in a row is truly an amazing accomplishment.
Comments
He’ll likely win the championship and if he does, I sincerely hope he also loses no more than 13 points to Tony Stewart. That would mean he would win the championship by Chase rules, pre-chase points, or most wins (already ‘clinched’ on that one, so to speak).
The downside of this year is that the only thing worse for the anti-JJ crowd than JJ winning another title is the vast deluge of sports writers (sorry, Steve) who have told us again and again and again in these last few weeks how much or how or why they should appreciate his accomplishments. SI, ESPN, NASCAR.COM, the commentators on TV… it’s a little much and has likely had the unintended backlash of solidifying the resolve of the anti-JJ crowd. Heck, even I’m kinda tired of it, and I DO appreciate what he and the 48 team have done.
Well said, Todd, but as much as we can appreciate what the 48 team has accomplished, no one likes dominance. I can’t tell you how many times I have said, “There goes Johnson stinking up the show again….” this year. It’s amazing and aggravating all at the same time.
But, that all being said, I concede and humbly congratulate Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus and the whole 48 team. Enjoy your ride…..we all know it won’t last forever.
I agree with Todd to a certain degree. The constant drum beating from the media outlets has prrobably caused some of the backlash. I think it goes a little deeper than that though. I imagine that most of the sour grapes crowd against JJ are Hendrick/Gordon haters and most likely Jr. fans that are dissillusioned by his less than par performances. These fans are, typically speaking, a rowdy lot and for some reason or another they feel a since of entitlement or annointment before the green flag ever drops. I’ve been surrounded by them at tracks all over the country for decades. Both when they were Sr. fans, and now Jr. fans. They dislike Gordon with a mean streak a mile wide and subsequently hate anything Hendrick. With the exception of the 88 team. Which by the way is the only subpar Hendrick team going round and round on Sundays.
Here is a little proof of what I’m talking about:
Every race at some point there is the “fastest or best pit crew performance” vote. There are several factors taken into consideration on this but the largest is text fan vote. (this of course is a fee based text, so the more votes, the better!) Jr. is consistantly either #1 or #2. Now if anyone in their right mind thinks that is even remotely close to being correct, then I guess your a Jr. fan and dillusional. Dont get me wrong, I dont dislike the guy. As a matter of fact I think he handles himself rather well in the face of his current situation. I wish him a better season next year. He is better than he is currently performing.
JJ and Knaus have raised the bar to an incredible level. I hope the other 42 teams get their act together next year and dethrone the dynasty.
Having said that, congrats to the 48 team for performance and smart racing.
I am a long time race fan.(not much anymore) Crooks and cheaters breed nothing but crooks and cheaters. There’s something about the whole hendrick outfit that smells. Don’t bother with Jr. He couldn’t carry his Dad’s driving shoe laces. As far as jj & knause ? You will get caught some day !
J.d., that smell is talent and hard work. Never smelled that before, huh?
Most of JJ’s accomplishments must be attributed to the brilliance of Chad Knaus. Enough said.
my comment is …. Is while it is true that J.R. did first come to my attention, through his father. He has provin’ that he can win. Just look at his back to back Championship wins, which is no longer termed as the busch series as a champion. (i.e 1999 and 2000), he is still a talented driver, and if it were not such a DEVISTATING loss. He whould probably have become a Sprint cup champion(formally won by his father 7 times, as the Winston cup series). I still say that he has the talent,(yes, even with Hendrick behind him)but time and time again,he either doesn’t have the equipment, or makes bad mistakes that he generally,(for the most part)(and I So watch all of his interviews) (excuse the saying) man’s up to his mistakes, it WILL HAPPEN. AND THIS IS ESPECIALLY FOR… J.D.. no matter what! you stick with someone through THICK and THIN, because if you do not you are not a true and real fan. Would you not do the same with your wife or significant other?…. Jimmy Johnson is a very talented driver and his crew cheif does everything possible( along with Rick Hendrick, Jeff Gordan= also Co-owner, and teammates, whom share information-because they have pride in what they do and honestly have the the drive and want to win….Also, J.R. does until in the late laps of the race for the past few races, has run up front. Now even though i am am I will always be one of his many fans also know that he has not livin up to his potential, I do have faith. Maybe you are jealous , I have no clue…Rick Hendrick has had a few Exceptional years. And for the most of us see’s no, absolutely no, end in sught
did I mention that while I am a STAUCH,(one of the staunches J.r. fan’s out there) I have come to respect J.J. and Chad, as awesome competers who have the “Golden Touch”? I can appriciate anyone who competes and succeeds? Also since I knew J.R. was out…Mark Martin deserves the championship MORE then ANYONE in the sport today?
I certainly don’t dislike Jimmy Johnson at all. He gives more than 100% each and every week. He is definitely a competitive and formidible force. My real problem is that he wins too much! I know that probably sounds weird to many, but for me, I prefer to see different winners all the time. Sharing the joy, ya know what I mean? When you start to “expect” Jimmy to win every race and the championship, it just takes the excitement and anticipation out of it; I can’t really explain it. This will be the 4th season we are seeing JJ win, ugh! It’s like, “okay, it’s Jimmy again…what else is new?”. I was really hoping Mark Martin would clench the title this year, because it would be his first cup championship. At least when he retires, he could say he finally won a cup championship. Oh well! Maybe next year.
I never was a Jr. Fan. The 29 car still has a “3″ on the door. Thats the team I am loyal to. Most people that call themselves “fans” don’t know the Hendrick story. Do some research and find out ! You or me would still be in a federal lockdown somewhere over all the crap he pulled, but, if you have millions and can stick a couple o’ judges in your pocket, you go free after a hard year under “House Confinement”.
Next year ‘yall !!!
can we say long-winded, folks?
ya’ll try too hard to defend dear ole Jimmie.
woo.
he won.
big deal.
the racing still sucks.
that’s all that needs to be said folks.
Wow…some pretty negative comments about JJ and the 48 team. Maybe you should all quit watching the sport and leave the comments to those who love it!!!
lucky dog ok but not fair if you get two in a row thats not racing or fair to the points before you raced to get it
“Wow…some pretty negative comments about JJ and the 48 team. Maybe you should all quit watching the sport and leave the comments to those who love it!!!”
I’m way ahead of you, Gordonlover1. The 48 team is obviously running an illegal car, and getting away with it. And NASCAR evidently can’t, or won’t, put a stop to it so everyone can race by the same rules. That being the case, you can have this current version of NASCAR. I’ll be sitting out the 2010 season, and perhaps longer. Spending my time and money elsewhere. I am just not into rigged, WWF style sports entertainment.
Enjoy your boy, 48 lovers. Hope he gets a bunch more “championships” for ya.