Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage hired a large woman Sunday. Her job was to stand above victory lane and sing.
As it turned out, she wasn’t needed.
And it seems maybe the guy they call Superman has found some kryptonite.
The drama came early Sunday in the Dickies 500. On lap 3, Sam Hornish Jr. was tapped by David Reutimann and spun up the track. Not much, but just enough to brush the No. 48 of Jimmie Johnson. For his part Johnson tried to save his machine, but failed and hit the outside wall, careened back across the track, was hit by Sam Hornish Jr., again and sent into the inside wall. Johnson limped to the garage, spent over an hour getting repaired before heading back out and finished 38th. He lost 111 points to Mark Martin and his lead is only 73 points with two races remaining.
In other words, the 2009 Chase for the championship isn’t over.
Many in the media had already given the title to Johnson. Fans we complaining about the dominance of Johnson and his team who seemed a lock for this years Cup. But that was Sunday morning. By Sunday afternoon, Johnson was no longer the dominating force he was the day before.
“There's not a lot we can do about it.” Johnson said. “We were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The guys did a great job to get this car back out on track to pick up some more spots. And we'll go to Phoenix and race.
"We've got two great race tracks for us (coming up, Phoenix and Homestead). We didn't want this by any means but we're still in a great position and we'll go to Phoenix and race."
For those Chasers behind Johnson, there is renewed hope. Those drivers in second to sixth still have a shot, and an even better shot with two races remaining then they had coming into Texas.
“It’s not over yet,” second place Mark Martin said. “The top six—I’m still kind of baffled why everybody is so preoccupied with first and second. The top six spots are being raced for like a dogfight. I’ve got two past champions that knocked me out of championships breathing down my neck, so the race is still on for all of us.”
Martin was second to Jeff Gordon, who is currently third, in 1998 and second to Tony Stewart, currently fifth, in 2002.
For those drivers beyond sixth, nothing has changed. They are essentially out of the Chase.
Drivers like Greg Biffle, who saw his chances slip away with miserable finishes in the opening rounds. Biffle finished 8th Sunday and has been running better as of late. Unfortunately it will be too little too late.
“An eighth place finish is good.” Biffle said. “We pretty much ran 10th to 15th all day and then at the end a few guys tried to make it and ran out of gas, so we got those spots.
We’re happy with it.”
In the end, perhaps because she had already been paid, the fat woman sang above victory lane, even though it was for naught. Below Kurt Busch celebrated his win, Jimmie Johnson licked his wounds, and the media sat down for a feast of crow.
Comments
Hey, what about the race, or none race as I see it? This race was a lot worse than Talledaga. Was there any lead changes other than during pit stops? If there was, it couldn't have been many. This COT has completely ruined NASCASH. I am really surprised that there hasn't been a lot of feedback from other writers and fans about the non racing at Texas. After fans spent a pile of money to watch this snooze fest I could understand why the stands are not full. There was way less lead changes in this race than Talledega and I am surprised no one seems to be talking about it. Nascar needs to do something by the start of next season aout this COT are they will really be hurting next year. Did anyone else not notice?
Larry said.... "There was way less lead changes in this race than Talledega and I am surprised no one seems to be talking about it."
No one? I guess you are for one, but what's the point?
Kyle Busch dominated, that's called "stuff happens," when a drive dominates there will be few lead changes.
And BTW, comparing Texas to Talladega, a track the leads every season in lead changes, is disingenuous. At best. At worst nonsensical.
Larry, don't you know its all Chase all the time. There is a good battle for the Top 35, which is very important for those guys to start the season locked in the first 5 races, but nobody is talking about that either.
I was really hoping this Chase would be runaway this season so Nascar can get rid of this stupid chase format. All they need to do is adopt a points system similar to IndyCar or F1. It will generate excitement all year and you wouldn't need some contrived chase formula to build excitement. Its become all about the Chase and "what the points are if the race ended now" and the race itself is totally lost in it all
Steve, I agree! I never was for the chase anyway. The true champion is the one who has the most points after all the races not just ten. The biggest thing I would like to see is go back to the old system but give the winner more points for winning. After all, that's what it should be anyway-winning. And, maybe that would stop all this points racing where you just try to have a good points day without going for a win. And Marc, I'm not compaing the two tracks because they are different tracks, but anybody who doesn't think this race wasn't a snoozer wasn't watching the same race I was.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!