Times are a Changin….

I’ve always directed my support to the underdog, the guy that didn’t have a chance. I think in part because the reward is so great when they pull off the win and there is very little dis-appointment when they don’t run well. Believe it or not there was a time when Jimmie Johnson didn’t win, that’s when I was a Jimmie Johnson fan. Once Jimmie started to win I moved on. It’s not that I just pick a loser, I pick a driver or team that is capable of winning but just hasn’t got it together enough to put one in the win column.  I can’t stand to see the same group of guys fighting for the win every week. I love a close finish, I know this is going to sound crazy but I would rather see a close finish with my driver losing than my driver winning by 5 car lengths. What I love about racing is the “race”, the battle, the bumping and banging.

This season is starting to take shape and it looks like NASCAR’s efforts over the last couple of years to level the playing field is starting to pay off. At least judging by the point standings it is. Judging by the point standings it looks like it’s going to be an awesome season, we’ll see some first time winners, we’ll see some guys who haven’t won in a while, and the fans will get to witness some great finishes.

1. TONY STEWART 113

2. KURT BUSCH 113

3. CARL EDWARDS 106 

4. JUAN PABLO MONTOYA 106

5. RYAN NEWMAN 103 

6. PAUL MENARD 96 

7. MARTIN TRUEX JR. 95 

8. DENNY HAMLIN 95 

9. A J ALLMENDINGER 94 

10. DALE EARNHARDT JR. 91

Just take a look at the points, look at Menard, Truex ,Allmendinger and even Earnhardt these guys are getting it done. Now I smart enough to know this doesn’t  mean they’ll finish the season in these positions. But it may be an indication that the playing field is becoming more level and that these drivers and teams have stepped up their game.

So for me it looks like it’s going to be a great season. Publically I’m behind Allmendinger but just between you and me I’d love to see Menard and Vickers in Victory Lane this season.

I’m not sure if it’s time to eat my words yet, because as some of you may know I’ve been very critical of the decisions NASCAR has made over the last couple of years but it would appear the steps they have taken has leveled the playing field a little.

Is it Too Obvious…..

There are a number of teams Marcos Ambrose could drive for but Richard Petty Motorsports(RPM) keeps floating to the top. Marcos has already annouced that he won’t be back in the JTG toyota #47 next season which JTG has already announced that Bobby Labonte will pilot the #47 next season. Those announcements are very telling because a driver doesn’t give up his ride unless he’s already got another solid deal done. Although there are many teams that would love to have Marcos they’re B and C teams. So Marcos wouldn’t give up his ride with a good B team(JTG) where he’s comfortable and in the middle of building a solid program to go start over with another B team. So that says he’s got a solid deal with a A team. The list of (A) teams  gets a little shorter and really there’s only one team with an empty seat. The only empty seat is at RPM Motorsports but there are a few (A) teams that with a sponsor could add another team. So that RPM naturally comes to the top if we’re making bets. But the media has been duped before, now there are 2 top owners that would love to go to 4 teams. That would be Gibbs and Childress. I don’t think Childress could pull it off without the media finding out because too many crew members at Childress have close ties to the media. Gibbs could pull it off without anyone knowing they’ve been successful in the past about keeping things quiet.  Most likely Marcos will be at RPM because it’s so obvious but maybe too obvious but RPM hasn’t made any other attempts to contact other drivers. Lastly RPM runs Fords, Ford was instrumental in bringing Marcos to the Cup series. So I’m going to keep my eyes and ears focused on Gibbs with my finger on the pulse at RPM.