SPOILER ALERT: NASCAR Nextel Cup wraps up at Homestead
Team-mates and title rivals Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson at Homestead
We'll freely admit that we don't give NASCAR much coverage here at Autoblog. It's the most popular form of motorsport in America by far, but push come to shove, there just aren't any big oval-track racing mavens on our staff. The F1 fans among us couldn't help but take notice when the grand prix drivers started streaming in to stock cars, but beyond that....
[Source: AutoWeek]
For you NASCAR fans out there, though, we're glad to bring you the announcement of this year's Nextel Cup winner: Jimmie Johnson. It should come as no big surprise for anyone who's been even remotely following this year's Chase, as the Hendrick Motorsport driver held a healthy lead over his team-mate Jeff Gordon going into this weekend's season closer at the Homestead Speedway in Miami. All he had to do was play it safe, finishing seventh. Gordon would have needed a miracle with the point spread, despite having lead the season right up until the readjustment for the Chase segment.
Roush Fenway's Matt Kenseth took the checkered flag at the season-ender, finishing the season in fourth overall. For those interested, Juan Pablo Montoya finished the race in an admirable fifteenth place, and placed 20th overall in the title race, while Jimmie Johnson hoisted the Cup for the second time in his career.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JDL 4:41PM (11/19/2007)
Oh NOES. What is SPEED going to broadcast for the next month or two?
Oh, I forgot...Nascar poker, Nascar behind the scene repeats, Daytona 500 preview, and 8 bazillion hours of the Barrett Jackson auction.
Whew...still little to no reason to watch SPEED.
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Lighting McQueen 5:22PM (11/19/2007)
Who watches NASCAR? Driving to the corner convenience store has more thrill and requires more skills than a full NASCAR race does.
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geo.stewart 6:16PM (11/19/2007)
says the nutsack who has never done it.
takes more skill, nerves than you think. and is a hell of a lot more enjoyable to watch than the follow the leader junk that F1/Indy/CART put out. when will they re-introduce passing into open wheel?
-converted through immersion. I'll grant NASCAR has done a poor job of managing the sport but dont believe it doesnt take skill.
and yes Autoblog, i would be happy to be your correspondent for the NASCAR circuit.
graviton 5:24PM (11/19/2007)
OMFG I hate NASCAR. I think it embodies everything that is wrong with the United States.
How can this sport be so popular? HOW!!!!!!!!!!!??????????
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nissanfreak87 5:29PM (11/19/2007)
How is Soccer so popular in Europe? it's boring to the point where the crowd gets into fights with each other.
I like NASCAR, but it's by no means my favorite racing series, I'd like to see some ALMS replays and maybe feature some more grassroots stuff like drifting, or SCCA road racing, stuff that's not NASCAR all the time.
graviton 5:49PM (11/19/2007)
HMMM watch cars go around in a circle for 500 miles or watch talented athletes run, jump, kick, and do all sorts of acrobatics while trying to score (although admittedly infrequently)? I'll go with the athletes over the Jim Bobs any day.
P.S. I'm not european
VP 5:56PM (11/19/2007)
If you all smart people don't like NASCAR what is the need for you to come into every thread and whine about it? If you don't like something, that's fine. No need to ruin it for others reading this thread.
Now, COMING TO THE ACTUAL TOPIC OF THIS THREAD: I am hardcore Jimmie fan & what he did was amazing. But Jeff Gordon did this year was amazing. 30 Top-10's in 36 races. Yet he does not win the cup. Brian France is trying to make this sport like the NFL & has ruined it too the core.
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seoultrain 2:13AM (11/20/2007)
"smart people don't like NASCAR"
agreed.
Dino Tojaga 6:06PM (11/19/2007)
Why aren't there ever spoiler alerts regarding Formula One races? Several times I have seen the outcome of a race unintentionally by hitting the live bookmark to Autoblog. Needless to say, it is very frustrating.
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harma41 7:12PM (11/19/2007)
I want to thank you for not covering NASCAR. Please increase F1 coverage. Why won't Bernie broadcast F1 in HD. This message will self-destruct in ten seconds....
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Philthy 7:41PM (11/19/2007)
I'd like to see Autoblog increase NASCAR coverage, at the very least to better cover the behind-the-scenes demolition of a once-great sport that actually deserved respect. At least it might raise awareness and a bit of response over how bad Brian France is for this sport. A Johnson fan above even acknowledged it - how is it possible to have the highest average finish, earn more points throughout the year, but not win the championship? Brian France is making a joke out of a sport that a lot of people care about and have spent their whole life following, even if you don't. And it doesn't look like it's going to change any time soon: http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=275809
Just plain sad.
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Noidor 11:22PM (11/19/2007)
I lost my interest in nascar after the 1997 season. Remember 98 with the 5 'n' 5 rule? Single file bonehead racing that no one liked? 99 was decent, 00 was great watching Dale and Labonte duking it out. Then when Eardnhardt died, so did my passion for the sport. It's no longer a sport. It lost its magic I guess.
But hey right now I'm getting a kick out of watching WTCC, BTCC (w/ Jason Plato aka Jason Baked Potato...thank you T1 Caparo), DTM, F1 produced some incredible racing this year.
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wally 5:16AM (11/20/2007)
WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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llarbkd 8:55AM (11/20/2007)
Obviously you do, you posted a reply to the post.
Back to the point at hand. Congrats, Jimmie. I'm a Gordon fan. Gordon was flawless all year. Jimmie just won when he had to. It is not quite fair that Gordon was better all year and was terrific in the Chase but doesn't win.
wally 3:34PM (11/20/2007)
JUST KILLING TIME!!!! Trying to pi$$ off redneck$.
Maybe if they raced real stock cars I'd watch I'd Care. WWE-NASCAR new name after sale!!!!!
Mike 10:18AM (11/20/2007)
Jimmy who?
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UPDOG 12:31PM (11/20/2007)
I can understand how Nascar can be perceived as boring "round n circles" racing. Racing cars around a road course is a thrill, but to go lap for lap near 200 mph with the petal to the floor.. there's no better form of racing. Any close competition id F1 results in cars exploding into a hundred pieces. Your lucky if you have 2 cars on the same lap in an Indy or F1 race. To totaly knock NASCAR...you truly can not be a car enthusiast. It deserves some respect.
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900hp 1:23PM (11/20/2007)
Not much honest drama this season. It was a one-team "chase" all year: Hendrick Racing. Whatever they know about setup, it amazingly applies to both the old car and COT. They're the Ferrari of NASCRAP right now. Starting with that advantage (and not considering driving talent), Johnson also has the second-cheatingest crew chief in Chad Knaus (the first being anyone on Team Waltrip, but they're inconsequential). Unless the other teams find something, this could be a long, Schumachian haul.
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kevin 11:37AM (12/23/2007)
IT,S ALL ENTERTAINMENT TO EACH IT OWN.
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