Wednesday, October 15th 'What If' Question

Back when tandem drafting was a thing, the Hendrick Motorsports foursome put on a show at Talladega Superspeedway.

It was May 2011, and the only way to draft was by picking a partner and sticking your nose on their back bumper. Jeff Gordon was the best car at the Aaron’s 499 with then teammate Mark Martin his tandem buddy. Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were the other pair.

They came from 11^th and 12^th with two laps to go to see Johnson pushed to victory in a four-wide photo finish. Earnhardt Jr. ended up fourth. Johnson’s margin of victory was 0.002, the closest in NASCAR history.

The Lowe’s driver made no bones about it that it wasn’t possible without Earnhardt Jr., as the two never left each other throughout the day. Even feeling as though he needed to give Earnhardt Jr. the checkered flag before heading to Victory Lane. Taking it a step further, however, Johnson and Chad Knaus acknowledged they now owed their teammate one the next time around.

It never game to fruition at Talladega or Daytona, though many never forgot. And Johnson took heat in a subsequent July Daytona race for where he and Earnhardt Jr. ended up.

This weekend the series returns to Talladega with both Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. needing a victory to keep their 2014 Chase hopes alive. Tandem drafting no longer applies as restrictor plate racing has gone back to the traditional pack of screaming machines.

It leaves drivers more in control of making their own moves in the pack and not having to worry about the person tagging along.

But …

What if Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. work together again at Talladega, with both needing a win, would and should Johnson return that favor and push Earnhardt Jr.?

@JR88Elves All bets are off if they are in that position on Sunday..

@modifiedcrazy No chance! #88

@kartracer3886 I wish he would lol. But he would go for the win if he could get it. And he wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t go for it

@playingjust14 I think someone should help @TonyStewart for the win!

@JoJo_6040 Nope. All favors are out the window for this chase

@AlecWiseman If one is pushing the other, 2nd has a good chance of moving on to the next round, and the CC will let them know

@LeftTrnLutheran I’d like to see a @DaleJr and @KyleLarsonRacin tandem, one’s looking for a win, and the other a championship

@ladyndewgreen88 Never happen…..JJ will never be second just ask Junior how many times he pushed JJ

@denver2u ..absolutely…JJ has enough championships for now…Time to share and help DaleJr to the next round…if need be!!

Saturday, November 30th 'What If' Question

Not since the championship battle of Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards in 2011 had two drivers gone into the Chase for the Sprint Cup so equally matched.

Stewart and Edwards ended up tying for that title with Stewart earning his third crown because he had more wins. This past season history very well could have repeated itself with Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth. The two drivers who all season and all Chase long, proved they were the cream of the crop.

Kenseth opened the Chase with two straight wins and quickly took commanding control of the point lead. Johnson stalked the Joe Gibbs Racing driver and racked up top fives and wins of his own. During the second half of the Chase they traded the point lead back and forth, setting themselves up for a fantastic finale in Homestead.

But before Homestead comes Phoenix.

It was Johnson on the pole with Kenseth starting deep in the field. While the 48 Lowe’s team from Hendrick Motorsports had a solid top five day – escaping what could have been two major incidents – Kenseth struggled mightily. The No. 20 team never hit the setup and were only able to salvage a 23rd place finish.

Suddenly the exciting championship battle was out of reach. The point lead for Johnson heading into Homestead was an insurmountable 28. A top 25 finish in Homestead would (and did) seal his sixth Sprint Cup championship.

An anti-climatic ending to a Chase that had been shaping up as one of the best in its 10 year history.

But …

What if Johnson and Kenseth had gone into Homestead a lot closer in points, in a winner take all, who'd you put money on and why? 

@Revvin4Seven48 Johnson, been in championship situations more often that not. Plus Knaus would have been the X Factor. 

@kbr81911 Wow...thats a hard question. They are both great under pressure! I cant say Id even want to bet on either one! 

@MC412 Easily 48. They've been through this enough that the pressure wouldn't affect them. I think the JGR crew could choke. 

Josh Jones (via Facebook) Even though I am not a fan of his, I would still say Jimmie, just because Chad and him always know what to do during the chase races

Marshall Gabell (via Facebook) Jimmie, because he's Jimmie 

Brian Cullather (via Facebook) I'd say Jimmie too because of the Chad factor 

Saturday, March 30th 'What If' Question

The Sprint Cup Series championship picture is constantly changing. Teams go from contenders to pretenders and vice versa. There are drivers who get hot at the right time and charge into the Chase.

Perhaps rarely though, if ever before, had a championship picture changed so dramatically than five races into the season. But when Denny Hamlin crashed on the final lap in the final corner of the Auto Club Speedway two weeks ago, that’s exactly what happened. The crash, involving new foe / old teammate Joey Logano, resulted in Hamlin suffering a compression fracture to the L1 vertebra in his back.

The diagnosis puts Hamlin out of his No. 11 FedEx Toyota for a minimum of five weeks. Taking him out of Chase contention, at least temporarily. Mark Martin will sub for Hamlin at Martinsville and Brian Vickers will be the driver starting at Texas. Hamlin was sitting 10th in points leaving California and will now start to slide backwards with ever race he misses.

Except, it’s not impossible for Hamlin to make the Chase when he returns. The most important thing will be for him to win and try to get himself in the top 20 in points. From there, thanks in part to NASCAR’s new wildcard rule in which drivers who are outside the top 10 in points but have a win, Hamlin could get a Chase spot.

The good news is that some of Hamlin’s best tracks will be ahead of him when he returns. Thus making it difficult, but not impossible for him to make the 2013 Chase for the Championship, something he’s done every season since he’s been in the NSCS.

It will be a few weeks though, before any of that can be set in motion. In the meantime, Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the points as teammate Jimmie Johnson looks for another Martinsville win. Danica Patrick is struggling early in her Rookie season and Tony Stewart made it clear, again, that he’s not a fan of blocking.

But …

What if Denny Hamlin comes back from his injury and makes a charge into the Chase, will he be the story of the year? 

@HD388 without question if @dennyhamlin makes the Chase after coming back from injury it is the story of the year. I think the only story bigger than Hamlin coming back to make the Chase would be if Junior wins the title

@WilliamCheerboy No because it'll be impossible

@JoJo_6040 Depends on who might win the championship. He'd definitely be one if not the biggest stories & probably for years to come

Tuesday, October 9th 'What If' Quesiton

Sometimes all it takes to ruin the perfect moment or the perfect race, is one split second decision. Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart found himself in that position when he came down the track to block Michael Waltrip's big run and caused a 25 car wreck.

Stewart, who was leading at the time, was trying to win the race. When he quickly found himself in the sucker-hole, the middle of the track with cars flying past on the outside and inside, he made the only decision he could: try to protect his position.

Stewart ended up getting turned by Waltrip who was being pushed by Casey Mears. When the dust settled and the checkered flag was shown, Matt Kenseth was declared the winner with only Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon making it through the carnage behind him. Stewart did apologize for starting the wreck and took responsibility, but many others weren't happy with the type of racing they had seen.

Most vocal was Dale Earnhardt Jr., who we learned later had suffered a concussion. He'll be sitting out the next two Sprint Cup Series races.

The wreck also shook up the point standings. Brad Keselowski extended his lead to 14 over Johnson, who wrecked while Keselowski was able to save his car and drive to a seventh place finish. Anything could have happened had the pack made to the finish line as they were, instead one mistake on the final lap, in the final corner changed everything.

Such is the life in NASCAR.

But ..

What if Stewart and Waltrip didn't get together and start last lap crash, of that big pack coming off turn four, take your pick: who wins Talladega?

@TheOrangeCone Josh Wise

@Anthony_Stuart Kenseth: not enough time was left for them to get by him

@FurnitureRow_78 Waltrip definitely would have won!

@NaScArFaN995 michael waltrip or casey mears

@Gman1439 Waltrip vs Kenseth, I say Waltrip would of won

@31SpazCat15 I think Mikey wins!!

@philenespanol Mikey. He had a full head of steam (hence getting into smoke) and probably would have settled it between him and Clint

@mattwoodruff29 Harvick he was right on Kenseth's and could had went for the win!

@NancyatStudioN Michael Waltrip

@chuckallen2 @mw55 was going to win, no doubt in my mind. His momentum, getting pushed in the perfect spot on track were just enough

@Rasenna Tony! He's the man!

@HarpAmyStabler I think that Mikey or Casey Mears would have duked it out for the win.

Monday, May 21st 'What If' Question

With all the hype and advertising that comes with the Sprint All-Star race, no holds barred and full of wrecks, it was anything but on Saturday night. 

There were no fireworks, except for the ones released post race, nor were there wrecks and angry words exchanged. There was hard racing and smart strategy used and then a familiar face in victory lane. 

The 2012 format of the All-Star race consisted of five segments. The first four were 20 laps each and the final segment a 10 lap dash for the cash. That coming after a mandatory pit stop where as long as all four tires came to a stop in the box, it was considered OK and the driver could continue.

Another new wrinkle was that the drivers who won a segment would be lined up 1-4 coming to pit road for those final stops and that's where things got interesting.  

Jimmie Johnson won the first segment and then disappeared for the remainder of the All-Star. Literally. He restarted in the back of the pack and then let the field drive away as he stayed far behind what could have been potential carnage. 

Then segment two winner Matt Kenseth did the same thing. As did segment three winner Brad Keselowski, all playing possum until the final segment.

After Dale Earnhardt Jr. won segment four, he along with Johnson, Kenseth and Keselowski lined up for the mandatory stop and then exited pit road in the same order. When the green flag flew for the final segment Johnson drove away from the field for his third All-Star win.

Many were left shaking their heads in confusion, disappointment and anger at how the race played out. There seemed to be no racing involved or at least not what the All-Star race is accustomed to. Besides Johnson fans, what happend in the All-Star race wasn't what fans wanted, although Johnson and company simply took the rules and manipulated them to their advantage. 

Clint Bowyer seemed a bit shocked after the checkered flag flew saying, "He ran 30 laps, 30 damn laps and won $1 millon." 

But ... 


What if segment winners weren't allowed to 'sandbag,' how different would All-Star race have played out and does Johnson still win?


@kartracer3886 Lol If JJ didnt sandbag then he would have won every segment. I liked the format. Needs 1-2 slight tweaks


@Race_Girl24_7 idk but I would b good with a system that sends the last place driver to the garage after each segment even if they had won a segment earlier


@JoJo_6040 Each segmt would make 'em have to race. It's a short race, why sandbag? With that scenario, not sure who would've won. 

Monday, April 2nd 'What If' Question

Everything was in place on Sunday for Hendrick Motorsports to have an historic day at Martinsville Speedway.

Kasey Kahne won the pole, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. all led laps. And when came time to decide the winner Gordon, Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. were running first, second and third with less than 10 laps to go.

Whoever won the event for HMS would have delivered team owner Rick Hendrick his 200th Sprint Cup Series win. David Reutimann, Clint Bowyer and Ryan Newman had other plans and quickly postponed the celebration.

As Gordon took the lead by inches on Johnson on lap 498 of 500, David Reutimann came to a stop near turn one in his No. 10 Chevrolet. He had been slow for a few laps and had been issued the black flag by NASCAR, get off the track in other words.

Reutimann though was determined to finish the race and try to remain locked into the top 35 in points. Had he done so he would be guaranteed a starting spot in the series next race at Texas. Instead he said he had motor problems and the car shut off, stopping him to get back to pit road.

The caution bunched the field back up and when Earnhardt Jr. pitted it put Clint Boywer in third place, Brad Keselowski fourth, Ryan Newman fifth and Earnhardt Jr. sixth. When the green flag flew Newman shoved Bowyer toward turn one and Bowyer decided to take it three wide for the lead.

Johnson spun, Gordon got sideways and then spun Bowyer. Newman came out with the lead, AJ Allmendinger second and Earnhardt Jr. third. That's how they would finish when the race had their second attempt at a green-white-checkered finish.

Afterwards it was hard to find a happy driver. Either upset with the move by Bowyer, the push from Newman but most certainly because of the caution caused by Reutimann. Days later harsh words still remain for both Reutimann and the top 35 rule with both being the main topics of conversations concerning Martinsville.

HMS will once again put away the boxes full of 200 win hats and wait until Texas in two weeks to see if one of their drivers can win capture the checkered flag.

But ...

What if David Reutimann hadn't caused a caution as Gordon & Johnson raced for the lead, who scores the 200th win for HMS?

@ronsracing88 Jeff Gordon would of won.

@HD388 Gordon would of easily have won the race, he had run Johnson down & was passing him & would of driven off from him

@cruetten Jeff Gordon

@michaelwsays Jimmy would have laid the chrome bumper to the 24

@StrokerAce90 JJ

@CSoloy Niether-M'ville upchucks chunk AGAIN, goes through 24 grill, in turn clips 48 who pits, falls 2 end of lead lap

@HarpAmyStabler Jeff Gordon. My thots on Reuty are the following: He's fighting for the top 35. If you don't want something like that to affect the outcome of the race, then NASCAR needs to get rid of the top 35. But, in this economy, we need sponsors so we need to keep the top 35 rule. It's really a no-win situation here. All drivers have agendas on the track. Respect them.

Thursday, March 22nd 'What If' Question

Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus will go down in the NASCAR history books as one of the greatest driver and crew chief combinations the Sprint Cup Series ever saw.

On the bottom of that page however, it could also be said that they were one of the sports greyest combinations. Their success and five-straight championships haven't come without controversy, instead they seem to be the poster boys for it. Knaus has made quite a name for himself in the garage and around the grandstands, some call him smart, an innovator and hard worker.

Others call him a cheater for the following reasons:

During his time in the Nationwide Series with Stacy Compton:

- unapproved shoulder harnesses, suspended two races and $5,000 fine
- unapproved window clips, $750 fine

Sprint Cup Series with Johnson:

- improperly installed mounting bolts, $25,000 fine
- unapproved air directional device $1,000 fine
- unapproved refrigerant, $2,500 fine
- car failing to meet height sticks after Las Vegas win (2005), team docked 25 championships points and Knaus suspended for two races, which was later overturned on appeal. Was still placed on 90 days probation and $35,000 fine
- shock absorbers taken by NASCAR after failing inspection following win in Dover (2005), NASCAR announced no penalties, saying team had exploited a loophole. Rulebook was later changed
- rear window fails inspection on 2006 Daytona 500 car. Knaus ejected from Speedweeks and later suspended for six weeks
- unapproved fenders at Sonoma (2007), cars were kept in the garage during the first practice. Knaus and teammate Steve Letarte both suspended for six weeks, 100 points taken away

Last fall in Talladega Knaus was caught on camera telling Johnson that should he win the race he needed to 'crack' the back of the car. He wasn't penalized but NASCAR kept a close eye on the 48 for the remainder of the season. That seemed to have carried over into 2012 when the 48 made news on opening day for the Daytona 500.

The car's C-posts were confiscated and the team made to rebuild that area before the car could participate in practice. The car however, never went through inspection. After Speedweeks was over NASCAR announced a six week suspension for Knaus and car chief Ron Malec, 25 driver and owner point deduction and a $100,000 fine for Knaus.

On their second appeal to Chief Appellate officer John Middlebrook the penalty, all except the $100,000, was completely overturned. Johnson moves to 11th in points entering California and won't have to lose Knaus or Malec. HMS reportedly argued that the car was not only legal but the C-posts have been inspected by NASCAR and used last year on HMS cars.

The ruling has sent shockwaves through the garage. Surprise seeming to be the biggest reaction while others say it was the only fair ruling since the car never went on the track, Johnson didn't gain an advantage. Kyle Petty went as far to say last weekend that the appeals process and those involved didn't know the team, the sport and shouldn't be judging Johnson or anyone else.

Once the appeal was overturned Petty declared how satisfied he was. There are still those however, that are wondering what exactly happened and if Knaus got one past NASCAR. The haters will continue to call him a cheater, others say no harm no foul since the car remained in the garage.

But ...

What if the No. 48 had made it to inspection then C-posts failed, does penalty still get overturned & do some still agree w/ruling? #NASCAR

@cruetten no. only reason I agree w/the penalty being overturned is 'cause it never got on the track. If it had, I would feel differently

@Albee_M no it would not have been overturned, and no I do not agree with the final ruling

@HD388 no way the ruling gets overturned if the 48 fails inspection probably would of made for a tougher punishment given Chad's past history, I agree with the ruling given the fact that the car never made it to inspection & they weren't allowed to sand or grind the C-post down like the other teams though I still am not sure why the fine stood

Monday, February 13th 'What If' Question

Blame it on the milk and cookies.

Had it not been for that now infamous meeting at Hendrick Motorsports between Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus following the 2005 season the two most likely wouldn't have gone on their incredible five-year championship run. The reason is at the time the No. 48 team was going through some internal turmoil and the relationship between Johnson and Knaus wasn't what he once was, they no longer were seeing eye-to-eye.

After blowing a tire in the season finale at Homestead, finishing 40th and failing to overtake Tony Stewart for the '05 championship tem owner Rick Hendrick sat the two down. It was time to put it all out there and get over whatever problems they were having. And yes, they literally had milk and cookies as Hendrick told them if they were going to act like children he was going to treat them like it. The plates even had mickey mouse ears.

The two hashed it out and the team stayed together instead of splitting up like rumors seemed to indicate. A few months later Johnson went out and won the 2006 Daytona 500, with Knaus at home after having been suspended earlier in the week when the car failed post-qualifying inspection. Johnson went on to win a few weeks later at Las Vegas, then Talladega before earning his first win at the Brickyard and Martinsville on his way to his first NASCAR championship.

Everyone knows what happened in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 before Tony Stewart came along again in 2011 when Johnson finally had a bad year, at least by the standards that many have become accustomed to. While it's impossible to think that Johnson and company will never win another title, his five year title reign will be remembered the most. That was the time when he seemed invincible, untouchable and everyone's biggest nightmare. He'll go down in NASCAR history and if there's anyone would could match the feat it would be himself.

But ...

What if there was no milk & cookies meeting for @JimmieJohnson & CKnaus before 2006, would their 5yr title run still have happened?

@HarpAmyStabler I think that a championship might've happened. But, maybe not a 5 yr stretch run.

@rcracer20 best ? yet. think chad would be gone and no titles, think chad/gordon would have been unstoppable #ihate24

@cruetten i think if that meeting and every other star hadn't aligned just as it did, there wouldn't have been a five-year run of Cups.

Monday, November 14th 'What If' Question

This Sunday in Homestead-Miami it will be the end of a five-year era.

Jimmie Johnson will not be crown Sprint Cup champion, instead it will be Carl Edwards or Tony Stewart taking home the big trophy. Johnson and team will be looking to preserve a top five point finish instead. Five-time goes out without putting up much of a fight for a sixth straight championship, left in the dust of Edwards and Stewart who have blazed through the Chase and into the finale.

For the past five years Johnson has been at the top of the mountain as everyone else just shook their heads and watched. Some welcomed his accomplishments more than others. Sure, he may have been respected for making history but it didn't make it any easier or fun to watch him do it year after year.

Some will be celebrating not only an Edwards or Stewart championship, but the fact that Johnson won't be winning another. It is a day that some thought wasn't going to come any time soon. After three, then four and especially five, Johnson was expected to just keep going and going. It's why when he wasn't all that spectacular in 2011 and didn't open a can of whoop ass on the competition when the Chase started it was surprising yet welcomed.

It doesn't however, mean Johnson and his No. 48 Lowe's team won't win another championship. They'll come back in 2012 looking to get back to where they belong and add another page to the record books. There are only two other drivers ahead of Johnson in the history books with more championships, Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. It is certainly possible that he could go on to tie and surpass them in that category. He'll have to wait until next year though (something that hasn't been said about him since 2005) before he gets a chance to do so.

But ...

What if @JimmieJohnson comes back in 2012 and wins his sixth championship, will it be more accepted than his five in a row were? #NASCAR

@HarpAmyStabler I think that it depends on if he's dominant or not. If he goes a few years in btwn, then maybe it's okay to break records.?.

@golic_2004 Well the world will not end, as Johnson would need to win 7 straight championships.

@racebird if he and his team wins why wouldn't they be? Takes a team to win!

@ladybug388 I think it will be as a lot of people r now looking at how significant his 5 in a row was

@StrokerAce90 Yes, it would be more accepted. @JimmieJohnson joined twitter, showed #NASCAR fans he weren't vanilla and won over more fans.

@JoJo_6040 Break from JJ winning is nice. For yrs I've said when he doesn't win it, I'd root for him again & I will. Congrts to 5 time!!

Thursday, September 1st 'What If' Question

It may be hard to believe but Jimmie Johnson only has one win thus far this season. That's one, single, uno, coming at Talladega in April when teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. pushed him past their other two Hendrick teammates and a Richard Childress duo on the last lap.

This time a year ago Johnson had five wins heading into the Chase and he would pick up his sixth victory at Dover on his way to a fifth straight championship. Such has not been the case this season as the anti-Johnson fans have been pleased with his shutout of victory lane. Although Johnson is currently tied for the point lead his overall performance hasn't been very Johnson-like.

It's almost like his golden horseshoe, which Kevin Harvick alluded to last year, is gone. Johnson hasn't been dominating races, he's experiencing more bad luck during races, some of which he wasn't able to overcome and at racetracks that he has become known for his performance, he wasn't even on the map. He's appeared more frustrated this year and has gotten into spats with the likes of Kurt Busch and Juan Pablo Montoya.

When the Chase starts however, Johnson will be the favorite to take home yet another title. Yet, right now it's Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch that are mentioned as the favorites. They're the ones with the most wins this season and who are climbing in the point standings. Winning has been great to them and they hope to continue to do so right into the Chase.

Should they or any other driver win races in the Chase, they could take home the title. Many drivers have already said that winning races will be what wins the championship. If that's the case, Johnson and company need to get going because once the Chase does start they'll be amongst the lowest seeds.

But ...

What if @JimmieJohnson doesn't win another race this year, only win being at Talladega in April, can he still win the championship? #NASCAR

@ARosser14 Absolutely. That team can win titles in just about any scenario. Even if he didn't have that inch on Bowyer in Talladega.

@canebrake_123 i hope not we need a new driver to win cup like Carl Edwards

@Talon64 he's won the championship every other way imaginable, just needs to do it with 1 win. So yes!

@VerloreneSohn32 Yes. Of course he can.

@cruetten just saw this. I have to say yes as well.

@14Patti14 He's superman! He can do anything. No really, if he wants it bad enough it will.come

Billy Fellin (via Facebook) I think he's proven that no matter how he does during the regular season, he's capable of winning a championship

Melissa Bauer-Herzog (via Facebook) I believe he can. Even with his "bad" season he's still tied for 1st and they really know how to turn up the heat when the Chase comes around.

Sunday, July 24th 'What If' Question

Oh, it just won't die. It's one thing when non-NASCAR fans start spewing about how it's not a sport and NASCAR drivers aren't athlete but it's entirely another thing when adults and other athletes make that statement.

The argument, are NASCAR drivers athletes, just won't go away. It's never going to either. But the discussion has gotten quite heated the last few weeks after Seattle Seahawks player Golden Tate tweeted during the ESPY's "Jimmy Johnson up for best athlete???? Um nooo .. Driving a car does not show athleticism." His tweet came after seeing the nominates for Best Male Athlete, which Johnson did not end up winning.

In addition to Tate's spelling of "Jimmie" it was clear that he knew very little if not nothing about the sport and its drivers. He was quickly pounced on by drivers, fans and media about his opinion. After tweeting a few more ignorant comments, Tate reversed course and not only apologized but said he did research and felt he had a better understanding of the sport.

It didn't stop the comments from the NASCAR world though. Johnson has invited Tate to a race and a ride along, saying he wants to show him what drivers do. Tate acknowledged he'd like to do that. Then Denny Hamlin stepped up with an offer that many are not only intrigued by but eager to see happen. Hamlin tweeted, "I would like to challenge @showtimeTate at any neutral sport. Basketball, tennis, golf, baseball, hockey. Best of 3 wins. Lets go."

Tate has not yet acknowledged that tweet or responded to Hamlin's challenge. Everyone has since started to move on from the incident after Tate appeared on Sirius NASCAR radio to talk about his comments and Johnson and others talked to the NASCAR media about it last weekend in New Hampshire.

But ...

What if Golden Tate took up Denny Hamlin's best of 3 challenge in basketball, tennis, golf, baseball or hockey, better athlete is..? #NASCAR

@Debbie_Str8Away He would still have splinters from sitting on the bench LOL

@Lady31RCR I think Denny wins the what if question FOSHO!!

@4xLeft Tate played football and baseball at ND. @dennyhamlin would probably take golf, but I'd put my money on Tate in baseball and basketball. Don't know about tennis or hockey.

Mark Eckhart (via Facebook) well isn't Denny a pretty good basketball player, so he'd probably win that if chosen, and he's probably been golfing quite a bit as a racer so I'd take Denny

Monday, April 18th 'What If' Question

Noah's Ark racing. Two-car tangos. Dancing partners. Speed dating.

The list could go on to describe the new style of drafting that has taken over the racing at Daytona and Talladega. Drivers pair up for three in a half to four hours and never leave the back bumper unless they're perfecting the switch. There are no longer big packs of racing where drivers are three and four wide row deep for hours on end where one wrong move can cause a 20 car wreck.

While many can sit and compare and contrast the racing and whether or not they like it, that's a conversation for a different day, there have been fantastic finishes in 2011 with the new style of racing in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series. In the season's first exhibition race, the Budweiser Shootout, the finish had Kurt Busch and Denny Hamlin side-by-side at the line and even though Hamlin was disqualified, it was still a photo finish.

In the season-opening race for the Nationwide Series they too had a photo finish when four cars, two-by-two crossed the finish line with Tony Stewart beating Clint Bowyer. In Saturday's Talladega Nationwide race it could have been a photo finish had the race ended under green. Kyle Busch was being pushed by teammate Joey Logano on the outside while Joe Nemecheck was being pushed on the inside by Brad Keselowski heading into turn three on the final lap.

And then on Sunday it was a four-wide finish with eight cars coming to the line as Jimmie Johnson beat Clint Bowyer by 0.02 seconds, the closet in NASCAR history since they went to electronic scoring. The finish actually ties that of Kurt Busch and Ricky Craven at the Darlington Raceway in March of 2003.

On Sunday there were also again a Talladega record tying 88 lead changes.

It all through the new style of racing that drivers will 'swap' at the last possible time to get a big run on their competitors with a fresh new pushing. In doing so they close the cap to those in front of them and come down to the finish line

But ...

What if Sunday's race was old style plate racing with big packs, would the Aaron's 499 still have ended in a three-car photo finish? #NASCAR
@MattEmbury: Nope, wouldn't of happened

@Talon64: It probably would've only finished 2-wide at best, with the usual spread-out by guys getting every last position possible.

@nathanmedic: Probably. Either way, it would have been exciting for 25 laps and a parade (1x1 or 2x2) for the rest.

@DonRohr: yes

@DRLDeBoer: No

@RoushGirl17: Doubt it. Probably more like last year with two cars.

Monday, April 4th 'What If' Question

When Kevin Harvick won on Sunday beating the favorite son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., he did so without having to go through the Martinsville masters of Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson. Entering the Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 the two had won the past nine races at the speedway going all the way back to 2006 when Tony Stewart was the last driver not named Hamlin or Johnson to capture the checkered flag.

Sunday though started out like a typical Martinsville race. Both quickly found their ways to the front and led laps. Johnson's No. 48 Lowe's team held serve on pit road during many of the early stops and he began to rack up the laps led. After Hamlin's Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Kyle Busch, asserted himself as the one to beat both Hamlin and Johnson seemed content to run in the top five as the laps wound down.

That was until the final pit stops of the day shook up and changed the outcome of the race. When the leaders hit pit road Hamlin lost positions and was dropped from win contention. Johnson was caught speeding and had to restart at the tail end of the longest line, also dropping out of win contention. It left Busch, Harvick, Earnhardt Jr. and Matt Kenseth at the front and in prime position.

Hamlin came home with a 12th place finish and Johnson finished 11th. Not what the NASCAR world is used to seeing from two drivers who usually settle who takes the Grandfather clock home between them.

But ...

What if @JimmieJohnson doesn't get a speeding penalty & restarts 2nd next to Busch, how different does the race end yesterday? #NASCAR

@Talon64: Dale Jr. restarts 4th and probably loses spots. Harvick takes lead like Dale Jr. did and doesn't look back. JJ 3rd.

@ladybug388: It probably would end the same with Kevin winning as he was coming no matter what. Though he would've finished top 3 #NASCAR

Andy Marquis (via Facebook) The Closer still wins!

Matt Wenzel (via Facebook) I agree with Andy.

Wednesday, March 23rd 'What If' Question

Next to Jimmie Johnson, no driver has made more headlines since 2008 than Kyle Busch.

Once he joined Joe Gibbs Racing and the Toyota camp, Busch has been unstoppable in everything he's sat in. He won eight races in 2008 and led the point standings for the first 26 races. In 2009 he won the Nationwide Series championship and in 2010 he started his own Truck Series team and won the owner's championship there.

He's now won 90 races across all of NASCAR's three series. Yet, besides the NNS title in 2009 he has failed to capture a Cup championship and has yet to be a real factor in the Chase fight. Last weekend he again swept the races at the Bristol Motor Speedway and put himself back in the spotlight as some are making him their picks for Busch to dethrone Johnson for the title.

Except the question has again been raised, is Busch outracing himself? Even at 25-years-old, running in all three series has it's downfall and Busch loves to race anything he can. Of course, being damn good at what he does makes that decision come easy, however Busch continually has more success in NASCAR's lower two levels than he does in the Sprint Cup Series.

During the off season the question was raised by yours truly on whether or not Busch would be a better Cup driver if he cut back on the racing that he does in the Truck and Nationwide Series. In doing so, his focus would be only on the Cup Series and who knows what his potential would be. You don't see Johnson running in anything other than the Cup Series and his success has yet to be matched.

Others though say that Busch should race while he can and that his success on Sunday has nothing to do with what he does on Friday and Saturday. That he could have, before NASCAR's new rules, become the first driver to win the championship in Nationwide and Cup in the same year. Then there are some Busch fans that just want to see him race and keep winning because that's where all the fun is at.

But ...

What If Kyle Busch was like Jimmie Johnson - raced/focused solely on Sprint Cup, would he already be a champion? #NASCAR

@Talon64: Probably not, Carl Edwards came close in 2005 and 2008 despite running full time in #NNS.

@smokinace88: Yes I dont want to sound mean here but the more he focuses on Tracks and Nation Wide he'll never win a Championship

@RoushGirl17: Not yet, he still has some maturing to do. He needs to find patience. He needs to find that cool under pressure Jimmie has. Once he finds that, he could be though. Once he gets all of that, he can settle into one series and do it.

@denver2u: No, I don't think he had the maturity to pull off all the wins that JJ has.Moving forward,I think he's a real good contender

@StrokerAce90: No. He's a driver other drivers refer to as an ass, say he races like a clown & claim to owe him payback. It'll never happen.

@cruetten: yes. the same goes for harvick too. they have a lot going on, whereas JJ drives mainly cup and doesn't own truck/NNS teams...

@csigmon12: KY is definately a great driver, but JJ makes what KY does look EASY...Wish BOTH their clutches slipped a little more often

@NancyatStudioN: Nah, While extremely talented, Kyle has not been mature enough to focus on the big picture. All he could see was THIS race, right NOW. This may be changing. If it does, look out. If you think ppl have hated having JJ win all the championships, imagine how it would be if Kyle started winning them.

Sunday January 30th 'What If' Question

Two days after Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson won his fifth consecutive championship and as many still tried to wrap their arms around the concept, team own Rick Hendrick decided to grab some more headlines.

Hendrick announced major changes in his organization for the 2011 season. Three of his four drivers - Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin - would be picking up their driving seat and moving to different teams. Earnhardt Jr. would now be paired with Gordon's team led by Steve Letarte and be driving old 24 cars. Gordon would be moving to Martin's old team led by Alan Gustafson and would be driving old 5 cars. And Martin would be moving to Earnhardt Jr.'s old team led by Lance McGrew to drive old 88 cars.

Everything but the drivers and the sponsors stayed the same. While many were quick to try and point out the change was made because of the continuing struggles of Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick made it clear that he was not satisfied with the performance of any of his teams in 2010. Johnson was the only HMS driver to win a race and in May Hendrick said he felt that Joe Gibbs Racing had caught and passed his organization.

For Earnhardt Jr. he hasn't won a race since June of 2008 and missed the Chase in both 2009 and 2010. Gordon has been winless since April of 2009 but did make the Chase in those two years. Martin has been winless since September of 2009 when he made the Chase but then he too missed it in 2010.

Hendrick decided he wanted to do something fresh, something to give the company another shot in the arm. In doing so he rocked the NASCAR world and made sure there was plenty to talk about during the offseason and heading into the 2011 Sprint Cup Series season.

From the drivers themselves to the media and down to the fan, the opinions of what's in store of HMS this season have been widespread and widely documented.

But ...

What if Rick Hendrick didn't make changes to 3 of his 4 teams, what would you be expecting from Dale Jr, J. Gordon & M.Martin this year?

@cruetten: a mediocre year for Jr, an impressive final year for Martin, and possibly a championship for Gordon.

@StrokerAce90: I'd be expecting Jr to argue with his crew chief, Gordon to give Burton payback & M.Martin to help JJ win a 6th Championship.

Adam Amick (via Facebook) What if Dale, Jr. was worth a crap as a driver? What if Steve Letarte didn't make so many bonehead calls over the past few years? What if Mark Martin had quit when he said he was and someone else (Brad Keselowski) was in the seat? What if Jeff Gordon hadn't hired Jimmie Johnson in the first place? What if? What if? What if? But to answer your question: If there hadn't been any changes, there wouldn't be any changes... (See above)

Wednesday, January 19th 'What If' Question

When year end review videos are put together or yearbooks created, it's very rare that one individual appears over and over and over and over. Very rare that they overshadow some of the biggest stories in their profession. In NASCAR there are normally shared 'big' stories from year to year between a few different drivers and teams.

Jimmie Johnson doesn't like to share.

For the past five seasons it's been all about Johnson. Sure, other big news has occurred but nothing has matched what Johnson and his No. 48 Lowe's team has done. Five straight championships. A Daytona 500, two Brickyard 400s. A Sprint All-Star win. Thirty-five wins, 10 of which came in 2007 in which he won four straight.

He's dominated short tracks, intermediates, superspeedways and finally won on a road course. He's made sure that he goes down in the history books and has yet to give up the spotlight.

Since Johnson has gone on his title streak, we've elected a new president. Brett Favre retired three times. The San Francisco Giants won the World Series and the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup. Michael Vick went to jail for dog fighting, got released and brought the Eagles back to the playoffs.

Jeff Gordon got married and had two kids. Dale Earnhardt Jr. left Dale Earnhardt Inc., came to Hendrick Motorsports, contended for the title and then fell off the map again.

But none of it got near the amount of attention or will be remembered because of what Johnson has accomplished.



But ...

What If @DoubleJ48 didn't dominate 2006-2010 with five straight titles, what would have been the biggest/memorable story(ies)? #NASCAR

@cruetten: Edwards and Hamlin winning their first championships, and Gordon winning his fifth

@NancyatStudioN: Well, for one, JG would have at least one more title...OOPS, that's if they hadn't had the Chase

@ARosser14: Jeff Gordon's fall from relevance, 2007 aside.

@BigBankHank18: I listen to Sirius NASCAR radio, and over the last 5 years there have been far more Junior and Kyle Busch calls then Jimmie

@Talon64: Mark Martin getting his first championship at the age of 50 would've been the biggest of the last 5 years.

@StrokerAce90: The stories would probably be about Jr & his ongoing troubles, driving past his pit w/out looking, arguing w/crew chief ect.

Jason Remillard (via Facebook) Jamie McMurray winning all the big races

William Duane Cox (via Facebook) Jamie McMurray's "comeback" was a big surprise, for sure!

Monday, January 10th 'What If' Question

He's not the most hated man in NASCAR but if Jimmie Johnson keeps winning championships he might start to become one.

Now a five-time Sprint Cup Series champion, a five consecutive time champion, Johnson and his No. 48 Lowe's team led by crew chief Chad Knaus have the look of can't be beaten. Since entering the Cup Series in 2002 the due have won 25 poles, compiled 203 top 10s, 53 wins and five titles.

Johnson has been called the great driver in NASCAR history or at least in this generation. Knaus has been called one of the great crew chiefs in the sport. He's also been called one of the great cheaters as well. But whatever they're being called it hasn't slowed them down and they will go down in history as one of the most dominate teams the sport has ever had.

Or any sport since that matter.

Of course, the doubters have always been there. Saying Johnson is nothing without Knaus and vice versa. Beyond doubters have been those who blame Jeff Gordon for giving Johnson a ride in the first place when he approached him back in 2001 during a Nationwide Series race.

At the time, Johnson was a no-named Nationwide driver that had one win in 81 starts. Gordon gave him a shot in the Cup Series and Rick Hendrick paired him with Knaus.

The rest they say is history.

But ...

What If Chad Knaus and Jimmie Johnson were not paired together in 2002, where would Johnson be in terms of accomplishments today? #NASCAR

@jlaracefan14 that is a very good question. #nascar

@Talon64 About 25 wins and one championship, either 2006 or 2009. Which means Mark could be a champ, Jeff 5-time. #NASCAR

@NancyatStudioN I don't know, but I wish JG would have gotten him instead.

@cruetten if the two never got hooked up, JJ would still be a mediocre driver in the NNS series

@denver2u He's talented as a driver,and with the same racecar setup..probably would have won at least 1championship,possibly 2.

@StrokerAce90 Pretty sure JJ wouldn't be at the level he is at today. (he & Chad click very well together) Maybe two Championships at best.

@NewKing48 The same. #fivetime

@ronsracing88 I think he would have a lot of wins, maybe not as many championships.

Monday, December 20th 'What If' Question

With 15 laps to go at the Phoenix International Raceway in mid November, Denny Hamlin was "sitting pretty."

He had just racked up the 10 bonus points for not only leading a lap but the most laps and was running second behind Carl Edwards. His Chase competitors, Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson were well behind him and just about out of the championship hunt thanks to Hamlin making sure they hadn't led a lap all day.

All he had to do was get to the checkered flag and he would be 60 points or more ahead of the two drivers heading into the season finale in Homestead-Miami. His first ever Sprint Cup Series championship was in his grasp, he could see it, taste it and feel it.

Then it was gone.

With 12 laps to go Hamlin was called down pit road by crew chief Mike Ford. Not wanting to gamble on fuel mileage and risk losing the championship lead, the 11 team pitted and went from potentially finishing second to finishing 12th ... well behind Harvick and Johnson.

The point lead going to Homestead was down to 15 points.

At Homestead Johnson went out and cruised, he started sixth and ran in the top five all day long to capture his fifth straight title. Hamlin's day was a complete nightmare. He started 37th, spun out and damaged his splitter and was never able to keep ahead of Johnson for a long run. He wound up finishing 14th and lost the championship by 39 points.

But ...

What if Denny Hamlin finished second at Phoenix instead of 12th and losing those points. Would he still have lost the championship?

@jerracing7 No. I think he would of won the championship

@WilliamCheerboy No, Clint Bowyer would of won it all.

@ronsracing88 I think Jimmie & Chad still would of found away to win.

@NASCARJeannie NO... he would have saved face and won the Championship. lol

@cruetten JJ and Knaus are the masters of the chase. They would've still won anyway; Denny Hamlin just made it a little easier for them

@ARosser14 His chances would've been better, he likely wouldn't have gotten into a situation where he got spun.

@StrokerAce90 Of course Denny would've still lost the championship. #Nascar's own Magic Johnson would've just pulled out more golden horseshoe power, which in turn would've resulted in Denny doin some "more" big smack talkin, then wrecking due to his own bad created karma.

Tuesday, November 30th 'What If' Question

If at first you don't succeed try, try, try again.

For Marcos Ambrose that's what he's been doing in at road course races since he entered the Sprint Cup Series. As one of the best road racers in the sport, Ambrose is always one of the favorites when the series makes left and right turns either in Sonoma or Watkins Glen. This past year Ambrose was again near the front of the field and looking for his first career win as the laps wound down in the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma.

With less than 10 laps to go Ambrose had the lead and was driving away from the field when the caution came out. Crew chief Frank Kerr told Ambrose to save fuel, just in case more cautions came out over the final laps and a green/white/checkered finish came into play. Ambrose decided to shut his car off and coast around the track.

When he started to go up the hill in turn one however, the car failed to re-fire and he was passed by second place Jimmie Johnson and about seven other drivers. NASCAR ruled that Ambrose had to restart behind all the drivers that passed him as his car sat idol on the track. Johnson moved into the lead and went on to win the race. Ambrose restarted seventh and ended up finishing sixth.

But ...

What If Marcos Ambrose didn't shut car off @ Sonoma under final caution. Would Jimmie Johnson have beaten him for 1st road course win?

@Talon64 Another late choke like Montreal might've still been possible without the stall, but I think Ambrose would've held on to win.

@cruettten i don't think so; but then again, i never thought JJ would win five Championships either. from what i remember, Ambrose was in a pretty good rhythm, and i didn't think anyone was going to catch him that day.

@garrettu88 no, Marcos had the car to beat all day

@alpinedigital Johnson is a closer, you know that!!

@ShaneMCarroll that's an excellent question. Personally I don't think so, and it would have given Denny an even bigger lead going into HMS.

ronsracing88 I doubt it; Macros seemed to have everyone covered that day.

Thursday, November 18th 'What If' Question

This is it.

One race. One trophy. Three drivers. The Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship that began 10 weeks ago in New Hampshire has reached south Florida where 267 laps around the Homestead-Miami Speedway will determine NASCAR's next champion. Denny Hamlin has a 15-point lead over Jimmie Johnson and a 46-point lead over Kevin Harvick.

Will Hamlin complete a magical year that saw him go through knee surgery but win eight races and deliver his first championship? Will Johnson make a comeback and do what has never been done before and win five straight championships? Or will Harvick pull off an unbelievable charge and win his first championship for Richard Childress Racing?

The fans have been anxiously waiting for a week. They've heard all the press conferences filled with smack-talking. They've watched qualifying and practices and started their predictions of who they believe is going to be celebrating at the end of the day. Now they have to sit, watch and wait.

But ...

What If #NASCAR put the championship in your hands, crowning the champ from results on Sunday and a fan vote. Who would you vote for & why?

@mwoodruff8829 I would vote for Harvick all the way He was a great successor to Dale Sr. He has that Intimidating style he had!

@cruetten my vote is for Harvick. I don't care how long he has been in that car, it will forever be Earnhardt Sr's car. #NASCAR

@Talon64 Tough between Hamlin and Harvick, but I'd go with Hamlin. I'm a JGR guy and I'd like to see Toyota get first Cup. #NASCAR

@TJIngerson Harvick..Rooted for him since Day 1 in Cup..Earnhardt fans will burn the stands down if he wins, storybook ending

@StrokerAce90I vote JJ. He endured so much unnecessary grief & crap from the 11 team & their fans over a #Nascar allowed pit crew swap.

@victoria_29 easy I'd vote for the person that actually won the championship @KevinHarvick

@NancyatStudioN I'd vote for Harvick He was pts leader b4 chase & would be leading if no chase. Plus, I like him the best.

@racecrazy denny-because im tired of vanilla ice cream and I hate Harvick

@ladybug8848 Johnson as he has shown he can drive up front and hasn't backed down from his previous years

@MisanAkuya Kevin Harvick be big for Richard Childress racing 1st title outside of Earnhardt yet in the car he used to drive