It is amazing how calm and cool (some would wrongly say Robotic) the guy to the right of these words is right now.
Just 10 races ago, this man had built up an insurmountable 300 + point cushion on the rest of the field and could very easily have coasted to this season's championship had the often dreaded "Chase for the Nextel Cup" never been created.
However, as anybody who followed along with our coverage this season knows, his lead was erased because of the Chase championship deciding formula (as a matter of fact, not only did he lose his advantage, he lost the overall top spot in the standings to teammate Jimmie Johnson because he had won more races in the 'regular season' in just a matter of minutes)
All throughout these 10 weeks, from the time the Chase started to when he regained the lead to the time he lost it for good as Johnson recorded his third and then fourth consecutive victories, Gordon has been given ample opportunities to voice his displeasure and trash NASCAR for costing him a title (make that two, as he would have won another one a few years back had the point system remained the same).
He never did.
Oh sure, he made a suggestion here or there - but this gentleman of the sport never once challenged NASCAR for "cheating him out of a crown" as many fans on our message boards and across the internet have said.
Was he upset that he didn't win the 2007 Nextel Cup Series championship? You bet, but guess what - this guy isn't giving up on his "Drive for Five" just yet.
So if he doesn't feel cheated.....could he really be the biggest loser of this year's Chase?
fIRSTLy, let me state clearly that I have never nor will I be ever, a proponent of the Chase so with that being said, I think Jeff has been cheated out of two Championships that indicated he was by far the best driver over the entire season which is what the championship should be about - there is no way to compare his stats to Dale Sr and 7 championships because there is no comparison to the points accumulation anymore - Jeff was definitely cheated out of this Championship and you might be surprised as to how many fans hate what Mr. (his royal highness) France has done to Nascar - many of us will be watching other sports when our drivers retire of not before because of the format created in which a lead driver loses his points lead going into the last 10 races while everyone else gains - lets see now, Jeff was deducted 300+ points, Jimmy gained 400+ points - yep, really sounds fair to me -
Jimmie just flat out beat him when it counted the most. But I'm sure Gordon is still smiling all the way to the bank because of the good size cheque that is coming his way because Johnson won the championship.
This is yet another reason why I have so much respect for Jeff Gordon. I can't name one other driver, past or present, that would have handled this change in the positive way he has, knowing that it has cost him dearly (in regards to stats). What I really don't understand is: Nascar was on a roll as the fastest growing sport in the country and they came along and made a major change like the Chase. Maybe the new fans of Nascar like it, but those of us that cut our teeth in the 70s and 80s are struggling with it. Most of us concede that without the new format, Jeff Gordon would have likley tied and/or surpassed Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt in championships. With that said, I wish they would decide on how it is going to be and stop making changes every year. It's like being on a ship without a rudder. You can't even compare chase years to each other because the rules are constantly changing. Argh!
I have been a nascar fan for 18 yrs and a dale sr.fan forever.I belive dale sr. would have loved this new format of the chase for the cup because true champions live for the pressure.I never like the old system because the chase could be over with 5 races still to go,that to me was boring.Show me how often in any sport where the best team during the regular season wins the championship,it does not happen that often,yes i know about boston but that is a rarity.Come on people get with the times making the playoffs is one thing winning it is to be a champion.By the way i can"t stand jimmie johnson but he is pretty good and i have a lot of respect for Jeff and was rooting for him.
Jeff Gordon is a champ, but there are other's that are just as good or if not better. YES I mean Jimmie Johnson!!! I know this kid and he is the real deal. He will be amoung the best ever and look out Richard Petty because Jimmie is comming!!!He has excelled at every thing he has do and this is just a little perview. Amd by the way can we get rid of FOX, that don't know anything about the sport. Oh yes I've been here every year, 1959 was the first!!!!!!!!!!
I undrstand the complaints, however he still could have won, yes my racer is JJ but it has been since the start, because of his driving style, so it comes down to JJ's style to JG's style, to win within the rules of NASCAR. Jimmy simply drove his car better than Jeff in the chase (play in the rules)
yes it was jeff gordon..that was robbed once again.. he was the best over 36 races..jimmy was the best over the last 10.. how is that fair? how can you loose a 300 plus point lead again to the chase format and not feel cheated . jeff should be going for # 7 in 08. maybe nascar don't want him to beat the petty and earnhardt records .Jeff Gordon may be the best in a time where the competition is the highest ever. the chase sucks..if it don't change. i will stop watching the first 26 races. for they mean so little..
the chase is a joke!! let the driver that proved himself all season be the champion!! Not the driver that wins the points battle in the last few races.
well .. who says nascar can't pick there champion .. I hate to admit it..but maybe Tony Stewert's commits last year were right ... Nascar is becoming the WWE of racing ...the chase formats sucks .. why even keep stats on top 10's top 5 finshes any more ..they mean the same as finshing 12th. I see this as open wheels racing chance .. to merge and stick there foot in Mr.france's a*s. I am a fan of racing .. this is not racing .this is a 3 hour circle jerk..
Last edited by timstone on February 12th at 11:22 AM.
