Since the checker flag waved at Homestead, I have read many "experts" claim that this years class of winless drivers 2008 was a major disappointment.

These are the same "experts" who claimed that Kyle Busch could not be stopped, or that Matt Kenseth would fail to make the chase after a poor start, or that Jimmie Johnson's struggles early in the year removed him as a chase factor. We know how these stories ended.

For that I disagree. I am fan of Jeff Gordon and at times this year, I was ready for 2009. Fresh start, new outlook, leaving 2008 and it's struggles behind.

But one day I was reading an article about how focused this team was and how while even though 2008 was not what Gordon and his fans expected it was still a success.

And that I have to agree. Now you must think I am crazy, no wins; wasn't a factor for the chase or for most of the year but I am still okay with a winless season?

But yes I am. When you look at how far Gordon and his team have come from the Daytona, then yes, 2008 was a success.

From Daytona International Speedway, where he had engine problems late in the race, when he was running well within the top 10 at the time. Or the weepers at California that took Gordon's very dominate car in that event and delayed until Monday the team came home with a disappointing top five finish( yes, I said disappointing top five).

Then there was Las Vegas and a late race wreck that Gordon said was the hardest hit he has ever taken, and probably not one of his smartest moves on a restart.

These are just snap shots of what 2008 has been. He has been either a very good car and has bad luck, whether it be mechanical, or late cautions. Or a bad car and it takes pit strategy to bring that DuPont Chevy home with a decent finish.

As his fan it's tough to watch. I won't lie I had moments when I was ready to call it day and wait till next year. But this team worked hard, and tested and tested.

We saw glimpses of this team at his best. Like at the Brickyard, which has to be NASCAR worst race ever, this team qualified well and practiced well and had it not been for goodyear's tire issues this team could have won their first race there.

Then there is Martinsville where Gordon was involved in a early accident, patiently battled his way through the field and by halfway this team was leading the race.

They weren't Kyle Busch or Jimmie Johnson dominate this year. But they battled hard and by the end of the year even though it was a little to late this team had shown promise of what is to come.

Texas a track where in April, Gordon finished last. One of his worst finishes in his career. November, he came home with a solid top five finish. Phoenix he had a strong car and was moving to the front but a mechanical issue ruined what could have been.

We all want to say Gordon has lost his edge, he's become soft since he started a family, or that he's too old. But none of these factor into racing, if you saw his face after Texas in April and how angry and upset he was. This man has not lost his edge.

If you saw his face after a strong run at Kansas where battled the car and battled the flu and saw how hungry he was.

We expect so much from this driver, we expect him to always be the best and anything less is not good enough.

This team wants more, this driver wants more and his passion and his hunger only fueled me more as fan. It made me not look at 2008 as a major disappointment, but as a chance for this team to prove just how bad they want it. They did just that.

When talk of Gordon's  retirement came up throughout this year, I said, I can't imagine not seeing Gordon on the track, or in victory lane, and while this year we didn't get to see Gordon in victory lane.

I have all the confidence that this team is going to prove all the "experts" wrong in 2009, just because that's what Jeff Gordon has been doing his whole career.

We all know drivers and crews and members of NASCAR community all believe in giving back. In a time of year when giving should be better than receiving I am going to each week look at two charity organizations within NASCAR that do just that; Give back.

The NASCAR foundation core statement is: "The NASCAR Foundation embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and our commitment to serving communities. The Foundation supports a wide range of charitable initiatives that reflect the core values of the entire NASCAR Family. The NASCAR Foundation will use the strength of the sport and its people to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most."

This statement generally represents many of the drivers and crew foundations. Giving back to the community both in their own back yard and ours.

For the sanctioning body this has never been more true. Throughout the season the foundation holds track walks at places like Lowe's Motorspeedway and Dover International Speedway. Where the public can come out and walk on the track that their favorite drivers race at all while raising money for great causes. 

 Many drivers like Kasey Kahne and Greg Biffle and others participate with the walkers signing autographs and being one on one with the fans. Track walks happen early on Sunday or Saturday morning before race activities begin for the day. All money raised go to NASCAR charities to help people in need. The NASCAR Foundation also works with driver charities and helps them raise money too.

Drivers like Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson all work with the foundation to raise money for their specific causes. Which in turn helps all those involved with both groups.

One of NASCAR major success is NASCAR Day.Held in early May with conjunction with the All-star Race at Lowe's. On Friday of race weekend hundreds come together to a phone bank and the fans get to call in and make a donation to your drivers charity or the foundation as a whole.

Throughout the day drivers and crew members also participate by answering phones and talking with the fans as they make donations. A great way for fans and drivers to interact away from pit road. Fans get to dress up and wear their drivers colors to work, school and represent the sport and promote giving back in your own community.

 This is one of NASCAR's most successful programs and this year the foundation raised $1.6 million through donations by fans and corporate dollars. This money goes to building parks,equipment for hospitals, and funding for Victory Junction Gang Camps and much more. All giving back to the people who built this sport; the fans.

Throughout the year the NASCAR foundation holds online auctions, and also has a blood and marrow program. There are countless ways for the fans to get involved with their favorite drivers foundation and make a difference in their own community at the same time.

NASCAR also donates the money collected from any fines issued throughout the season those go to the foundation. So in turn your driver's mistakes end up being turned into  benefiting and helping out a charity in return.  

Giving back isn't just about the holiday season and gifts it's about giving back to our communities and the NASCAR Foundation has found a way to incorporate your passion for the sport and the communities we represents.

For more information on the track walks, auctions and NASCAR Day and how you can give back even in the off season check out www.nascar.com for more information on ways you can give back.

Next week: Victory Junction Gang and the Kasey Kahne Foundation.

The NASCAR point system works like this: The first 26 races are considered the regular season. You are positioning yourself by winning as much as possible and being in the top 12 in points come Richmond.

After the "regular season" the points are reset to 5000 for the top 12 and then you receive 10 points for every win. So, even if are leading the points going into Chase, doesn't mean you will be leading the points as the green flag waves at the first race.

Last year Jeff Gordon dominated the "regular season" only to enter the Chase tied with Jimmie Johnson for wins at Richmond International Speedway. We know the end result while Gordon finished well within the top 10 week in and week out and collected wins himself, Jimmie Johnson won 4 races and left Gordon and his fans wondering what if?

This year, Jimmie Johnson was not the best driver all year long. Once again that goes to Carl Edwards who like Gordon in 2007 is wondering what if?

Not taking anything away from Johnson amazing and historic feat this past weekend, but this writer is not going to lie, Jimmie won the 10 race shoot out, while the most consistent driver settled for second again.

Now, Kyle Busch who like Gordon in 2007 dominated the regular season, only saw his domination quickly end early in the Chase; eliminating his chance to win the title. He might have dominated NASCAR this season but he still doesn't win me over as the clear choice for this years jilted  runner up.

The point system sets us up for this. The  one leading going into the Chase is not   guaranteed a championship with the point reset. Making winning races key. Kyle Busch did just that and he barley finished in the top 10.

I understand NASCAR intent with the new system, making winning a priority but then  you need to find a way to reward the points leader coming into the Chase, even if they are sitting without the most wins which is what we saw last year where Gordon and Johnson were tied for most wins. Yet Gordon led second place Tony Stewart by 317 points and Johnson was in sixth well over 400 points out.

Johnson early season struggles were widely documented and many "experts" had said that Jimmie didn't have a shot at winning  this year. The team  tested and quickly rebounded. I give them the comeback of the year award after their slow start.

Edwards was able to win on every type of track except road courses where Kyle Busch dominated.  Edwards won early in the year, in the middle and the end. Edwards was consistent enough to win under the old system but not good enough under the new.

Maybe rotating races wouldn't be such a bad thing. Every two years or so change up which tracks are featured. That way  other venues get featured in the Chase and maybe draw more attention to the final ten races.

Like the Superbowl. If the big game was played every year at Soldier Field; fans wouldn't be as drawn or as interested as they are now with the current  system.

When things don't change, you get uninterested. The status quo is just not good enough for the fans and that is what the NASCAR Chase has become, and fans want change and want something different and sooner rather than later fans won't stick around to see the same driver win every year.

The Chase formats sets us up for the same story different page scenerio.  The Chase  says little about the competition and more about the point system rewarding the one driver who has the least amount of bad luck in the final 10 and this year that driver was Jimmie Johnson, again.

For race fans the final race of the season is like watching the other boy's of summer walk off the field for the last time.

For some it is celebratory, for others it is heartbreaking. But for all of us, it only  makes us want next year to come that much  faster.

There were many sad moments on Sunday's race. Watching Tony Stewart say goodbye to all of his crew.Watching the fans salute what has been one of NASCAR best crew chief and driver pairings.

The moment when you knew no matter how hard Carl Edwards pushed, Jimmie Johnson was destined to win this championship. A long, hard fought battle that only left you wondering what if?

Many drivers were saying  goodbye to there current teams and organizations. Casey Mears, Clint Bowyer, Tony Stewart, and Ryan Newman all were leaving current teams or organizations to start over with new teams.

There is also the uncertainty that comes with this particular off season. With NASCAR on Friday announcing a ban on testing at sanctioned race tracks. The economic slowdown is not only affecting the fans coming to the races, but the crew members who found out that come Monday morning they would be looking for a job.

Between NASCAR organizing body close to 1000 people will be looking for jobs right before the holidays this year.As fans we forget that we are not the only ones affected by this current economic crises.We have no idea what will come this off season. What further steps NASCAR will or have to take to ensure the longevity of this sport.

There were moments of celebration watching history transform right in front of you. Jimmie Johnson doing something that has only been done one other time in the storied history of this sport.Watching Carl Edwards win his series leading ninth race  but fall short in the championship hunt.

Watching guys like Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick go winless but watch there steady improvement from early struggles this year. Allowing their fans to hope that 2009 will be better than  the  last.

Finally, the one thing we do have during this off season is anticipation and hope for next season. Hope that next year your driver will be the one standing in the rain of confetti come Homestead. Anticipation for what is to come, what will be 2009 season changing event.That will either propel or halt your drivers chase for the cup.

Hope that in this downturn in the economy that we all will find a way work through this. That as fans we  will standby by our favorite sport, driver or organization through the good and the bad.

Sunday evening as the checkered flag waved in Miami. 2008 might be over but 2009 promises to be one of the most historic years in this sports history as we watch what what will happen coming to the green in Daytona.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently commented that shortening the schedule  and starting the race at noon local time would be better for the sport.His comments started a discussion among the fans both at the track andonline.

But is he correct?

His comparison to NFL with there 16 game schedule and how each game keeps the fans hooked, at the end of the season the fan leaves wanting more. With a 36 race season, the year becomes too long, not leaving fans with the same feeling of wanting more.

As a quick reminder the NFL recently began talks of adding two additional games to there schedule and removing two preseason games.Nothing has been decided yet.

So the schedule would look something like this:

30 races in the season. You would take a race away from Loudon, Pocono, Michigan, Fontana, Martinsville and Atlanta. The regular season would be the first 20 races of the year. The Chase would still be the final 10 races.

Speaking of the chase, only the 12 drivers make it to New York, but it's how they get there that counts. You get points for top 10's, top fives in the regular season, continue the bonus for wins.You get points for finishing in the top five, top 10 and even the 15 each week during the chase.. Finishing out side the top 20, you lose points.

The  change I might make if I ran the sport was make the Chase elimination style, like an actual playoff. A driver can get eliminated based on finishes throughout the year not just in the final 10 races.  I think when you make the cut off the top 12, you eliminate the rest of the field.

Including them in this format, would give more drivers a chance at winning it all; instead of the perennial 12.  I would think you would have to include every style of track in the chase, not just the cookie cutter tracks.

Sound good?

Well no, actually in a money driven business like NASCAR this isn't so practical. Everyone of the sponsors on those cars use these 36 weeks to market there product, whether it be in pre-race, during the race and post race, every race is like 334 commercials for every sponsor.

You also have to look at the economic impact of removing a race from the schedule. Tracks that have two races every year can put millions back into the community, from tickets sales, concessions, parking and camping and even souvenir's.

While attendance might be down, removing races from the schedule might have a bigger impact on the cities and states than we even realize.Vendors will lose out also. They line the outside of the track and along the grandstands. Those vendors would lose a full day of business and lose pay.

Jr. commented on keeping the fan wanting more. I agree with him on that, but there are other ways to do that within the sport than eliminating races. Ideas include retooling the Chase, race formats which can include changing qualifying rules, shortening races or even racing more saturday night races.

I think Jr. made some valid points in his comments. NASCAR needs to find ways to keep fans engaged at home as well as the track.

In tough economic times for America's car manufacturers.As price of gas rises and cost of races and t-shirts rise too, NASCAR needs to find a more economically responsible  way to keep the fans engaged and wanting more even at the track, as well as at home.

The only question that remains will NASCAR listen to the fans, as well as the drivers? That remains to be seen.

ypical Texas and Carl edwards proved why Texas is his house. 

Denny Hamlin:Typical Denny Hamlin in 2008; consistently inconsistent

Denny Hamlin scored two top fives in a row.Things were looking up, until Texas where he struggled all day long with handling. Struggled to stay on the lead lap and never recovered. Finishing in 17th and hoping to rally back into top 10 by Homestead.

Dale Earndhardt Jr:  Hendrick teammates tried to work together, but Jr was the odd man out on Hendrick fuel gamble 2008

Jr.'s fuel gamble didn't pay off. Was anyone surprised? Now he sits one point outside the  top 10 in the standings. Hendrick teammates all had similar set-ups at Texas and none of them worked. Junior looking just for some momentum in what has been a disappointing season for a team with such high expectations.

Kyle Busch:Looked more like pre-chase Busch, except he didn't lead a lap.

Kyle Busch is looking for the luck and success he had early in the year. Coming into the chase it looked like he would threaten Jeff Gordon record for most wins in a season, now all he wants to do is make it to New York. Struggling with handling all day, he did stay in the top 10. Coming home sixth on Sunday was a Joe Gibbs Racing team best.

Tony Stewart: Texas was just another example of another Smoke occurrence.

After a right rear tire blowing in practice, Smoke's back up car seemed to be better than his primary car. Until  the green flag dropped where climbed to mid-pack but handling issues plagued this team and he never was able to get his lap back. Finishing 16th. Stewart looking to leave JGR with some momentum.

Matt Kenseth:Late season surge just one to many races to late.

Kenseth looked like the Kenseth of old, but once again he couldn't capitalize. Running in the top 10 for most of the day wasn't enough as his teammate romped the field. Kenseth looking to build on this momentum coming into tracks where he has done well. A ninth place finish isn't a really good example of good he actually was.

Kevin Harvick: Was picked as the dark horse, now he just looking for some more horsepower.

Harvick came into Texas hoping to notch his first win of the season.He never got higher than fifth on Sunday. Struggling with handling on his car for most of the day, the team salvaged a seventh place finish. Another driver, another disappointing season.

Clint Bowyer: Just a little to late in 2008.

Bowyer led laps, and was one of the few cars that ran strong for most of the day.  Finishing well within the top 10. But like the rest of 2008, Bowyer has not been spectacular this chase. Coming home fourth was a good rebound from Atlanta.

Jeff Gordon: A second place finish is 41 places better than April at Texas, and for Gordon that's a victory.

Gordon started the weekend out strong winning the pole, but Saturday practices were a reality check for this team. Gordon led early but didn't lead the last lap. A fuel gamble gave them a better finish than there car actually was.Second place finish is a positive sign.Gordon would be looking just for the slightest improvement at a track where he struggled early this year, if Sunday was any indication this team is finally figuring out this car. A littleto late. 

Jeff Burton:Can't figure out what happened since Lowes; oh yea The Jimmie and Carl Show began.

Burton was hoping Texas would be his shot in the arm he needed.But unfortunately  he fell a lap down and never recovered. His championship hopes have ended and now he has to be wondering "what if?"

Greg Bifle: Still can't figure out how Carl Edwards Stretched his fuel and he couldn't.

Biffle looked confused and somewhat amused when he found out just how far Edwards stretched his fuel. For Biffle Sunday was average. he wasn't very dominant, but he wasn't awful. Biffle is hoping just to stay in touch with the top two coming into Homestead where he dominates. A fifth place finish wasn't something to call home about, but he wasn't alone in that compared to Edwards.

Carl Edwards: When he won the race his first question where did Jimmie Johnson finish?

Edwards just plain dominated at Texas. It should have been expected though. Edwards has found his stride and may be at the right time. Learning how to capitalize on other mistakes is what makes or breaks a championship season.Edwards led the most laps and clearly had the best car, but it took a  major gamble on fuel to pull out this one and cut Johnson lead nearly in half.Maybe this fight isn't over just yet.

Jimmie Johnson: Texas pulled a Texas two step on this team.

Johnson was never a factor. You expected Johnson and team to rebound after the there remarkable Atlanta rebound. Texas was a whole different story. Finishing one lap down in 15th. Johnson realistically can clinch this weekend all he has to do is finish at least in the top seven. But he also can't afford another Texas misstep.

I have to give a  heads  up to Casey Mears with consecutive strong runs. Give this guy some stability and you might see some more wins. Also Jamie McMurray and David Ragan. These guys  stayed on the lead lap and ran well within the top 15 for most of the day.

As the year winds down there is a lot of important racing left. Yes, the championship is on the line really it's a two man race. But their is also the fight to be on stage in New York. Kyle Busch owns the 10th place by just one point over Jr. ,then there's the top 35 and the rookie race.

Many teams are still searching for primary sponsors and even secondary sponsors. Teams that are changing drivers. There is still a lot to be decided in 2008. So stay tuned.

One final thought..I am not a Kyle Busch fan but I thought it was a very classy and respectful thing that Kyle did donating $100,000 to Sam Ard's fund. After tying Ard's Nationwide series win record.He may not be  your favorite driver but you gotta respect the man for doing what he did.

Oh yes, we all know it's election day, so please go out and vote. No matter who you are voting for, this one counts!!

See you in the  desert!!

Jeff Gordon has said he loves the Texas facility, but Texas the race track they have a love-hate relationship. One that came to a head here in early April, crashing in turn four and finishing 43rd. One of his worse finishes in his career.

Texas served as a wake up call for this team. Testing at places like Kentucky and Nashville, tracks that have similar characteristics to  Texas and many of the other 1.5 tracks in the series.

The 24 team has seen steady improvement as far back as Chicagoland and more recently at tracks like Kansas and Lowe's Motorspeedway where they came home with top 10 and top five finishes.

Crew Chief Steve LeTarte discussed early in the week the plan for the 24 team this weekend, going the complete opposite direction than what they had here in the spring. Incidentally, similar setups to  tracks at Kansas and Lowe's.

In recent races at 1.5 tracks they have led laps and have been fairly competitive a goal Gordon spoke about early this season after Texas. In the chase this year Gordon has only two finishes outside the top 10( Talladega and New Hampshire).

A win at Texas would be reward for what many have called a disappointing season, but even without a win coming home with a strong finish is big enough reward and confidence booster for a team that has barely been competitive early this year.

There timing is a little too late for a championship in 2008, but continuing to improve there 1.5 program along with learning the gray areas of this car is key to success in 2009.

Gordon hopes to come full circle this weekend.Texas has been a track where Gordon has been good enough to win or bad enough to wreck and this weekend Gordon hopes to have many first this weekend.

As the green flag waved for Sundays race at Atlanta, I couldn't help but admit that this championship has already been decided. But not in Carl Edwards mind, in the end Jimmie Johnson walked away atop the standings with three to go.

For Kyle Busch he eliminated himself early in the chase. He has been painfully inconsistent at times this chase and never has been a factor. At Atlanta though he fought a tight condition for most of the day but stayed on the lead lap and within the top 10 for most of the day.

He finished in the top five on Sunday but was never a factor once again for the win. It's hard to believe that this is the same team that dominated in the first 26 races and won eight times.

Kyle Busch:Once the class of the field, now just trying to stay relevant.

Denny Hamlin is probably wondering what could have been? After taking the lead form Matt Kenseth on pit road, he cruised, but a myriad of cautions and a car unable to take off on the restart, allowed Edwards to pass him on the final restart.

It wasn't more than four laps before Jimmie Johnson flew by him on new tires. Oh what could have been? In the chase, this season and this past Sunday.A top five finish is still their second in as many races.

Denny Hamlin:First he played second fiddle to Kyle Busch now he is playing second fiddle to the Jimmie and Carl show.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently has been able to finish the race as well as he has started. Until Sunday. He started off pretty good, but as a run continued and the race wore on they fell behind on a adjustment and quickly fell back in the pack. After some pit road adjustments he quickly rebounded until he came back to pit road late in the race.

Jr. relegated to a 11th place finish after some minor damage. Had it not been for that incident a higher finish would have been a reward for a team that is trying to stay as consistent throughout a race as they were early on in the season.

Dale Jr.: Thought he was coming to the start finish line three wide..er..on pit road...

It was a rare occurrence this year, Matt Kenseth on the lead lap and leading the race. But recently this has been a normal occurrence. It seems that Kenseth and crew have found something in this new car that was missing throughout the year.

Kenseth pit crew was on the ball all day long, pulling off quick stops and picking up positions even the lead on pit road. But Matt was no match for his teammate Edwards who forced Kenseth to settle for a fourth place finish which is a victory for a team that only had eight top fives coming into Atlanta this year.

Kenseth: Still playing catch up to Edwards and Greg Biffle, but Sunday was a glimpse of what's to come.

After Talladega I thought for sure Stewart was going to get hot, win his way back into this thing. Boy, was I wrong. After struggling with handling the last two weeks Talladega feels like a distant memory. He fell a lap down and battled to the end to get his lap back and finish in the top 20.

Not typical Stewart like race, and this time at Atlanta he had no one to blame but his crew and car for such a disappointing race. With the year winding down you have to believe that his focus is else where and that is translating on the track. Tough for his fans and even tougher for his team who is still giving 100% while Stewart is distracted.

Tony Stewart: Couldn't wait for the checkered flag just to leave Atlanta for 2008.

Clint Bowyer's glass slipper er..glass wheel finally has broken. He wasn't even a factor on Sunday. Quickly dropping back after the green flag, and never recovering. Finishing off the lead lap, knocked out this contender for good this year. I said many times, Bowyer never made a statement this year in the Chase.

Lackluster finishes and ill handling race cars never gave this driver a shot. Now he looks to 2009 in a new ride and new crew chief. You have to wonder did all this car swapping become a distraction, during the time of a year when these top 12 need to be completely focused on the chase?

Clint Bowyer: It's midnight and this drivers happy ending will not happen at least not this year.

Jeff Gordon is running out of time to win... a race. The championship hopes have ended after Talladega but he till had a couple tracks a win would be possible. Now he has two tracks where he has never won and one track he has won once.

As the green flag dropped, Gordon quickly moved through the field. But as the race track changed the 24 crew fell behind on a adjustment and watched themselves fall back in the field. A much needed caution allowed them to correct there adjustment and charge they way to the front. Never got higher than third and took four fresh new tires on a restart late and settled for a ninth place finish.

The positive in this chase we have seen is that Gordon has been very consistent, and has actually ran the best recently then he has ran all year. But that doesn't quiet the critics who question Gordon's focus, a win would be nice for this team, but continuing to improve with this car as they have is probably a bigger victory.

Jeff Gordon:Still winless this year, but he is probably his own biggest cheerleader..Go Jeff Go!!!

Kevin Harvick is probably glad to be leaving Atlanta, he struggled for most of the day with handling on the car and then was penalized with less than 100 to go for speeding on pit road. Harvick was barely a top ten car that's why he finished 13th. Harvick is among the trio who has yet to win, but his streak could end in the final three races.

With championship hopes over, Harvick is set on winning races and finishing races.The one good things is his streak of consecutive races to still be running at the checkered flag is still intact.

Kevin Harvick: I think I just jinxed him..sorry 'Happy Harvick'

After Lowe's Jeff Burton served noticed, then came Martinsville and Atlanta and Burton watched his best chance of winning a championship all but disappear in two races. Burton struggled all day with handling on this car. He was never a factor and falling a lap down doesn't help. To really end his chances a late race wreck, he finished but barely.

I was really rooting for Burton after Lowe's, but poor setups and poor pit stops hurt this team, now they can only wonder what could have been.

Jeff Burton: He knew after Lowe's, he would have to be darn near perfect, but perfection is hard to get...if your not Jimmie Johnson....

Greg Biffle, started this chase red hot, had a few tough races and now has found consistency; consistently losing points to Jimmie Johnson. Biffle was never a factor on Sunday, he battled a ill-handling car.

He did gain a positions in the end, by taking four tires, but that is no solace to a team that was oh so close a few weeks ago and our now fighting for second.

Greg Biffle:He had a taste of the championship but it quickly went sour.

Carl Edwards is in two championship hunts and won in both races this weekend but still sits in second. Carl Edwards needed a miracle on Sunday he needed Jimmie Johnson not to lead a lap and he needed to lead the most laps. And neither of those two scenarios happened.

Edwards was the class of the field, but he still lost points to Johnson who fell of the lead lap but battled back for a second place finish. Edwards needs to be darn near perfect from here on out and he needs a miracle, he needs Jimmie to make a mistake and he needs to capitalize otherwise come Homestead he will be just watching the celebration from his hauler.

Carl Edwards:Was more surprised that Johnson finished second then that he lost points to the leader.

Jimmie Johnson, there is not much to say, I mean you go a lap down, you battle back all day and end up finishing second and extending your points lead. Just another day at the office for the 48 team.

All this team needs to do is just start each race. They haven't made many mistakes so don't expect that to suddenly change. This team third championship is well within reach.

Jimmie Johnson:Carl Edwards won, but Jimmie Johnson dominated the headlines

Well now that we are heading down the stretch a few things are clear, it's really a two man race and in actuality it's Johnson's to lose. A few drivers who struggled throughout the year have been making good strides recently and may be preparing less for this year and more for next year.

A big heads up to Kurt Busch who struggled mightily last week at Martinsville and came back with a top 10 finish. Jamie McMurray and David Ragan finished strong in the top 10.

There is a lot of things going on in the garage from sponsorship hunts, and streak ending wins and alot of looking to 2009. For many drivers they have looked up sponsors and seats but for some there are still a lot of questions., questions that will be answered in the coming weeks.

Sunday was the final wild card race this season. Yes, there is still chance that at a place like Phoenix that there can be a huge wreck, but realistically it's over.

Kyle Busch can't wait for 2009. After a dominate 2008 "regular season" and disappointing playoff, has Busch wishing it was Daytona already. Martinsville defined Busch's playoffs this year.

He struggled from the beginning, having issues with brakes and ill handling car. Busch was never a factor. Then to add insult to injury he had multiple tire issues which ended his day multiple laps down as he had pit road penalties. The only bright spot for Busch was the checkered flag.

Kyle Busch: Will have to wait till next year; Eliminated.

For Denny Hamlin, Martinsville came at a perfect time. They needed a strong run, and possibly a win. Not only for momentum, but for confidence. Although they never led a lap the Fed Ex team stayed in the top 10 for most of the day. While his teammates had tire issues Denny avoided any troubles and kept his nose clean.

While 2008 chase wasn't what he had hoped, the last few races will be good foundation for 2009.

Denny Hamlin:Stopped the bleeding,for now. Eliminated

Matt Kenseth was never a factor at Martinsville. The team rolled the dice came into pit road while the leaders stayed out and that strategy allowed them to lead some laps, but older tires and a ill-handling car he quickly slipped back. He did have a finish it the top 10, coming home eighth.

2008 has been very disappointing year for this team, and they are running the fine line of not having a victory before the year is out.

Matt Kenseth: Hoping his Packers have a better season than he is having. Eliminated

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said a few years back he was always tired of getting beat at Martinsville by Hendrick Motorsports, and Sunday was no different.Even being a member of this team he still came home second to teammate Jimmie Johnson.

But the 88 team continued  to work  on something they have been criticized all year of; staying consistent throughout the race.They ran well throughout the race andwas a factor for the win in the end.

Jr. ran up front for most of the day and they kept a handle on the car. He was better on the longer runs and late in the race at a short track long runs are very unlikely. I think even though they will not win the championship, this team has made some good ground this year.

Dale Earnhardt Jr:Played second fiddle to HMS once again. Eliminated

After Tony Stewart controversial win at Talladega, we expected him to go on a roll. Well we were surely disappointed. After starting in the top 10, Stewart struggled for most of the day. Having brake issues and tire issues Smoke was never a factor.

Limping home 26th on Sunday, He can only be looking forward to 2009 and trying to forget what has been a challenging 2008. As the final races wind down and Stewart's time at Joe Gibbs Racing ends expect to see a little bit more aggressive Stewart trying to leave the organization that stood by him for 10 years, on a strong note.

Smoke:Just plain tired, of not having a good year.Eliminated

Jeff Gordon said earlier last week that Martinsville was probably his best chance at win, but I think he forgot about Jimmie Johnson. Gordon had a strong car early in the race, passing and leading laps, but as the laps wore down, Gordon began to fade. And his chances of winning for the first time in 2008 did to.

At least they have been consistent. They either have a awful car early in the race and then near the end start to come around,but it's too late. Or they have strong car early in the race and then it falls off towards the end. His best chance to win might have slipped by him, but don't expect him just to roll over.

At the remaining four tracks Gordon has yet to win at Texas and Homestead, who knows maybe that's where his streak will end.

Jeff Gordon:Who knew the teacher can get schooled by the student? Eliminated.

Kevin Harvick had been considered the dark horse in the chase from the get-go. But after Talladega his chances quickly ended. Martinsville has never been his best track, so staying out of trouble was his best chance of keeping pace.

Never leading lap in this race, he was never a factor. As Jimmie Johnson and HMS dominated this race, Harvick watched his run to the championship end at Martinsville.He to has yet to win this year, so the remaining races are all about getting that win and finishing 2008 on a better note.

Kevin Harvick:Like many other drivers Martinsville was just not his race. Eliminated

Clint Bowyer had his shot early in the chase to make a statement. But he never did. Throughout the chase he played follow the leader and never was the leader. He made it into the Chase by the skin of his teeth and he is going to exit that same way.

Bowyer has been in the chase the last two years, but now it's time he makes a stand. Just making the Chase is great but if your not contending for wins like the other 11 drivers, than what's the point?

Clint Bowyer: Still in this by the skin of his teeth..

Carl Edwards has never ran well at Martinsville, so for him a top five finish is a victory.But the bad thing is Johnson ran ahead of him all day and led the most laps, and Edwards never led a lap and let valuable points slip away.

Too many distractions the last couple weeks have mentally taken it's toll on him.He is the final driver with a realistic chance at the championship, but time is winding down. Edwards needs a win at Atlanta to keep pace, other wise he is down for the count.

Carl Edwards: Can't stop believing...

Jeff Burton win at Charlotte was a tease. We thought maybe Jimmie Johnson wouldn't be able to just run away with the title, but then we came to Martinsville. Burton struggled all day long and was never in touch with the leaders. He nearly avoided going down a lap, until he hit pit road.

This was not the run he needed, not at a track where HMS has dominated. Burton's run for consistency might have ended his chance at a championship.

Jeff Burton: Really wishing he had a do over...

Greg Biffle knew that he wasn't going to gain much on Jimmie Johnson this past weekend, but he hoped to keep pace with him. Biffle never led a lap, well if you weren't a HMS driver you probably didn't have shot only under caution.

But Biffle moved up in the standings and if Johnson struggles at all Biffle will be there to capitalize at tracks where he has always ran well.

Greg Biffle:Didn't want to make a mistake this weekned, but never passing Johnson was a big one.

Martinsville was classic Martinsville; Johnson and Gordon battling for the lead numerous times and add in a Earnhardt to the mix and you got a HMS domination. Johnson led the charge and the field for most of the day. Knowing when to push and when to lay back, Johnson methodically picked his way through traffic and expanded his points lead.

Jimmie Johnson is well on his way to third consecutive championship. All he has to do is avoid any trouble, and not have a DNF. Anything can happen but the way the chase has gone for this team, they should be on stage come late November.

Jimmie Johnson:Benefited from a rain out, but that wouldn't have stopped this man on a mission.

Now that the final short track race has past, we look at Atlanta. There are so many things at stake in the final races. While many feel the championship is Johnson's there are a few drivers who would like to have a say in that.

There are win less drivers trying to end there streaks and extend another. There are drivers fighting for rides next year. Drivers racing for pride and racing to leave there teams better than when they started. So there is much more going on than just the Chase.

So just remember keep an eye out for the numerous story lines that get buried with the chase.

As the 2008 season begins to come to a close, Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick and Jeff Gordon all have yet to visit victory lane.

For Matt Kenseth, this team came into 2008 with high hopes. They had a strong run last year, finishing fourth in the overall standings. He ended the year with a victory at Homestead-Miami and hoped to carry that momentum into speed weeks.

In 2007, he had an average finish of 12.9, with an average start of 19.8. So 2008 was suppose to be a bigger and better year for this Wisconsin native. In 2008 as of Martinsville his average finish and start is about 17.1.

Daytona in February was a sign of things to come for the #17 driver and crew. Daytona he started deep in the pack in 28th and finished 36.So far this year he has had engine failures and part failures, pit road penalties.

All factors in why what was suppose to be a great year has been a struggle for this team to stay in touch with the leaders.

Kenseth has also had his share of hard luck. He has numerous times been wrapped up in someone else's mess and taking him out of contention. But many times poor qualifying and inability to keep up with the racetrack has put them in the back of the pack where you run the risk of someone making a mistake and taking you out.

Kenseth is still looking for his first win, and hopes that with that win the team can find it's confidence and find the one thing they have been lacking all year; momentum.

For Kevin Harvick, he has had just an up and down year himself. In 2007 he ended the year in 10th place in the standings. With one win at the Daytona 500, Harvick and co. struggled to find victory lane the rest of the year. With an average finish of 15.5. 2007 was one they liked to forget.

2008 for Harvick carried alot of promise. Harvick had strong runs through the first eight races of the season. Sitting fifth in points, and steadily improving. Soon Harvick  struggled keeping up with the new car and saw his once consistent finishes begin to slide.

Harvick who holds the modern day record for consecutive finishes of running at the end of the race, has yet to fall out of a race completely but his  run came into serious threat most recently at Talladega.

For Kevin Harvick this offseason brings much needed regroup and focus that they seem to have lost in the last two season. This team knows how to win, and when they get hot they can win several races in a few week time span.

Harvick looks to end his winless streak at tracks like Atlanta and Texas where he has ran well.

For Jeff Gordon, he surprised everyone this year; by not winning. After dominating statistically  in 2007, where he won six times and carried an average finish of 7.3. In 2008 Gordon has struggled with the new car relegating him to eighth in the standings.

For this team the tracks that hurt them were the larger 1.5 tracks. They struggled early on finding the right set up  and comfortablity for Gordon. The team has tested more this year than they have ever before and finally you can see all those man hours paying off.

In recent races where events have been held at 1.5  tracks Gordon has not only been competitive, he has been contending for wins. This could be a sign of things to come for the remainder of the season and next year.

Martinsville for Gordon is  most likely his best place to find his first victory. He has never finished outside the top 12 in his career. Matt Kenseth could find victory lane at  Homestead or Atlanta. Kevin Harvick, Phoenix represents his best chance where he has two wins and one pole at the desert destination.

Continued testing for all three of these teams in the offseason to help them build up there infomation on the current car.These three will win this year, it's a matter of when and not beating themselves.

 

Well what a week. From Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards battling in the garage and drivers upset with Kyle Busch for "break-checking"  (Nascar did later say Busch did nothing wrong on the restart). What a week and the points took a major change once again and  next up short track at Martinsville.So here's how the points standings are.

After Denny Hamlin's hard hit at Talladega which included an overnight stay at UAB hospital for precautionary measures. Hamlin just wanted to finish the race on Saturday and stay out of trouble.With his title hopes over within the last couple weeks, it's all about testing for next year. Hamlin and crew are looking just to get as much information on the new car for 2009.

Hamlin wasn't great and he wasn't bad, the team adjusted to the car and the track.A late hit in the wall and Hamlin saw any chance of contending for a win slip away. Coming home in a respectable 16th, was not something to write home about, but for Hamlin he made it through the race without any hard hits.

Denny Hamlin:Eliminated

I said last week that for Matt Kenseth Lowe's was key, if he could maintain position or gain points on the leaders he still had a shot. But after unloading and struggling to find speed on the track. Kenseth saw his title hopes crash; literally. In one of the cautions getting swept up in another mess has been the one consistent aspect to this teams 2009 campaign.

For Kenseth the remaining races will be about testing and learning as mucha s possible about the news cars at the remaining tracks. They are looking for their first win of the year, so there goals will change also now that the championship is out of reach.

Matt Kenseth:Eliminated

For Dale Earnhardt I had already eliminate him last week. But I did expect  him to be racing for wins and racing just as hard as he was early in the year. I think one positive about Saturday night that if you heard the radio conversation between Jr. and his crew Chief Tony Eury Jr.  they were communicating. discussing the car what needed to be done. Which is something Jr. had been criticized for not doing.

What happened was out their control.So just like Hamlin, and Kenseth, Jr will be racing for wins and testing for next year. Using what data they get from the next couple tracks to  apply next year.

Dale Earnhardt Jr:deflated

Kyle Busch has been struggling in the chase. I didn't expect him just to roll over and play dead even though he's out of the championship. After having issues the first three weeks of the chase and coming home with a strong run at Talladega, he came to Lowe's just to gain points and positions in the standings. He was a strong contender for most of the evening, until a late race penalty on pit road, put him one lap down. He battled to stay on the tail end of the lead lap and came home with a top five finish there first in the Chase.

For Kyle Busch, while the chase has been disappointing, he is still battling. But for this team it's about preparing for next year.I don't think this the last we will hear of Kyle Busch in the  Chase this year or in the future. It's all about playing spoiler for this guy.

Kyle Busch: Determined and ticked off but still eliminated

Jeff Gordon, out of all the drivers on Saturday night he had the most eventful night. Brushing the wall twice in the first 10 laps and having to hit pit road and falling one lap down. He battled to get the lucky dog and came all the way from 43rd to first. Leading 46 laps and being off sequence in the pits really ruined this team chance of winning. had there been no caution late in the race, they had plans to stay out. But that's not how Jeff Gordon's year has been going.

I have to say this, in the last couple weeks we have raced at multiple 1.5 tracks. Tracks where thoughout the year this team has struggled. bu in recent weeks they have been somewhat competive, and were it not for brushing the wall so early this team might have had a better outcome. Now for Gordon who lost less than 20 points off the last week and maintained postion, I am going to keep him in the hunt.

By a tiny, tiny margin. Only because Martinsville is one of his best tracks and  anything can happen at this  track. His championship hopes are slim though one mistep and it's realistically over, if not already.Look for Gordon who is also searching for his first win of the year to be strong this weekend, in the early race this year they battled back from an early mishap to lead the race. So this could be Gordon's last chance to realistically win a race this year.

Jeff Gordon:Hanging on for dear life...

After Tony Stewart's controversial win at Tallladega, I was hoping to see smoke just come out and dominate.They carried the most momentum out of any driver. But after leading early and moving up through the field within the first 20 laps, Smoke  and crew attempts to adjust to the car in traffic ruined what could have been. A late pit road penalty put him one lap down, he also battled back to get on the lead lap and finished in 11 th.

With Smoke's tenure ending at Joe Gibbs Racing look to see Smoke go for broke the next couple weeks to end on a high note. Like Gordon his championship hopes are slim. But he also maintained position. So for now he's still in it. But unless he wins at Martinsville, it's time to race for wins and strong finishes.

Smoke: Still seeing fire...

Kevin Harvick had a eventful week. From fighting in the garage to struggling on the track. For him the drama off the track was a distraction.Even with a disappointing finish at Talladega, he had momentum coming into  this week. After strong runs and quietly gaining points his championship run came to a halt this week.He struggled all night long. He was never really wi th the leaders and really never adjusted to the racetrack.

Martinsville is key for Harvick, he can't afford to lose any more ground to the leaders. He needs to stay in touch with them this weekend.If he loses any ground he along with a few others will be racing for wins. Harvick is still searching for a win this year.

Kevin Harvick:Still fighting..fightin mad...

Clint Bowyer who seems to be beside Jeff Burton the most consistent in the chase, yet without a win he has made baby steps on the leaders. Bowyer needs to make a statement this weekend, with a win. Without that he can play spoiler.I am impressed with his run this year, he barely got into the chase, but has quietly avoided troubles and  had good finishes but good finishes won't win you championships just a strong finish in the standings.

Clint Bowyer: Lurking

For Carl Edwards he couldn't wait to leave Alabama. he couldn't wait to come to Lowe's and focus on racing. That was until he saw Kevin Harvick and all Edwards couldn't wait to do was confront Harvick about his comments. With all that distraction this team didn't need what would come next. A electrical issue that stalled the #99 on the track before an early restart. It tool the 16 laps to figure out the issue and at that point what could have been, left them scratching there heads.

Now Edwards is not out of the title hunt,by no means. but he is going to have to be smart avoid issues at places like  Martinsville and Atlanta and he's got to stay in touch with the leaders. He can't have any more distractions at the track and he needs to remain focused.

Carl Edwards:No championship back flips for him, yet

Greg Biffle has cooled off since his hot start to the Chase. But you can't count him out yet. He is still very much alive in this.Coming home in seventh place this weekend was just okay. They struggled with the car,for most of the night. But made some ground and like I said earlier stayed in touch with Jimmie Johnson.

For Bifel he just needs to avoid trouble and run up front which he is highly capable of. This weekend will be key for them also, it's a short track and anything can happen avoiding problems on pit road and on the track will be the key.

Greg Biffle:On standby

Jeff Burton, all year long he's been  right in this thing. He's never fallen out of the top five in points.With his win on Saturday night, he put the field on notice, that this was not just between Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle.I said it last week he needed to win to make that statement. He needs to continue that this weekend.

This is when being Jeff Burton is great, all he has to do is just wait for Jimmie to make a mistake and  he has his chance. I think unlike this year the last couple weeks won't be such a cake walk for Johnson because there are four  other drivers who are withing shouting distance to take the lead.

Jeff Burton:Making his charge..

Jimmie Johnson led some laps but never made a statement at "His House". He finished in a distant sixth after trying to wrestle the lead from Burton on the last restart. For Jimmie he needs to stay consistent and make no mistakes. He has the most to lose and can't afford this late in the season to make silly mental errors. I do think that he needs to keep an eye out on Jeff Burton. Jeff is not just going to hand this title over, he's gonna make Jimmie earn it and that's how it should be.

Jimmie Johnson:Staying ahead of the field.

I have to say this  although guys like Gordon, Stewart and Harvick  realistically don't have a shot at the championship, they are going to play spoiler and two of them are still searching for wins. For Gordon this weekend is probably his best chance in the remaining  races. Martinsville is another wild card. Anything can happen.

I have to give a shout out to Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne, and Jamie McMurrary. These three were the highest non-chase drivers. I was impressed, two of them were Dodges. I hope this is a thing to come for those guys. They are good drivers who deserve the equipment to run up front.

With the season winding down there is no room for patience, for too many drivers to much is on the line. So watch tempers to be flaring this weekend. See you at Martinsville.

So we all know the phrase. “Back to Basics” Bringing Nascar back to the people who really formed this great sport. Us the fans.

Now we all know there have been a few races this year where it’s like watching a frieght train rumble through your back yard.And all we wanted to do was turn the tv off and swear to every nascar fan we could never watch another race again. And we have had our races where the passing was intense, the racing was at it’s best and made you think this is the Nascar I remebered.

So as I was watching the end of the college football game before the race started on saturday, I was thinking what really is “Our Nascar”?

For me personally as a Gordon fan, I can tell you it has been tough to get through the season. When Gordon crashed at Talledega, it was like my hope for a fifth title crashed too. I could have shut the tv off, my favorite driver crashes out early in the race. No point right?

Wrong! even with Gordon in the garage, and the frantically working to get back on track. I couldn’t stop watching. Yes it was Talledega, so anything is quite possible to be honest. But I didn’t stop watchign when Gordon crashed out at Texas early in the year or when he has been barely a factor at times. I couldn’t stop watching.

My mom asks me why I get so excited just watching the races on tv. She said it’s not like you are at the track. It’s not like you are there with the action. All I said was this is what it is about. I don’t need to be there to get excited about race.

I wish I was at the track every week to be honest.But it’s not a reality I get to live. So when it’s on tv or when its on cable i switch on the radio and am glued from green to the checkered.
I scream and yell when Gordon takes the lead, or when he crashes out.

I get excited when a driver like David Ragan has a real shot at winning the race. I love watching guys like Travis Kvapil and Robby Gordon who don’t have the luxury of sponsors every week, come to the track make the races and be competitive.

I am just as disappointed when the best car doesn’t win the race as when Gordon doesn’t win the race. I love watching men act like boys jumping and screaming in victory lane, they are living there greatest dreams of a child.I hold my breath with every hard crash, pit stop and dangerous pass. I love this sport.

I have always wanted to be a writer, I went back and forth between politcs and sports. I was never athletic so participating in sports was never gonna happen. So writing about them is my sport. So when I sit at home and watch my drivers win or lose I get to scream and jump around like a child.

I write a weekly recap of the 12 chase drivers and next year I will actually be continuing that from Daytona through Homestead.I love writing it. I love getting to tell my take on whats going on.

Funny thing when I started writing on here a year ago, it was about connecting with other nascar fans.It was about finding a common place with people who had the same passion as I had. I found that along with some great people and some great conversations.

My writing has grown since I came on here. At least I hope so. But along with that comes for even more passion for this sport.

I hate the end of the year. Well my year goes from Feb-November. I hate the wait in between the last race and speedweeks.Since I started watching this sport, nothing compares to watching 3400 beast turn through turn 4 at Daytona with the checkered flag in sight. it's all or nothing.

So for me My Nascar: Writing with the same passion about ths sport as if I was sitting in the stands every weekend.

So I ask you, what is YOUR NASCAR ?

For Kurt Busch this season has been about living in his brother's shadow and breaking free from behind Ryan Newman leadership roles at Penske. With Ryan Newman leaving  for Stewart-Haas Racing in 2009, Kurt has his chance to be the leader at Penske racing.

The only thing that is holding back this former champion is performance and younger brother Kyle Busch.

Now you are thinking  why would Kyle Busch be holding back his older bother? My answer  while Kurt Busch has been battling all year just to stay in touch with the leaders his brother  was scorching the field and  leaving many to wonder what happened to Kurt?

Kurt has said it in the past, you think I am good wait till my brother hits  his stride. And hit his stride he has. Leaving Kurt Busch struggling to get  his blue deuce anything close to the TV time his brother is getting.

It's not rare to see brothers in racing. NASCAR is a family sport.  Generations race  in NASCARS top division like the Petty's and Allison's and Waltrip's. NASCAR is about passing on racing traditions to the next generation.

Both have the talent and the drive but the difference between the two is performance and equipment.

For Kurt Busch who he himself has won a championship and has until the last two years ran well within the top 10 in this sport. He has become an afterthought in this sport.

The performance at Penske racing is what really drove Ryan Newman to join  friend Tony Stewart newly formed Stewart Haas Racing. Ryan has always been the leader and face of that organization even though he himself hasn't run nearly as competitive as  he did in his break out season of 2005.

I think Kurt choice to not jump ship himself from Penske is the fact that in any other organization he would not be the  number one guy. He would always be the second or possibly third driver on a team.

It's a smart move for him to be honest. He is the face of an organization that needs to to improve. Busch is the perfect person for it. He races hard, no doubt about it. And with every DNF you can see the frustration and disappointment on his face, but you won't hear him bash the organization or call out crew members in the media.

He knows how to play face with the media. So for Penske while losing a guy like Newman is hard. He's got a driver whose passion for this sport hasn't changed since he took his first laps  in the top series.

Kurt has the talent to win races. He has a strong relationship with crew chief Pat Tryson. But the on track performance has garnered this team engine failures, mechanical issues, and lack of overall speed on the track.

Now the new car has played a role for many teams struggling, but there has been progress for those teams. For the Penske Dodges they are struggling to keep there  cars competitive and finish races. In this tough competition  today Penske racing could see the organization itself slip into  becoming a filler team instead of true contender.

Penske also runs the risk of losing sponsorship for his teams. While Kurt Busch is not the most marketable driver in NASCAR, he can keep  sponsors, for now. Sponsors want to see there product on TV. They don't want to hear you didn't finish the race which means you garnered little to none TV time.

Kurt Busch recently said they are focused on next year. Focused on making there cars stronger and more competitive. But they are way behind on other organizations and playing catch up puts you one year behind the rest of the field.

Penske needs to focus on NASCAR if he wants to win a championship, in a field of tough, hungry competitors.For Kurt Busch in the remaining races and in 2009 he needs to display why Penske Racing is not an afterthought and will be contending, simply by finishing the races.

What a wild card race. Talladega did what most expected it to do. Separate the leaders (Jimmie Johnson,Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle) and put the other seven out of reach.

For Denny Hamlin I don't think it matters that he lead part of the race or that he dropped back into 12th in the standings. But in this case he is 335 points behind the leader and with less than six races to go, it will be to difficult to climb. Sunday was really his chance  to take advantage of other chasers issues.

But effectively a blown tire  ended his hunt for a championship. Now don't expect him just to ride around a take laps. Hamlin will be a factor for wins especially at the Martinsville and Phoenix.Thank goodness for the safety in these cars, he could have been injured more severely than he was.

Denny Hamlin:Eliminated

Kyle Busch had a great run going and had moved up in the  points. He was  being smart on Sunday staying out of trouble and avoiding  the first big one, only to be involved in the chaser's big one.I eliminated him last week; and that won't change this week. He is too far  behind to  really have an impact. And unless Jimmie Johnson has a complete breakdown, Kyle doesn't have much of shot. I expect him to be just as aggressive as he was  in the "regular season" We are coming up to tracks where he has ran well.This driver is looking to improve his postion in the standings.

Kyle Busch: Eliminated

 For Dale Earnhardt Jr.  Talladega was suppose to be his chance to make a real run at the top three. For most of the day he ran up front, gaining drafting buddies in guys like Juan Pablo Montoya and his teammates Casey Mears and Jimmie Johnson. B ut with less than 20 to go, it was time to go for broke. And he got swept up in someone else's  mistake. This was huge for Junior.

Last week he already on the edge of  elimination and now this week, I have to eliminate him. He has lost four positions in the last two weeks and it will be too difficult to gain any ground on the leaders. You might see Jr. and company start to look toward next year as the weeks wind down. Don't expect him to just play dead. He will race for wins but it is a little to late.

Jr:  Sorry Jr. nation, Eliminated

Matt Kenseth was minding his own business for most of the day drafting with  the leaders and being patient. He expected the big one. But what he didn't expect was he would  be taken out by his own teammate. After consecutive weeks of strong runs and strong finishes Kenseth watched his title hopes fade quickly as the Alabama summer. Sitting ninth in points while is  improvement from where he started will mean nothing when  one of the top three hoist the trophy.

He can make ground on the guys in front of him but it's a little to late for this team as they sit 245 points out of the lead. I won't eliminate them quite yet. I think he has a couple tracks coming up where he can make some ground. But he has no more mulligans left and if after Charlotte he has gained nothing on the leaders his title hopes are over.

Matt Kenseth:Just hanging on...

For Jeff Gordon this year is one to forget. Not only has he yet to win, he has more bad luck than  necessary. But the good thing is he is competitive on the track for the first time all year. a little to late yes, but it's  good to see him  coming to the track with  good cars and translating that on the track. Sunday for him was one he'd like to forget. he tried  going back in the pack after being shuffled out on a restart to his teammates but when that wasn't working he started toward the front.  A cut tire from David Reutimann and Gordon's day was over.

His finish like the rest of the chasers involved in accidents wasn't indicative of how strong his car was. But due to the melee late in the race Gordon only lost two positions in the standings. His title hopes  are probably over, but like Kenseth his  better tracks are still to come. For the DuPont team they are looking to next year and working on the 1.5  tracks but they still can play spoiler.Like Kenseth looking for there first win, Gordon and company could be eliminated by next week from the  list if they have another problem at Charlotte or gain little to no ground on the leaders.

Jeff Gordon:Has a little hope(and I mean little)

Tony Stewart, now I effectively eliminated him last week. And I wasn't wrong. I miscalculated; Talladega. While Smoke did improve four spots in the standings he still sits 203 points out. and he gained ground on the leaders after the chaser big one. Possibly if not for Carl Edwards mistake Tony would be sitting  in 10th instead of seventh. But I am not going to eliminate him this week. Like Gordon, Kenseth he still has  a little hope of making a run.

He has no room for error at this point  and he can't afford  to lose any more ground to the leaders. After Charlotte will be key. If he has lost any more points his run might be over for good. Look for Stewart though to carry there momentum  from Talladega to Lowe's.

Tony Stewart: Reborn, for now.

The dark horse of the Chase might just have lost his chance. Kevin Harvick was pretty consistent throughout the day, good pit stops, and a strong car. But towards the end at Talladega anything is possible. He lost one position in the standings and still sits within one race of the leaders. It's difficult to gain ground on the top three when you are involved in track incidents. He needs to start gaining points and leading laps and winning, if he wants any chance at a title.

Kevin Harvick: Still alive

For Clint Bowyer(fifth) and Jeff Burton(fourth) they have done something nobody else has been able to do; gain ground on Jimmie Johnson. Taking advantage of other chasers problems these two drivers avoided both big ones and  came out with strong finishes. They did exactly what they  hoped to do just survive Talladega. While they did gain ground o n the leader they also need to win a races and lead laps something neither have done much of in the chase.

While they are still very much in this title chase, they need  to have strong runs here on out and avoid any issues. They can't afford to have any issues the rest of the way if they want to to make a run at that title.

Clint Bowyer: Staying within touch

Jeff Burton: Consistently consistent

For Greg Biffle he wasn't worried about winning all to much just  finishing. He was well on his way until his teammate who he was drafting with got a little to greedy and turned Biffle in front of the field. He sits 77 points out of Jimmie Johnson, and with upcoming tracks where he ran well at Biffle will be a factor in deciding this cup. For Biffle Sunday was about surviving and hoping to avoid the big one. And while he didn't avoid the big one, he didn't lose touch with the leader.

Greg Bifle:Staying relevant

Carl Edwards  quickly became the villain on Sunday. He apologized and apologized to anyone who would listen but the for the guys he knocked out of contention for a win and possibly the title didn't want to hear. At least not right then. He was genuinely sorry for his mistake and didn't blame another driver, he admitted that he pushed to hard. but it all was a little to late. We all know it wasn't on purpose.That doesn't sour the blow to those guys who cars were wrecked.

He lost some ground on Jimmie Johnson but he still very much alive.He needs to avoid rookie mistakes and stay focus at this point he needs every point he can get.

Carl Edwards: Contender

Jimmie Johnson. What can you say goes a lap down early struggles to stay in the draft, avoids the two big ones and come out with a top 15 finish, and increases his lead. We all want to say "it's over" just hand the  trophy to him, but there is still more racing to go and anything can happen.  Lowe's is Jimmie's  house but last time there he struggled with the car. Jimmie can't make a mistake at all. he can't afford to fall a lap down or get caught up in someone else's mess. But after Lowe's some definite test are ahead in places  like Martinsville and Texas.So staying consistent is key.

Jimmie Johnson: Being Jimmie Johnson

Talladega was the real wild card and we have tracks like Martinsville which will play a factor in this chase.  The eliminated can change from week to week depending on how much ground lost or gained except for 11th and 12th place(Busch and  Hamlin). Guys who are not within a race can play spoiler. While the guys ahead of them can't afford any mistakes and guys like Tony, Jeff and Jr. can go for broke and see where they end up.

Wait until next year when this race isn't until November only three weeks before the end of the season. See how the points are affected come next November. On to Lowe's expect to see the usual suspects Jimmie and Carl and Jr. But I think guys like Jeff Gordon who has  recently been making ground on the 1.5 tracks and running well and Matt Kenseth leave nothing on the track. See you in Charlotte.

After three races in the Chase for the Championship, things are starting to get clear. We have a few definite observations from this past weekend.

First, Joe Gibbs Racing has ran out of it's season long domination and have effectively eliminated themselves from contention. Secondly, Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards are the two to beat( but you knew that already) and finally four drivers who weren't a factor all season have suddenly found themselves still in contention and sitting ready for the top two guys to make a mistake.

For drivers Kyle Busch his season has fallen apart. Yes we will remember his pure domination winning eight races and lapping the field consistently. But we will also remember how when the chase started the one driver who preached and led by consistency and equipment has had mechanical failures and part failures in each of three races. Now he sits a 311 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson and we can effectively say he is eliminated.

Now I know he's not just going to roll over and play dead. He's got pride and I am sure he will be a factor to win some races. But if you thought the deficit before was at least giving him a shot before Kansas, this one we all have to agree his quest for a championship is over, until next year.

Kyle Busch- eliminated.

For Tony Stewart, it was Tony Stewart and Brian Vickers who got in his way. He never had a great car, from the moment they unloaded on Friday. He qualified poorly. For many Chase drivers pit road was worse than the on track accidents. Brian Vickers and the 20 crew got in each others way.

On one of the early stops Vickers crew literally ran in front of the Stewart's crew and caused him to loose what little track position he had gained. Then soon after the restart a on track incident with Brian Vickers sent Tony mowing through the grass, causing damage to his Toyota and after delaying the inevitable came in to pit road for repairs and was numerous laps down.

Poor track performance and setups put him in the position to be deep in traffic for most of the day. his finish dropped him four places in the standings to 11th and 255 points behind the leaders. His final season with JGR and Home Depot might be one he wants to forget.

Tony Stewart -eliminated.

For Denny Hamlin once again his issues just seemed off. He ran with the leaders for a while but a ill handling car took his Toyota well off pace and he struggled to make ground on the track and in the standings. He moved up one position only due to Tony Stewart's track issues.

I don't want to eliminate him quite yet. I still think some of his better tracks are coming up. But there are too many guys in front of him that are running well. And sitting 243 points off the pace, will be tough to overcome. For the Gibbs boys they are hoping to dig themselves out of the cellar and finish the season with some momentum heading into Speed weeks.

Denny Hamlin-Hanging on by a thread.

For Matt Kenseth, he once again led laps and qualified strong in third. But a spin when Casey Mears tapped him after a restart he had to fight his way back into the top 10. Finishing in the top five, was a huge rebound for this team. They stayed with the car and kept up with the adjustments. Kenseth is a smart racer and knows his deficit might not win him a championship but with his recent runs finishing in the top five in points is a possibility. He has no room for error