Championship battle may not be tight, but Chase still has some intrigue

By Lee Montgomery - Associate Editor
Monday, November 16, 2009
Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson (left) leads teammates Mark Martin (center) and Jeff Gordon by 108 and 169 points, respectively, in the NASCAR Sprint Cup points standings.

Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson (left) leads teammates Mark Martin (center) and Jeff Gordon by 108 and 169 points, respectively, in the NASCAR Sprint Cup points standings.

SceneDaily Illustration
NASCAR Scene (from left, David Griffin, Jim Fluharty, Gary Shook)

Not a single position in NASCAR's Chase For The Sprint Cup changed after Sunday’s Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 race at Phoenix International Raceway, but the standings could still see a shakeup in the final race of the season, next Sunday’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Hendrick Motorsports’ Jimmie Johnson needs only to finish 25th or better to lock up his fourth consecutive championship, and there’s only one other driver who could win the title: teammate Mark Martin.

Jeff Gordon will be eliminated when Johnson starts at Homestead. But Martin and Gordon already sound like they’ve been eliminated by their teammate.

"Those guys are amazing,” Gordon said of Johnson and his No. 48 team. “[Team owner] Rick Hendrick and his organization is the best out there. They have been proving it year in and year out. … So it inspires us over the offseason to try to get better, and we'll look at doing that. And right now we've got one race to go, and we'll certainly look forward to giving those guys all the props and respect that they certainly deserve because they've earned it."

Gordon finished ninth at Phoenix to fall 169 points behind Johnson and 61 behind Martin. But for a four-time champion like Gordon, finishing third in the standings might as well be 30th.

"Yeah, there are a lot of different reasons why we need to run good out there,” Gordon said. “It's not just because we're trying to win the championship; we're also trying to stay within the battle that we have for second. We lost points to the No. 2 [of Kurt Busch], and we lost points to the No. 5 [of Martin], and that's what makes it a little bit more frustrating."

Everyone lost points to Johnson at Phoenix, a week after the Chase drivers gained on him at Texas. Johnson held a 73-point lead over Martin heading into Phoenix, but after winning and leading the most laps, the driver seeking an unprecedented fourth straight title has a 108-point edge.

Martin can still win his elusive first Cup championship, but he’ll need a lot of help. And it’s clear Martin doesn’t give himself much of a chance to make up that much ground.

"I'm pretty proud of what we've done this season,” Martin said. “That's really all I've got to say about it. I'm proud of what we've accomplished."

Johnson and his team are clearly proud of what they’ve accomplished, too, but the driver won’t let himself celebrate yet. He said the Texas race, where he crashed early before finishing 38th, was a good lesson in counting chickens, so to speak.

“After Talladega, there was a big relief we made it through, had a good finish,” Johnson said of the restrictor-plate race where he finished sixth. “I'd be lying if I didn't feel some things, relief, wonder, ‘Man, maybe this is really going to happen?

“Went into Texas, had the carpet jerked out from underneath our feet, finished 38th.”

Johnson said he has been good in the past about not looking ahead, and Texas reminded him not to do it again.

“I'm not one to let my mind wander and think about the possibilities,” Johnson said. “I've always known I've got to go out and race the race, get it done. Maybe it was a good lesson to myself and the team that this thing isn't over.

“With that in mind, I'm not thinking about a party, what I'm saying, what I'm doing. I'll be driving laps. When I go home [from Phoenix], I'm going to be driving laps, what I think I need to do in qualifying trim so I can put my best effort in on Friday. Same thing for race practice on Saturday, and go racing Sunday.”

Behind the top three comes Penske Racing’s Busch, who is 42 points behind Gordon in fourth. Busch has a 74-point edge on Stewart-Haas Racing’s Tony Stewart, who struggled and crashed at Phoenix.

But Stewart has a tenuous hold on fifth, as Earnhardt Ganassi Racing driver Juan Pablo Montoya heads to his hometown track only four points behind Stewart. And Roush Fenway Racing’s Greg Biffle is only 32 points behind Montoya.

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin is eighth, 31 behind Biffle as positions fifth through eighth are separated by 67 points.

Stewart-Haas Racing’s Ryan Newman is ninth, 59 behind Hamlin and 65 ahead of Richard Petty Motorsports’ Kasey Kahne.

Kahne is 44 ahead of Roush Fenway’s Carl Edwards, with 12th-place Brian Vickers of Red Bull Racing buried in 12th, 146 points out of 11th place.
 

Comments

82 responses to "Championship battle may not be tight, but Chase still has some intrigue". Post a Comment.
  1. 1
    minkee2 said:
    Nov 16, 2009 at 3:59 PM

    I almost feel sorry for Gordon. He has to watch the guy he brought into the series win year after year while he has trouble winning a race. I almost feel sorry for Mark too, but feel both of them will have a chance again next year. Hopefully, Mark will have a better start than he did this year. GO JIMMIE!!!

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  2. 2
    juniegirl said:
    Nov 16, 2009 at 4:09 PM

    Martin & Gordon, and even Stewart had great cars up until the Chase started. Funny all of those cars performance have fallen off during the Chase EXCEPT for Johnson. Hummmm?

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  3. 3
    yojoromo said:
    Nov 16, 2009 at 4:34 PM

    Intigue? You have to be kidding. Most boring Chase season ever.

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  4. 4
    arhiatt said:
    Nov 16, 2009 at 5:07 PM

    I'm with you #2. I hate to say it, but I'm glad the season is over. And it is. Has been for several weeks now. Hand Jimmie the trophy and let's be done. The last race is pointless.

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  5. 5
    bigj said:
    Nov 16, 2009 at 5:47 PM

    Boring I'm with you also #2..something is just not right here...

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  6. 6
    Werner said:
    Nov 16, 2009 at 6:29 PM

    even ABC had a hard time finding some racing on the trak...the cars fanned out after the restarts and just made laps once again...at least at Talledega we could see all the cars in one camera shot with the single file racing...

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  7. 7
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 16, 2009 at 7:08 PM

    Boring, Boring, Boring. Rick Hendrick can actually contol 6 cars out there. He can give those cars all equal engines or he can give certain cars engines that are off by more than 5%. If he wants to Give SHR engines that are not up to speed. SHR would never know since they cant touch them since they are sealed units and can only be touched by the tuner who works for HMS.

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  8. 8
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 16, 2009 at 9:57 PM

    #7 Whine, whine, whine. Give it up. Those engines are not sealed at all and you know it. SHR isn't going to purchase an engine and not work on it. What's really boring is being a Kyle Busch fan for the past two years driving his toyuka's. BTW did you forget Stewart won a chase race in one of those sealed engines. Guess it the one for Jimmie Johnson and they sent it by mistake to SHR. Your predictions were extraordinary this year. RPM to toyucka, EGR to JRG. Busch making the chase was the best one. Oh and JGR going to a 4th car next year. How has that 4th car done lately? 9 races so far and 6 Chevy wins. With your predictions maybe you are smoking pot.

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  9. 9
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 16, 2009 at 10:02 PM

    #7 Don't forget to watch real history made next Sunday. 4th Championship in a row and first time a team take the first 3 spots in the championship. What a year for Chevy. Total Sprint Cup domination.

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  10. 10
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 16, 2009 at 10:21 PM

    #8, All leased engines from HMS are sealed and cannot be worked on except for the Carb jetting. Each engine comes with a engine tuner which is there all weekend long. His only job is to monitor that engine. SHR cannot do a thing to that engine.

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  11. 11
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 16, 2009 at 10:27 PM

    Toyota is doing great in the sport. Next year thenew engine will debut and Chevy will still be running what they have now. Ford and Dodge engines will be out and chevy will be behind again. EGR was going to Toyota right up until last week and they still might. JGR is still trying to put together something for David. My predictions are right unlike yours about Brian going to Chevy and red Bull going to Chevy and Brad going to SHR and So on and So on. Chevy hasnt been able to win in the NW or Trucks for the last 3 years. Toyota will rule Sprint Cup with the new engine package.

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  12. 12
    daviclar38 said:
    Nov 16, 2009 at 10:29 PM

    That's right!!

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  13. 13
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 16, 2009 at 11:56 PM

    Hendrick Motorsports Engine lease Program:

    • No engine can be used in competition or testing without an HMS-designated engine tuner, billed at a cost of $800 per day plus travel (including room and board). Team also has to pay for the annual NASCAR license and credential for each engine tuner.

    • Team has to pay for any special labor requests and parts at the standard HMS rate and would have to pay for all spark plugs and oil purchased if HMS did not get those for free through its other contracts.

    • Each engine would be returned to HMS after each race, and only HMS employees would be allowed to tear down the engine.

    • HMS does not guarantee the quality of the engines.

    • If HMS opted to change manufacturers Team could elect to continue the agreement for HMS to provide Chevrolet engines at a 20 percent reduced rate, or Team could cancel the contract with no refunds of any payments that had been made.

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  14. 14
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 12:01 AM

    I think that says it all.And dont forget to read the part of how they dont guarantee the quality of the engine. HMS can control who gets what. If he didn't want Tony to win a championship he could do it with ease. He could give Tony a great engine one week and a engine that was 10% off another week.

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  15. 15
    JrNation_Idiots said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 12:35 AM

    Don't give Chevelle facts MSP. He'll get confused. It's hard to focus at his age.

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  16. 16
    Hateda88 said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 1:55 AM

    Gee Mark Martin is smart. He's stating a fact. No way he can win, Nascar wouldn't let that happen. Jimmie has been their "boy" for awhile now it's pretty obvious. And yet they wonder why people are turning the races off and not showing up GEE?? Why I wonder lol?

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  17. 17
    Rainier said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 7:49 AM

    I can't believe so many people buy into this conspiracy stuff.

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  18. 18
    lgerringer said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 8:38 AM

    What intrigue??????
    You guys have finally drunk the Kool Aid.
    The only intrigue I see is counting the empty seats and watching the TV ratings tank.

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  19. 19
    carldhskm3636 said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 8:52 AM

    MSP makes a valid point. If I was Rick Hendrick would I want my driver to win the Championship and make millions off of it or would I want a satellite team of mine to win? He could manipulate the outcome of a season with those engines.

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  20. 20
    4da88 said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 9:35 AM

    I wish Mr H. would give Jr one of those good engines for Homestead. Im sick of watchin the others do good.

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  21. 21
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 9:43 AM

    #13 Sorry but that doesn't clear it up. SHR is unlike others who lease engines from HMS. SHR has it's own agreement with HMS and as you well stated many times is totally under the HMS umbrella of teams. Plus SHR purchases their engines from HMS, not lease. EGR is going with Chevy next year. According to MWR he has been using the 3rd generation toyota engine. How has that worked out for him?

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  22. 22
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 9:56 AM

    READ CLOSELY AND LEARN, HMS DOES NOT SELL MOTORS. DO YOU THINK THEY ARE GOING TO LET SOMEONE SEE THE SECRETS OF HEAD PORTING AND BLOCK FILLING!

    That's understandable because Grubb and Tony Gibson, Ryan Newman's crew chief, are former Hendrick employees and remain good friends with Duchardt and most top HMS people.

    But in reality, not much has changed. SHR still leases engines and chassis from Hendrick. Hendrick still gets Haas machinery that is integral to its engine department.

    Crew chiefs and engineers from both sides still communicate and help one another as much as possible.

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  23. 23
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 9:58 AM

    Nobody has even tested the new engine yet. especially not MWR. The block isn't even in production yet.

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  24. 24
    novara48 said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 10:18 AM

    #13 - Anyone can throw out what they consider facts. Where are your sources for this info? Without citing any source of what you put up there, it's BS that anyone can state as "fact". #2 - Get over yourself! Tony's performance has fallen off, and so has Jeff's....a little bit. Moreso than anything, those guys lack of performance lately has been due to being at the wrong place at the wrong time as opposed to car performance. And Mark Martin, honestly? His performance has been awesome all year long....including since the chase started. He had that one bad turn of events at 'Dega, otherwise he'd be right up there with JJ in the points. Again, just like the guy on the other page, sounds like sour grapes to me. Have you guys honestly not figured it out yet? The past three years JJ has won the cup and he's done it the same way every year. Don't show everything you've got the first 26 races, save up bringing out the big guns until race 27 at Loudon. During the regular season everyone is trying to prove they've got the biggest one, the 48 team figured out early that you don't have to have the biggest one until the chase starts.

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  25. 25
    keith308 said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 10:19 AM

    Quit trying to make the chase something it never was. Johnson has dominated the last 4 years and I AM SO TIRED of the commentors on TV telling us if the race ended now this would be the points. THIS IS THE MOST STUPID THING THEY CAN SAY AND THEY DO IT EVERY WEEK! Get rid of the chase. Nobody and I mean Nobody likes the chase except Nascar. Look in the stands. There were NO fans in the stands for the truck or Natiowide races at Phoenix. Cup was good but how long will this last. Same thing at Memphis. Nascar had better listen to it's customers before there will be nobody listening.

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  26. 26
    Jimmie48 said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 10:20 AM

    Wow, I´m impressed.... every week you guys come up with fresh, crazy theories to find excuses why your favorite driver/team can't beat Jimmie.

    It's the engines now...sure. I´m looking forward to next year when Jimmie will be en route to the fifth one...I wonder what's the "real reason" behind that will be.

    Ohh and to those who keep repeating that "he's NASCARs boy" nonsense. Think about it for just a second. Why would NASCAR favor a driver that is despised by the majority of fans and who ruins their ratings and ticket sales? Even you have to realise that this makes no sense...at all.

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  27. 27
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 10:56 AM

    #24, That was taken right from a HMS Engine Lease Program Contract. It is the terms under which you lease engines from HMS.

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  28. 28
    daviclar38 said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 11:57 AM

    Motorsportsphoto is absolutely correct. I wonder how much those engines are to lease...the good ones that is?

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  29. 29
    bblue138 said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 12:41 PM

    Congrats to Tony Stewart for winning his first championship as a driver/owner. What an accomplishment! It's been a great few years. Stewart won in '05, Johnson won his first and only championship in '06, Gordon won his sixth in '07 and while he's winless this year, the defending champ Carl Edwards captured his first title in '08. Well, at least that's how it should've been until NASCAR decided to hand out "lucky dog championships" to those who weren't the best during the entire season. Thanks, NASCAR!

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  30. 30
    sstarbraintree said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 12:50 PM

    hers a news flash for all you whiners. Jimmie is the best driver,chad is the best crew chief, HMS is the best team and your favorites are not

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  31. 31
    ROWDY said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 1:17 PM

    2005-Tony Stewart...2006-Jimmie Johnson...2007-Jeff Gordon...2008-Carl Edwards...2009-Tony Stewart...Thanks Brian France for screwing up something that would have kept the fans watching your sport. This isn't Football or baseball. This is racing and we haven't seen it since Matt Kenseth won. I hope you choke on it.

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  32. 32
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 1:19 PM

    #23 Waltrip was on Nascar radio saying how he is using the 3rd generation engine from Toyota. I'm only repeating what he said. You can hedge around the HMS engines going to SHR all you want, and I see you realized who works for SHR and left HMS. Those engines are not sealed. I have been to SHR and for sealed engines they have many exposed parts. You are throwing things out there hoping they will stick, but it's not working. If you think HMS is selling SHR inferior engines now, then please explain how Kyle Busch ran so well in the early part of the year then fell off the charts? Was JRG giving him inferior engines? I read the lease agreement. Do you think HMS is selling JMS sealed engines as well? Lets get back on subject. The reason Jimmie Johnson is winning and will set a new record is because he has the best equipment, CC, and he is the best driver in Nascar. I do see 4 out of the top 5 cars are HMS cars, even lonely Dodge has toyota beat. I can tell you and everyone out there the reason TV ratings are down and attendance is because of one driver Dale Jr. Put him in the chase and watch the seats fill. Kyle Busch isn't putting anyone in all those empty seats.

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  33. 33
    daviclar38 said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 1:48 PM

    WOW Chevelle, you made a huge point that I didn't realize. Man, you are so right . If Dale Jr was in the chase and winning races you couldn't pack another person in the stands.

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  34. 34
    Rainier said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 2:24 PM

    Hey ROWDY post 31, if you are going to talk trash, at least research it first. It took 2 seconds to find it on Jayski.com. How long until you find a brain?
    _____________________________________
    UNOFFICIAL Sprint Cup CLASSIC - the OLD way - Driver Points Standings
    [after Phoenix, race 35 of 36]:
    pos, car#, driver, points, behind
    1) #48-Jimmie Johnson(X), 4996
    2) #14-Tony Stewart(X), 4983, -13
    3) #24-Jeff Gordon(X), 4940, -56

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  35. 35
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 4:44 PM

    RAINER, no matter how much you try you just can't win with certain individuals. The cheating stuff is so old it can drive a sane person crazy. JJ must have been cheating for 4 years now or Hendrick has paid off Nascar for the last 4 years. It's cheating or HMS runs Nascar. How many HMS cars have to be torn down to prove they don't cheat? How many races does Johnson have to win to prove he is the best driver out there? How many improvements has Chad made to make his car improve and not fall off? You don't have to be a Johnson fan to see why he will be making history come Sunday. Besides all the cheating nonsense, we hear how Jimmie gets the best engines. Gordon is half owner of the 48, wouldn't he want the better engine on Sundays? What happens on Sunday may become Nascar history. Instead of putting down Johnson, like him or not, we all should be enjoying it and being able to say we saw history being made in our sport.

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  36. 36
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 4:46 PM

    #33 Yes, the seats would be packed and the rating high if Jr was in the chase and was in a position to win the chase. He has the highest fan base of any driver and who knows next year just maybe his year to pull it off.

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  37. 37
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 4:46 PM

    #32, Ill tell you what. Ill bet you a million dollars that those engines are all sealed. If you want to bet Ill have Rick Hendrick call you up personally and tell you that they are sealed. HMS has never old a engine to anyone. I mean anyone. I talked to John just this afternoon on my Facebook page and he said even if Tony wanted one for his personal street rod they wouldn't sell him one. Once they sell one the secrets that HMS have been working on for years would be lost. So you just keep on thinking that SHR is buying engines. When you get ready to put your money where your mouth is call me.

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  38. 38
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 4:50 PM

    #32, and Michael doesnt know what hes talking about if he said that. The new engine has never made it to a team shop yet. JGR is the first ones to get it.

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  39. 39
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 4:59 PM

    Rick has majority interest in JRM and the cars that are being built for Brad are all built at HMS. JRM isnt doing anything in the NW level at his shop.

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  40. 40
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 5:11 PM

    Rainier, Jimmie Johnson is hurting NASCAR. His fan base is so low you couldn't fill up Martinsville with them. They dont even make much merchandise for him. His 3 Time $110. Jacket has been selling for $30. for the last 12 months and nobody wants them. Now if Tony was winning the Chase, people would at least tune in. Ask anyone at the track if they like seeing Jimmie win his 4th and they will boo him all the way to the gate. History or no History it is not good. Listen to Sirius Satellite to all the callers who have stopped watching.

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  41. 41
    Rainier said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 5:47 PM

    I don't know what to tell you MSP. He is better than the rest at the present time. If that is bad for ratings than what do you suggest? Should NASCAR kick him out because he is too good? Tell your boy Kyle to step it up next season, get out of those minor league cars, and give Johnson something to fight against. I would love to see Johnson and Kyle battle for the title.

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  42. 42
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 6:07 PM

    #40 who gets booed the most Kyle Busch, or Jimmie Johnson? If fans are not watching then why are they calling Nascar radio? What would be the point of calling? If you want to hear boos listen to the fans on Saturday. Kyle Busch isn't the answer to great fan attendance, but Dale Jr doing well is.

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  43. 43
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 6:54 PM

    Rainier, It isn't that he is better driver. Take Chad away and he wouldn't be where he is today. He is a lucky driver that is for sure. Kyles main problem is he only knows how to race hard for the win at that's all he knows. He isn't a points racer. Kyle doesn't get booed at all. Jimmie gets more boos than anyone. Plenty of people dont watch the races and only listen to MRN or PRN. They listen to 128 24 hours a day. I know I listen to it on the plane and as soon as I get in the Truck. Dale has nothing to do with the ratings or the drop off of fans at the track. His fans are there every week. Attendance has nothing to do with Dale or Kyle. It has to do with the Chase and the COT and with the same guy winning the Championship every year. When MA breaks out the 4 time Jimmie apparel at 6pm on Sunday they will be in for another disappointment like last year and the year before and so on.

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  44. 44
    Rainier said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 7:15 PM

    I agree with you on a couple of points MSP, that the COT and the chase have led to the decline in fans. They changed too much too fast and alienated a lot of people. As to Johnson not being a better driver, he is right now. Just like Gordon was when he was with Evernham. The best has to based on results, otherwise its just theories and things that can't be proven. Kind of like boasting about how many jobs you saved. There are no facts or anyway to prove it. Likewise, it can't be proven or disproven to say someone else would be better if Jimmie did not have Chad. Its all about wins and points and Jimmie has both catergories.

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  45. 45
    Rainier said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 7:34 PM

    One more thing MSP, I'm sure you won't agree, but what the hell. The entry of your beloved Toyota into NASCAR on top of the COT and the Chase did not help the decline in ratings or ticket sales. Despite the fact that Toyota probably makes NASCAR healthier financially, many fans, myself not included, saw this as a mortal sin. So on the whole, we got a completely redesigned points system, a new car with a wing on it that can't be adjusted on and appears to hurt competition, and a foreign manufacturer competing all in the span of about 5 short years. I don't know why anyone is wondering why ratings have dropped. It seems obvious to me and it has little to do with Jimmie Johnson. He is just front and center and in the target zone to get the pent up frustrations of fans piled on him.

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  46. 46
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 8:00 PM

    Rainier, If you ride through the parking lots on a Sunday morning you will see more foreign cars and trucks than you will American. In Fort Worth we watched traffic come in on Saturday and 1 in 5 were foreign. Texans love trucks and the #1 truck at the race was the Dodge and second was the Tundra. And all the Tundras had stickers on the rear window that said proudly built by Texans for Texans. Fans identify with drivers and not brands. If Dale Sr was driving a Camry a few would cry but they would support him no matter what he drove. Petty is going back to Ford but only a few Dodge fans are complaining. Bill Elliot has switched back and forth but the old Ford fans still follow him. The wing might not be here much longer unless they can get the roof flap issue resolved on super speedways. The COT is here to stay but if things with the Chase dont put more money in NASCAR's pocket look for some tweaking in the future.

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  47. 47
    Rainier said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 8:27 PM

    MSP, I'm just saying, but I seem to remember a previous thread where I commented on your propensity to make posts about Toyota after each race as if you were rooting for a driver. I said NASCAR was about driver personalities rather than manufacturers and you said: "Its all about manufacturers". Now, when I make a statement that some people(not me) may have been offended by Toyota's entrance into the sport, you say its about drivers and not manufacturers. Which is it? And to your point about 1 in 5 cars at a race being foreign, that means 80% of fans drive american and could be turned off by Toyota.

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  48. 48
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 8:47 PM

    Your right after 2001 I didn't care about drivers. I still dont. I dont care for the Chase either. It throws out all the hard work teams did for the first 26 races and puts to much emphasis on the last 10. The real fans care about drivers and not brands. I see tons of fans on a Sunday morning and they could careless if Joey drove a Camry or a VW. I work for Toyota and I think the Toyota brand is far superior to most of the American brands. Chevy and Toyota sit next to each other at a lot of races. After the races are over everyone tears down and we drive the vehicles on loan to us from the local dealers. Sit and drive a Tundra and then sit and drive a Chevy. You wont buy a Chevy. The same goes for the SUVs and Hybrids.

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  49. 49
    Rowdy4Life said:
    Nov 17, 2009 at 9:05 PM

    Blah, blah, blah. I'm sick of hearing how great JJ and Chad and Hendrick are. NASCAR has turned boring as he||, which I never thought I'd say. The only thing that could be worse is yet another championship for Jeff Gordon aka Mr Perfect.

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  50. 50
    daviclar38 said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 10:15 AM

    Wow! If you look at the points through the old format at this time after 35 races we would have even a better and exciting end to the championship. Someone forgot to add 2004-Kurt Busch, which I believe Jeff Gordon would have won if it had not been for the chase.

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  51. 51
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 10:50 AM

    MSP Either you work for Toyota or you don't. I have a quote from you saying you are retired and don't work for anyone. We are stuck with the COT because Toyota has nothing resembling a stock car. I know you despise SC and Darlington, but you can't deny the dislike for Toyota there. There are signs all over the place saying Toyota sucks. I have seen private parking with signs which say no Toyota's. Nascar fans are going out to purchase a Toyota. If like you say 80% of the trucks are American and 20 Foreign, your numbers say it all. I wouldn't say Toyota is superior with the 3.8 million recall. It's not a floor mat issue at all, as they sure don't use the same floor mat in the Camry, Tundra, and Prius. 53, 3000 Tundra's recalled for failed ball joints. 380,000 Tundra's recalled with the so-called faulty floor mat. I know you will come back with GM recalls but what the heck knock yourself out. The fact is every manufacturer has recalls and Toyota is no better then the others.

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  52. 52
    bblue138 said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 2:31 PM

    @ daviclar38

    You are correct. Gordon would've won by something like 54 that year, over Johnson, not Busch I believe. And he would've won the title in '07 by nearly 400 points over Johnson. the 48 simply wasn't the best team in '07 and shouldn't be a three or four time champion at this point. History isn't being made; it's being distorted.

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  53. 53
    daviclar38 said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 2:54 PM

    BBlue138, it sure is and really too bad, because we would be talking about when Gordon will tie and become 7-Time Champ!

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  54. 54
    Rainier said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 4:25 PM

    If everyone wants to take away championships because of point systems and so forth, take away one of Earnhardt's because Martin lost the championship due to a 25 point penalty. I guess the 3 wasn't the best that year so he doesn't deserve the recognition of 7 cups. You all sound like jealous fools. I guess any wild card baseball team or football team that wins the championship doesn't deserve it either. Sports are played based on the rules. You can't hold a new rule system to old rules because the new rules affect the way the season is approached and the sport is played. It's kind of like the Hawthorne effect. This year Johnson won 3 of 26 regular season (11%) and 4 of 9 in the chase(44%). In 2008 he won 4 regular season(15%) and 3 chase(30%). In 2007 he won 6 regular season (23%) and 4 chase(40%). The point is he focuses on the chase races because it makes sense to do so and is a winning strategy. Quit whining about it.

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  55. 55
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 5:42 PM

    Thats pretty funny since GM had a huge recall in 2009 which was far more serious than Toyotas recall.

    GM recalls nearly 1.5 million vehicles
    due to issues to engine fire risk.

    (CNN) -- The possibility of engine fires has prompted General Motors to recall nearly 1.5 million passenger sedans manufactured between 1997 and 2003, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Monday.

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  56. 56
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 5:54 PM

    And Toyota recall isn't 3.8 million vehicles. Its 1 million vehicles worldwide. A far cry from GMs recalls for the last 10 years.

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  57. 57
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 7:50 PM

    #56 WASHINGTON - Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it will recall 3.8 million vehicles in the United States, the company’s largest-ever U.S. recall, to address problems with a removable floor mat that could cause accelerators to get stuck and lead to a crash. Lot more the a million worldwide... 3.8 million in the US. Check your facts with the Associated Press.

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  58. 58
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 7:52 PM

    Just a bit more. “A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop a vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death,” Miller said.

    NHTSA said it had received reports of 102 incidents in which the accelerator may have become stuck on the Toyota vehicles involved. It was unclear how many led to crashes but the inquiry was prompted by a highspeed crash in August in California of a Lexus barreling out of control. As the vehicle hit speeds exceeding 120 mph, family members made a frantic 911 call and said the accelerator was stuck and they couldn’t stop the vehicle.

    “This is an urgent matter,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement. “For everyone’s sake, we strongly urge owners of these vehicles to remove mats or other obstacles that could lead to unintended acceleration.”

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  59. 59
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 7:55 PM

    Gee I wonder now why Toyota sales have dropped.

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  60. 60
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 8:17 PM

    Reuters
    Toyota October car sales up 5 percent
    Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:58am EST
    TOKYO (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp's global vehicle sales rose 5 percent in October to about 640,000 units, the world's biggest automaker said on Wednesday.
    I dont see a drop in sales!

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  61. 61
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 8:18 PM

    By the way the 18th was today.

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  62. 62
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 8:22 PM

    US sales not world wide.

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  63. 63
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 8:24 PM

    Forbes

    Best selling 2010 automobiles

    #1. 2010 Honda Accord
    #2. 2010 Toyota Camry
    #3. 2010 Toyota Pris
    #4. 2010 Honda CR-V
    #5. 2010 Toyota RAV4
    #6. 2010 Honda Civic
    #7. 2010 Honda Odyssey
    #8. 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
    #9. 2010 Toyota Highlander
    #10. 2010 Toyota Corolla

    Where are all those GM cars? I guess thats why Rick H has 53 Honda and Toyota dealerships and only 10 American dealerships. He knows where the money is

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  64. 64
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 8:29 PM

    Well if there is another cash for clunkers Toyota just gave the American buyers 3.8 million of them. BTW those GM cars showed up in October of this year and just wait until next year. Where did you come up with 1 million recalled? The Tokyo Gazette?

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  65. 65
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 8:32 PM

    Government Motors is history. The Toyota and Honda hybrids are suppose to outsell GMs hybrids by more than a million units.

    The Toyota Prius' 48 mpg fuel-economy rating is not only best in its class, it's the best available in the U.S. for the 2010 model year. The Prius is also the best-selling hybrid car in the world, having sold more than a… million cars since the original model was introduced in 1997. The 2009 Toyota Prius has more trunk space than most hybrid cars (including the Toyota Camry Hybrid), and reviewers say the unique, hatchback Prius makes a stronger environmental statement than other hybrids that are hard to differentiate from their conventional gas-powered counterparts. Reviewers say the Toyota Prius has a roomier interior than the Honda Civic Hybrid (*est. $23,650), and it gets better gas mileage in city driving, but two new 2010 models look to be ever better: the redesigned 2010 Prius, and the lower-priced 2010 Honda Insight (*est. $19,800 to $21,300).

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  66. 66
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 8:38 PM

    The prius does everything plus take off without using the gas pedal. BTW where is the Prius made?

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  67. 67
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 8:40 PM

    Wait until next year. Thats all we hear from people like you. GM doesnt have what it takes to make it anymore in this world. The Camaro wont pay the bills and the Volt is a joke with plenty of problems and too high of a price tag. Why do you think Rick H is so rich. He is a smart man and knows what sells and it isnt the Big 3.

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  68. 68
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 8:40 PM

    Wake up and get off that sinking ship your on.

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  69. 69
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 8:59 PM

    The EPA has released the list of The Top Ten Most Fuel Efficient Cars of 2010
    Sept. 16, 2009

    1. Toyota Prius (hybrid) 51/48

    2. Ford Fusion Hybrid FWD, Mercury Milan
    Hybrid FWD 41/36

    3. Honda Civic Hybrid 40/45

    4. Honda Insight (hybrid) 40/43

    5. Lexus HS250h (hybrid) 35/34

    6. Nissan Altima Hybrid 35/33

    7. Ford Escape Hybrid FWD
    Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD
    Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD 34/31

    8. Smart fortwo Cabriolet (automatic), Smart
    fortwo Coupe (automatic) 33/41

    9. Toyota Camry Hybrid 33/34

    10. Lexus RX450h (hybrid, 2WD) 32/28

    Like I said, GM will never be on Top since they cant build anything that gets good fuel mileage.

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  70. 70
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 9:06 PM

    The only list that GM made this year was the Cash for Clunkers list for vehicles that were most traded in as junk. Their owners went out and bought Toyota's.

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  71. 71
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 9:09 PM

    Now go and list all the gas vehicles and see what you come up with? I'll stay with GM and not feed the Japanese who make all of those Toyota Hybrid's. We shall see about the Volt. All the green lovers will jump on the Volt bandwagon. You have no idea as what the price will be on it. GM hasn't said a word about it's pricing. All you can report on is rumors. Please tell me how the Camaro V6 with 305 HP gets better mileage then the V6 no power Camry?

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  72. 72
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 9:24 PM

    Wow, You should have kept that to yourself. For 18,000 less I can buy a 270 HP Camry that gets better mileage and I can even put 2 people in the backseat. I dont report on any rumors. GM wants to sell the Volt for around 40,000. Nobody is going to buy that piece of junk. Thats why the head guy behind it resigned last month. Get the picture yet. Plus GM lied about the joke of 240 mpg. The EPA told them they cant use that number because its misleading since you have to charge the batteries. Read the reports. All misleading.

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  73. 73
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 9:25 PM

    Now the owners are getting killed for it. I do like your forum post which is 6 years old. The 3.8 million Toyota recall is now, and considered future clunkers.

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  74. 74
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 9:27 PM

    By Joe Benton
    ConsumerAffairs.com
    January 8, 2007
    Consumers saddled with sludge-clogged Toyota engines may soon get some help from the Japanese auto giant under the terms of a class-action lawsuit settlement that covers roughly 3.5 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles damaged by engine oil sludge.
    An engine gummed up with oil sludge can cost thousands of dollars to repair and in many cases must be replaced. The class action settlement could potentially cost the automaker hundreds of millions of dollars.
    The agreement will allow consumers whose claims have been denied by Toyota to submit those claims to a third-party mediator at no cost for binding arbitration.

    Read more: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/01/toyota_sludge_settlement.html#ixzz0XGgvFf6P

    The more you read the more you find out what a junk car Toyota makes.

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  75. 75
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 9:37 PM

    GM Finally Recalls Trucks, SUVs for ABS Problem






    August 30, 2005
    Regional Recalls
    • Federal Court Upholds Regional Auto Recalls
    • GM Regional Truck Recall Stops Short
    • Consumer Advocates Challenge Regional Auto Recalls
    • Consumer Groups Challenge Regional Motor Vehicle Recalls
    ---
    • GM Expands Recall to Fix Truck, SUV Brakes
    • GM Finally Recalls Trucks, SUVs for ABS Problem
    • GM Truck Owners' Complaints


    General Motors Corp. is recalling 804,000 full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles because of potential problems with the anti-lock braking system.

    Problems with the antilock brake system are behind the GM decision to recall vehicles in 14 northern states. Corrosion in the braking system is blamed for more than 200 low-speed crashes.

    A GM spokesman says the problem occurs when salt and other road grime gets into the area covering the antilock braking system sensor near the wheel hub. The problem activates the ABS at speeds much lower than normal, requiring a longer stopping distance.

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describers the problem as an unwanted application of the antilock brake system. NHTSA opened an investigation in late April of more than 1.2 million GM pickups and SUVs in 20 states because of questions about the antilock brakes. The investigation is still underway.

    Vehicles involved in the recall include the Chevrolet Avalanche and Silverado pickups and the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe SUVs. The GMC Sierra pickup and Yukon and Yukon XL SUVs are also affected. All 804,000 vehicles trucks are from the 1999-2002 model years, NHTSA said.

    GM says there have been 228 crashes reported through the end of May, including 10 minor injuries.

    ConsumerAffairs.com has received complaints about the problems with GM antilock brakes since 2002.


    GM has over 7 million cars and trucks recalled according to your site Consumer Affairs. I think GM must be junk then also.

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  76. 76
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 9:44 PM

    228 Crashes and I can bring up all the other recalls for GM if you want to go on. Toyota Camry is the #1 car in America for 7 straight years and 11 total. Get it. The American people have spoken and no matter what you say wont change what people think about them. Go to Fort Bragg and if you ride around housing youll see more Toyotas than any other car. I know, we were just there a few weeks ago.

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  77. 77
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 18, 2009 at 9:57 PM

    GM Recalls Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, Saturn Ion

    November 2, 2009

    General Motors is recalling all models because of a problem with plastic supply and return ports on the modular reservoir assembly. The ports may crack, possibly allowing fuel to leak and create a fire hazard.

    The recall affects the following models that were sold in specific states:

    • CHEVROLET / COBALT 2006-2007
    • PONTIAC / G5 2007
    • SATURN / ION 2006-2007

    The Cobalt and Ion recalls are for 2006 vehicles sold or registered in Arizona and Nevada. The recall also affects 2007 Cobalt, G5 and Ion vehicles sold or registered in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada and Texas.

    Dealers will replace the fuel pump module free of charge. Special extended coverage will also apply to vehicles registered in other states where high temperatures are common.

    Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-972-8876 and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or at



    Wow, I see about 15 more recalls left for GM if you want to talk about junk. It seems all the GM recalls are for much more serious matters than the clips that hold the floor mats down in Toyotas.

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  78. 78
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 19, 2009 at 11:07 AM

    Wow, it's not the clips which are the problem. They have taken off without the floor mats in them. It's in the computer system, which will cost Toyota billions. I don't believe GM owns Saturn or Pontiac. What are you talking about several thousand cars? We are talking about millions of Toyota's. Please now tell me you were in Fort Brag. Just try to get through security. I heard of bean counters but never heard of car counters. You sit in parking lots and count Toyota's? That has to be one boring job. Is that your job at Toyota or are you retired as you posted. Going to Homestead? See how many Toyota executives go home crying on Sunday as they watch the Chevy 1,2,3, sweep. BTW where is this new 3rd generation Toyota block? MW says he's been using it. If so another great year for Chevy is in the making. You are right about Rick he is smart. With Toyota, BMW, Honda,Chrysler, and Chevy dealers he picked the winner to do with CHEVY

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  79. 79
    Motorsportsphotography said:
    Nov 19, 2009 at 1:58 PM

    GM doesnt make the Cobalt. G5 or Ion. Thats pretty funny. I wonder why GM tryed to sell a company they didnt own to Roger Penske. I have a Blue and White defense sticker on my windshield and can get into any base. I also have a dependants defense card so I can shop at the base store. Toyota is very happy with leaving Homestead with the Manufactuers Cup for 2 out of 3 Series. 15 wins in Trucks vs 9 Chevy wins. 14 WINS for Toyota and 8 wins for Chevy in the NW series. Nobody has the new Toyota motor unless they stole it. We were just talking about it today and its not even in production. Face the facts that Toyota will be dominant in all forms of Motorsports. NHRA, OFF ROAD, and NASCAR.

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  80. 80
    CrazyClyde said:
    Nov 21, 2009 at 10:04 AM

    lol if toyota has the best engines what was all the complaining about hendrick engines for?

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  81. 81
    SS396Chevelle said:
    Nov 22, 2009 at 12:00 PM

    #79 you are a joke. Now you have a defense card allowing you into any armed forces base. Please get real. Do you actually think they hand out those cards to cowards and draft dodger families? The Marines let you in to count Toyota's? No kidding GM owned Chevy, Pontiac, and the Saturn Ion. You are talking about past recalls which were taken care of by GM. #80 Well stated. All that toyota power and no results in the Sprint Cup. MWR stole the 3rd generation Toyota engine. Toyota has no plans on testing their new engine until Daytona? What a disaster that will turn out being.

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  82. 82
    rowdy18fan said:
    Nov 22, 2009 at 3:44 PM

    i hate jimme he a cheater

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