IIRC they mentioned it in the telecast but did not replay it -- wonder if they didn't want to trigger the apocalypse among Jr. nation.

Glad that no one else got caught up in the Hamlin/BK soap at either Phoenix or yesterday, especially on a banked 1.5 oval. NASCAR should have invoked the 5-lap penalty for Hamlin. What's the point of issuing warnings before the race, then when they are disregarded giving a 1-lap penalty which isn't much given the free pass rule? It sets a precedent for this in the future, which I understand may be part of their trying to get more rivalries/publicity.

Two thoughts on rivalries. First, Petty and Pearson managed to have some pretty intense races without slamming into each other, by and large (Daytona '76?). And they need the rivalries to be farther up the food chain; can't imagine the casual viewer tuning into to see what Brad and Denny are going to do today . . .

To sum it up its pathetic. Its the stuff of school playgrounds, its childish for drivers to hold a grudge against other drivers imo.

Well, is all in the hands of NASCAR, isn't it? BK should have been penalized a few times and he wasn't. End of story.

Well, didn't Ron's then wife visited JPM at Sonoma one year? tells you as much.

Im not too familiar with his incidents but I guess your right. But a driver should never go out there to cause a crash. Yesterdays incident could have been alot worse and involved other drivers and possibly causing injury.

I only got into NASCAR this season, before I only kept an eye on JPM news/results. I do remember though several articles regarding people are going to 'take montoya out', 'he has to earn his respect' and that really put me off the sport. Okay, i have got really into it this season but that sort of attitude in that enviroment is dangerous to other drivers and fans. Ive come to really enjoy this season and found a whole new respect for the sport and really appreciate it, but trying to wreck someone because he did it to you is just plain wrong.

Just before this last race starts I would like to take this opportunity to say how much I have enjoyed this thread and the company which it has kept.

Thanks also to OLB for his tireless efforts educating and entertaining the die-hards as well as the uninitiated.

Looking forward to next year already.
Thanks again gang.

Jp

Seconded

Aww I logged in to post a "ARE YOU GUYS READY? HOO-RAH!" post and now you got me all misty-eyed.

Thirded.

Also, you guys ready? HOO-RAH!

For better or worse, that's the way it works in NASCAR. In stock cars it's easier to be dirty racing other guys, since you can do it without damaging your car. To counter-act this, you can either have NASCAR being heavy-handed with penalties for rough driving, or have the culture of paybacks, where the credible fear of the driver retaliating keeps everyone in check. Historically, the second way was used.

One the one hand, this system sounds barbaric, and something more fit for the tribal societies. On the other hand, it has been quite effective; in general, the driving standards in NASCAR are much cleaner than in F1. In F1, you have Schumachers or Webbers constantly doing their homicidal chops, but since they're allowed by the stewards, nothing is done.

Cars rolling off pit road. There will be three parade laps.

Green flag.

Johnson leads lap 1, and can now afford to finish 27th and still win the title.

4th.. ed.

This is it guys.. Last chance to Juan to get a win this year..

JPM: You have NO idea how loose it is. <laughs in a high pitched voice>

Ambrose

Ambrose takes the lead on lap 10, and crosses the line ahead.

YEAH AMBROSE!

tire issues for Ambrose..

Ambrose pits after clipping the right rear against the wall. Johnson retakes the lead.

what I tell you guys,... Speed is already 17th after starting 2nd. JPM just passed him..

Stewart looks strong today.. JPM needs to beat him today if he wants that 5th spot on the championship.

JPM, referring to mears:

Such a dick.

marcos with problems. Thinks it's electrical.

Not blown motor but running on about 2 cylinders. Has tried switching batteries and ign. boxes.

Hi, guys.

I guess this is the worst car JPM has had in chase races.

Let's see if they can improve it.

everyone was pretty much doing the same laptimes..

Hi all...too bad it's the last race already...I'd like to see if Montoya's luck improves!

Agreed--it's been another enjoyable year. Civil, informative and most of all, fun. Thanks guys.


OT--The New Orleans Saints are 10-0!!!!

Juan started to gain some ground.. he was 13 seconds from the leader before pitstops and is now 10 seconds back and just passed Biffle for 13th.

On topic--the Childress cars seem to have found their stride.

Now we are talking...

Up to 11th and one of the fastest on track!

Yep.. Truex is up there too.. JPM fastest lap and up to 11th.

Caution out, Ambrose spun.

Caution...after a litany of complaints about the handling, Juan says "that was a good change. It's a little bit harder to drive but it's faster."

Brian: Want a drink?

JPM: Yes, it's really hot here.

in 11th...out 8th

Juan: that was an AWESOME stop right there.

JPM: For the record, this car is SOOO hot, especially down by my legs.

I have a feeling that once the track gains more grip, little bit loose setup now will work well.

Too bad for Ambrose, he was having great run out there.

Montoya blowing by Stewart.. and just passed Busch.. Home crowd must be going wild..

Shit I should be there right now but the wife said no.. We are going to Europe instead..

Hell...He's Flyin'!!!!
Jp

Come on Juan Pablo, this is your day!

YAY, what a race!

up to 2nd and the fastest car by a ton!

Awesome set of passes by JPM...
THAT's how to drive a stock car.

What ever they did on the pits, he came out like a rocket.. He is going to catch Harvick soon..

I would love to see JPM win!

JJ's "struggles" are right on schedule. It's called sandbagging. Easy top-5 and the win for JJ.

What about the Childress cars. Do they remember now in the final race -although Jeff Burton was also second in the previous one- they are supposed to be fighting with the big boys every race?

more like easy 24th or better for JJ

Caution out, #34 in the wall.

caution. JPM: Forward bite MUCH better now. Still a little tight, but I think with the track getting cooler the forward bite is really coming in.