First, we'd never expect that our salute to driver, Joe Nemechek, and the challenges he faces would become perhaps our most discussed blog so far this year. Hat's off to such dedicated fans who must be riding high seeing the #87 Toyota starting in 13th position. Meanwhile, the #13 car driven by rookie, Max Papis starts in 15th. While Papis has more resources and will stay in the race, it's sad that by the time the first round of pit stops rolls around, once again, the Nemechek family entry will be behind the wall. Who wouldn't love to hear Dave Marcis weigh in on this subject. It was a different sport when Marcis was the struggling independent intent on starting every race. He'd occasionally qualify well with a Childress engine under his hood for helping the Intimidator or his owner in some capacity.
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While this week's front row provides hope for the Chase fortunes for pole sitter, Denny Hamlin and Greg Biffle, what's most noteworthy is who is right behind them in 3rd, Jimmie Johnson. This is the #48 team's time of year to be sure. Juan Pablo Montoya continues to keep his dream alive checking in the 4th spot.
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While last week's starting lineup looked like an All-Star fraternity with mostly "Chasers" in the top ten, this week finds Mark Martin (9th), Jeff Gordon (10th) and Carl Edwards (11th) joining the party along with the others previously mentioned.
Of note is Martin Truex starting 5th and rookie, Joey Logano, starting 6th. Home cooking must agree with Californian, Kevin Harvick, looking for some silver lining in a miserable year starting in 7th.
Tony Stewart, last week's winner who had pushed himself back into the championship picture falls to a 20th starting position. this is not helpful but surely a situation that "Smoke" can overcome while his teammate, Ryan Newman is down in the danger zone in 36th just ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. whose continued failures keep adding up. Sadly, we must conclude that the element that needs the most attention to get the #88 team on track is identifying what's wrong with the equipment immediately under the helmet. Junior simply has lost his competition edge emotionally. Whether it's a lack of confidence, fear, or inability to articulate his situation with his crew, his fate remains one of the most baffling tales for the 2009 season.
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Tracking the remaining chase drivers, Kurt Busch starts 24th followed by Kaseey Kahne in 25th. Brian Vickers who saw his title hopes ruined last week starts in 32nd.
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While this writer would love nothing more than to see Mark Martin finally win his championship, Tony Stewart piloting his own team to the championship or Juan Pablo Montoya making the Sprint Cup trophy an international award would likewise be great stories. While it would certainly be historic, we just can't warm up to a 4th consecutive championship for Jimmie Johnson and the #48 team. He's not the most endearing personality, about as dull as one can get which combined with a touch of self-righteousness and arrogance renders him a tough fellow to cheer for. Something about his efforts remind one of the New England Patriots successful run and that charismatic coach in the tattered hoody on their sideline.
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When looking at the top of the Chase field, it's so much easier to see the ways the Lowes Chevrolet will prevail with at least just enough to be number one when the season ends next month in Homestead, Florida.
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Regardless of where things stand going into the race that will mark the 4th of ten in the Championship round, there's not a single ride that's not a slip into the wall or a blown-engine from being cast aside from the hunt. Starting up front with an experienced organization supporting every move is the best assurance to remain in the fight for the next six races.
There are plenty of things to prove for drivers not in the chase. That's what makes Kevin Harvick's great starting position and Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s further run of misfortune significant as both drivers look to find positives to point them toward starting next year on solid ground. Likewise, team Ford with Jack Roush looks for wins to show the blue ovals can contend in 2010. Where have they been since Matt Kenseth won the first two races.
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Meanwhile, we keep our ears and eyes open for further "Silly Season" developments hoping that there will be no reports of well-known drivers or teams forced out of the picture due to the toxic climate the economy has forced upon the sport. How will announced developments such as the merger between Richard Petty Racing and Yates pull together. Joe Gibbs racing must look for positive developments in what's turned out to be something of an off season for their team. What will be the final makeup for the Childress and Earnhardt-Ganassi stables could remain a work in progress well past the final checkered flag. What will be Mopar's fate with only Penske's operation still slated to run Dodges next year? Surely, it's hard to imagine any existing teams leaving Chevy or Toyota for the Dodge boys.
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NASCAR rolled the dice switching Atlanta's fall date with Fontana for the 2010 schedule. While the move seems to have benefitted Atlanta to some extent, Sunday will determine the health of live top tier racing in Southern California.
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