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Some tidbits on a Tuesday-

If the old point system was in place (instead of The Chase which was designed to add suspense to the end of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season) Jimmy Johnson would still be in first place today. However, instead of Mark Martin having a slim chance of catching him, Johnson would be only 13 points ahead of Tony Stewart and 56 points ahead of Jeff Gordon, and Sunday’s season finale at Homestead would be meaningful. 

Is NASCAR about racing anymore? Jamie McMurray is 22^nd in points and has no ride for next season. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is 25^th in points and sells the most souvenirs of any driver, and will once again be part of the Rick Hendrick stable.

While 2009 seemed bad with lay-offs and team mergers, the effect was muted somewhat by teams that had long term sponsorship deals still in place. Many of those deals are ending after next Sunday, and rumors are flying of many more lay-offs coming in the next few months. Some are saying 2010 may be the toughest season ever for NASCAR.

I have to agree. Even Mark Martin does not have full sponsorship for the entire 2010 season. Martin is currently second in point standings in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, has a fistful of wins this year, and is one of the most respected drivers in the sport. If Martin can’t find full sponsorship, the Sprint Cup series aka Goose That Laid the Golden Egg is in need of more than just a flu shot-it is sick, sick, sick.

This item has nothing to do with the last five words of the sentence above. Really, I am not suggesting you use any of those words to describe NASCAR’s CEO. Attorney’s for Brian France (aka little Brian according to the NASCAR Chick blog) have filed to keep all records of his divorce case secret. Normally such records are public documents. France and his wife of four years are splitting up. Not sure why the word ‘trophy’ just popped into mind. Anyway, according to a member of another branch of the France family who was stopped by police for street racing his Lamborghini and found to be in possession of a white powdery substance, “the France family runs Daytona,” so maybe the records won’t go public.

NASCAR sold the land it owned on Staten Island for $30 million less than it paid for it. And a track in New York was such a good idea too. Now if they would just give up on Los Angeles and do the same with their Fontana, CA property, millions of race fans would be delighted.

If you are a contrarian like me, if you don’t necessarily agree with the NASCAR party line spouted by TV commentators, go to www.frontstretch.com. The site produces well thought out posts that hardcore fans will appreciate, especially those core fans who feel like NASCAR has shafted them in the past few years.

I have complained enough for one day. Tomorrow-what it takes to be a champion. No, the blog will have nothing to do with having Chad Knaus as crew chief. It is back to grass roots racing. Thanks for stopping by.

Tags: jimmy johnson, nascar, nascar sprint cup series