What a Difference a Year Makes
OK, before I delve into this past weekend's events, I've got to spend a moment or two telling you what happened
last Monday at Talladega.
This time last year, Jimmie Johnson was looking for a place to hide. He had just left Talladega Superspeedway - early - after being credited with starting a 39 car pile up. This year - albeit a day late due to a rain out on Sunday - Johnson isn't hiding from anyone after winning the 12th race in the 2006 Nextel Cup series at Talladega on Monday.
"I got into some situations last year, and I just felt in my heart that maybe I was being too aggressive on the track,'' Johnson said. "I really just stayed cautious. I didn't want to be aggressive. I didn't want to block anybody."
With the win, Johnson has taken both Superspeedway races this year, and has three wins so far.
But the way Johnson won is exactly how to win on a Superspeedway. He ran
under the radar for most of the day, and then made his way to the front when it mattered. He got by teammate Brian Vickers, then leader Tony Stewart, and went on to win. Stewart was second and Vickers third. Jeff Burton had a great run to finish fourth and the first non-Chevy finisher was Jamie McMurray in fifth (Ford).
Jeff Gordon looked like he had a strong car, and that could have been his downfall in the end, something that Gordon talked about after the race.
"We led so much that I knew that we weren't going to get any help," Gordon said. "It was our job to maintain that lead, and
I just wasn't able to do it."
What Gordon is talking about is something that is fairly difficult to see from the stands or on television. When it comes down to the final laps, every driver wants to win, and to do that you sometimes have to help someone in order to improve your position. If you had a strong car, as Gordon did, no one will help you - not even teammates - as it is every man for himself.
Ideally, you try to push a guy forward that you know you are better than in a
one on one situation, and Gordon was so good, he was either going to win or finish 15th - he ended up the latter.
Some drivers fared even worse, not unusual at Talladega. Nine, yes, 9 crashes after only a single lap. Early jostling for position was the problem, with too many cars in one place at the same time. Kasey Kahne took the worst hit - literally - and was not cleared to return to the track after visiting the infield care centre. Other notables involved were Mark Martin and Kyle Busch - and all took severe hits in the points standings. While only Kahne, now fourth, and Martin, now fifth lost spots - Busch stayed in ninth - the gap has really opened up.
OK, before I delve into this past weekend's events, I've got to spend a moment or two telling you what happened
 |
| Dale Earnhardt Jr. arrived with a black #8 Budweiser Chevy in memory of his late father. (Photo: Autostock) |
This time last year, Jimmie Johnson was looking for a place to hide. He had just left Talladega Superspeedway - early - after being credited with starting a 39 car pile up. This year - albeit a day late due to a rain out on Sunday - Johnson isn't hiding from anyone after winning the 12th race in the 2006 Nextel Cup series at Talladega on Monday.
"I got into some situations last year, and I just felt in my heart that maybe I was being too aggressive on the track,'' Johnson said. "I really just stayed cautious. I didn't want to be aggressive. I didn't want to block anybody."
With the win, Johnson has taken both Superspeedway races this year, and has three wins so far.
But the way Johnson won is exactly how to win on a Superspeedway. He ran
 |
| The Ford Fusion's of Jamie McMurray and Matt Kenseth lead the pack through the tri-oval. (Photo: Autostock) |
Jeff Gordon looked like he had a strong car, and that could have been his downfall in the end, something that Gordon talked about after the race.
"We led so much that I knew that we weren't going to get any help," Gordon said. "It was our job to maintain that lead, and
 |
| It's burnout time for Jimmie Johnson. (Photo: Bob LeSieur) |
What Gordon is talking about is something that is fairly difficult to see from the stands or on television. When it comes down to the final laps, every driver wants to win, and to do that you sometimes have to help someone in order to improve your position. If you had a strong car, as Gordon did, no one will help you - not even teammates - as it is every man for himself.
Ideally, you try to push a guy forward that you know you are better than in a
 |
| Jimmie Johnson takes his Alabama victory lap. (Photo: Bob LeSieur) |
Some drivers fared even worse, not unusual at Talladega. Nine, yes, 9 crashes after only a single lap. Early jostling for position was the problem, with too many cars in one place at the same time. Kasey Kahne took the worst hit - literally - and was not cleared to return to the track after visiting the infield care centre. Other notables involved were Mark Martin and Kyle Busch - and all took severe hits in the points standings. While only Kahne, now fourth, and Martin, now fifth lost spots - Busch stayed in ninth - the gap has really opened up.