Johnson Wins Cup... Again...

Isn't it funny how when someone dominates a sport, after a length of time, some fans like that athelete less.  In racing, it has been Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon.  Now, and probably for many racing fans before now, you can add Jimmie Johnson.

In other sports it is the same.  In baseball, what team is hated by more fans than the Yankees?  In tennis it was McEnroe, in college football it has been Miami, USC and others, and in golf, Tiger.

For the most part, in racing, the dislike of a successful driver is tied to respect.  In the case of most, later in their career, most fans cheer for their return to victory lane.  In my case, there were few drivers I disliked more in the 1990's than Rusty Wallace and Jeff Gordon.  Everyone can tell by that remark that I was a huge Earnhardt fan.  I disliked those drivers because their periods of success in essence meant less wins for Earnhardt.  In Wallace's last few years, and now with Gordon, I have grown to respect the drivers and often hope for their success.

Not sure yet when I will feel this way for Johnson, but it has not come yet.

Don't get me wrong.  Jimmie Johnson will go down as one of the greatest champions of Nascar.  Top 5 for sure, top 3 maybe.  I have a deep amazement for what he has been able to do.  Now its time for a break.  Then again, unless someone BEATS the 48, the break will not come, which, I'm sure, Johnson hopes does not happen.  Congrats to the 48 team... and on to 2011.  Who will stop the fix for 6? " Bueller...Bueller....?"

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New Driver in the Blue Deuce

After Homestead there will be a new driver in the blue #2 Dodge.  Brad Keselowski will swap rides with Kurt Busch and take over the flagship car of the Penske stable.  I am sure there are many reasons for this change, such as sponsors wanting new faces and a need to shake some things up at Penske to possibly help achieve much needed success.  But I am sure one of the main reasons for this move is personality!

When Busch moved to the #2 from the #97 Ford, he was regarded as a somewhat hardnosed driver.  He had been having regular front bumber repair on the #97 due to beating it on the rear bumpers of other drivers such as Jeff Gordon and Jimmy Spencer.  Since his move to the #2, Busch has mellowed a bit.  Marriage, along with discipline from NASCAR for causing trouble, have, along with age, made a change in his personality.

Hopefully Keseslowski will be allowed to show his personality behind the wheel of the #2, which I believe will be more like that of Rusty Wallace.  I also think that Penske may find Keselowski is the best chance he currently has to obtain what he wants which is to take the #2 to a Cup title.  It may be a couple of years away, but if the pieces come together, it may just happen.

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