Gettin Loose...11/20

Well that's a wrap! Jimmie Johnson wins the championship part 3. I predicted at the beginning of the chase that he would finish third and for that I am in idiot. There was no reason to pick him not to win and there is no reason not to pick him to win next year too. The tracks are the same, the cars will be the same, the team is the same, everything is the same. The competition might be a little better because Carl Edwards was damn close this year but it's going to be incredibly hard for me to pick someone other then Johnson again next year.

This brings me to my next point. Something has to change in the chase. Jimmie Johnson is a great driver and he has a great team but I really think that him winning three in a row is hurting NASCAR. This year especially because everyone knew the title was his with 3 races left. People stop watching when they know who is going to win, even in NASCAR. I don't think changing the tracks is a real good idea because they are all pretty much the same excluding the road courses and I definitely don't want them involved.I have thought of two changes that might make it a little better and more competitive.

First: Have a bigger spread in point values between places. Not just from first to second. This would give the guys a better chance to make some points up if they do have that one or two bad finishes during the chase. It might not have mattered this year with the way the 48 team ran but at least its a step in the right direction.

Second: During the chase have the chase drivers have their own points system. For example if a guy finishes last in the race he finishes 12th among chase drivers and doesn't lose as many points. This would make it ultra competitive. There would have to be a good size spread within the positions but it wouldn't make those bad finishes so bad. You would be able to make a mistake or two and you would be fine.Those are my two ways to change things up just to make it interesting again.

I really think NASCAR needs to do something or else it will begin to start losing fans and that wouldn't be good. It was finally becoming a major sport and to lose its status because it doesn't make some changes would be silly.

This past season was a tale of two seasons. The regular season was dominated by the 18 team and Kyle Busch and then the playoffs by the aforementioned 48 camp. There are some major changes happening next season with the biggest one so far being the combination of Ginassi/DEI teams. I am sure there will be many more to come as I am sure some drivers will change teams and what not.

I really don't have many awards to really give out.

There are only like 3 or 4 you really can give out.

So the 2008 JO NASCAR awards are:

Rookie of the Year: ummmmm, Sam Hornish, I guess. This one doesn't really matter.Biggest

Disappointment of the Year: This is a tie. First, Juan Pablo Montoya finished 25th in the standings. Not good! Second, Kasey Kahne missed the chase again. Soon this guy needs to contend for a championship.

Biggest surprise of the year: David Ragan. This guy was great this year and easily finished as the best non-chaser and definitely made a name for himself. Finished 4th in my Driver of the Year voting.

and finally...

Driver of the Year: This came down to three. Here was my final ranking. 3. Kyle Busch. He had an awesome regular season but when it counted, he fell apart. 2. Jimmie Johnson. When it counted he obviously stepped up. Wasn't a standout during the regular season however.

and the winner is...

Carl Edwards. Was the best throughout the whole season. Second going into the chase and second coming out. Dominated at the beginning of the year and really was the most consistent and best driver of the season.

I personally can't wait for Daytona in February.

I thought this was a great season and I look forward to another one like this one next year.

Remember when Ryan Newman won this past 500. Let's see if he can do it again next year.

Until February, race fans, keep your lugnuts on straight and keep your peddle to the floor.

We'll see you in Daytona in February.