Atlanta NASCAR Recap
Speak Up on Atlanta and NASCAR
Here’s your chance to have your say on the Pep Boys Auto 500 in Atlanta.
Does Jimmie Johnson have the championship locked up?
Was the contact between Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson on the next to last restart just hard racing, did Hamlin spin his tires, or did Edwards shove him out of the way?
Can Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth or Dale Earnhardt, Jr. ever win another race?
And what about the save Denny Hamlin made at the end of the race? One more slip and he would have taken Jimmie Johnson out.
After Jimmie Johnson’s amazing run to 2nd place after running as far back as 30th Sunday afternoon in Atlanta I think you can go ahead and hand him the 2008 Sprint Cup today.
Even Carl Edwards seemed to be in a state of shock when he was told where Johnson had finished.
When ABC Victory Lane correspondent Dave Burns asked Edwards if he saw who finished 2nd Edwards said driver said he did not.
“The 48,” said Burns.
“Are you kidding me? You’ve rained on my parade all day,” said a dejected Edwards. “I could have done without that one.”
Johnson now has a 183 point lead over 2nd place Edwards.
Jimmie Johnson could skip next week’s Texas race and still keep the points lead with a win there by anyone but Edwards.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jeff Gordon still can’t run any better than good — but good is no longer good enough. Earnhardt finished 10th, and Gordon finished 6th. Combined the two drivers have a total of one win in 2008.
Denny Hamlin posted a 3rd place finish after leading late in the race. He was a victim of Carl Edwards’ bumper on a late race restart. “It knocked us down the racetrack. He chose what lane he wanted to be in when he hit us. Once you get the guy on the outside on the restart, it’s over,” said Hamlin
One thing is for sure. The Chase has created a closer race for the Championship. Jimmie Johnson can clinch it next week at Texas. It’s unlikely, but it is possible. It’s more likely he will clinch it the following week at Phoenix. “Man, sure would make the week of Homestead a lot easier for me,” said Johnson.
So what are you thinking about all this with just 3 races to go in the 2008 NASCAR season.
