Full Throttle

Is it safe to say Jimmie Johnson is not only on track to win his third Cup title in three years but also the team has solved whatever problems they had on 1.5-mile tracks throughout most of the year?

It wasn’t easy, J.J. withstood a last lap charge that saw Cousin Carl swipe the lead briefly only go into a turn too hot, slide up to brush the wall and finish a close second.

Those two were followed by fellow Chasers Biffle, Gordon (Who was sick as a dog), Kenseth, Harvick and Burton. The string of contenders was broken by Ragan, Allmendinger and Sadler in eighth through tenth respectively.

The Dinger obviously enjoyed his last ride for Red Bull - who wouldn’t with nothing on the line - and grabbed a top ten with a “go or break” attitude. Too bad teams with the wherewithal to offer him a competitive seat in 2009 have full dance cards.

One last note. Kurt Busch finished in 30th place two laps down to Johnson.

Nothing unusual you say? Not exactly, although 30th is a bit under his average finish in an undistinguished year for the 2004 Cup champ.

Something else was in play Sunday.

Kurt’s Penske Dodge carried the marquee’s brand new R6P8 NASCAR engine across the line with him, the first time the power plant has been used in anger.

“Our teams started working with the new engine early in the calendar year (2008). It started with engines on the dynamometer followed by mid-week testing with the engines in actual racecars,” said Mike Delahanty – Senior Manager, Dodge Motorsports.

Question, was that an “actual racecar” that finished 30th, two laps behind the leader, following 7 other Dodges with the old engine under the checkered flag?

IN OTHER NEWS YOU CAN LOSE: Jacques Villeneuve was in action behind the wheel of a stock car this weekend. Specifically, a V6 Volkswagen Passat.

By invitation no less. How the mighty have fallen.