Mark Martin Said it All in Homestead
“I don’t believe the trophy makes the man,” said Mark Martin. “Tony Stewart, in my eyes, is the greatest race car driver I’ve watched drive in this era. A.J. Foyt might have been that when I was a little boy, but Tony Stewart is my driving hero.”
Very high praise from someone who should know and everyone respects. It is also an indication of the type of man Martin is after again failing to win his trophy, both on the day and in the Chase.
Tony Stewart did what he had to do, when it was necessary. But his workman like finish of 15th must have Jimmie Johnson wondering what if. What if he pitted one lap after noticing a possible tire problem?
And the biggest what if of all. What if the two drivers that saw the slowly deflating tire on the #48 had radioed that fact to the #48 crew? Funny how that works isn’t it? Countless times throughout the year drivers have done it for teamates and others, but not on this day. What if?
But there is no speculation or what ifs, and NASCAR has a Champion that is deserving of the title. And also one that should put to rest all the “Chase produced Champ” non-sense that has been promulgated by the Busch/Roush haters for the last year.
I’ll have more on the race and the last NASCAR Cesspool entry of the season at a later date.
Congratulations to Tony Stewart and Greg Zipadelli for their second Championship together and to Joe Gibbs on his third in five years.
NASCAR, Auto Racing, Sports
While I don’t much care for Tony Stewart and would have rather seen the 6,16,17,or 99 win the title, it was very nice to JJ slide backwards to 5th place. Better Tony than “Ears” or “Teeth”.
Just before Johnson wrecked the TV commentators said over the air that other spotters were concerned JJ’s right rear was going down. I presumed, like many, the message had been passed to the 48 team.
Apparently not!
With something obviously going wrong with the car, they were foolish not to come in, even without help from other spotters. Ain’t 20-20 hindsight grand?