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StumblePublished Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 | 3:38 p.m.
Updated Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 | 4:13 p.m.
Mark Martin could finally win a championship at 50 years old. Tony Stewart could be the first owner-driver to win a championship since Alan Kulwicki. And Jimmie Johnson could capture an unprecedented fourth consecutive Cup title. Any one of these accomplishments would make major headlines at the end of the season.
But what if a Dodge team won a championship? That might be a surprising headline and a very compelling story.
The teams of Kasey Kahne and Kurt Busch are the only two Dodge teams competing for a championship and each organization has been handed serious challenges to their championship bids. The merger of Richard Petty Motorsports and Yates Racing has led Kahne to publicly question who is in charge at the organization. The leadership of the No. 9 team can hopefully overcome that. And as the team gets ready to switch to Fords next season, one has to wonder if the engine shop employees, who may be worried about losing their jobs, can stay as focused as they need to be. Kahne’s blown engine in the first Chase race didn’t help things, either.
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Kurt Busch, on the other hand, faces a different set of challenges regarding leadership. His crew chief, Pat Tryson, is leaving next season for Michael Waltrip Racing. Although Tryson and Busch will do what they can to stay focused on their championship quest, the timing of Tryson’s announcement was unfortunate. I would imagine the team would prefer, if it had a choice, to be free of the distraction Tryson’s choice could cause.
With challenges like these, a championship by either of these teams would make the accomplishment all the more meaningful.
Kahne now has to knock off 11 guys in front of him and Busch is switching cars to avoid the same type of problem Kasey had. Even in Vegas, this looks like a long shot. I don't care who wins as long as it's Martin, Stewart, Vickers, Busch, Biffle, Newman, Kahne, Edwards, Montoya or Gordon.
A Dodge win the 'Chase'? Mike you need a vacation............soon!! It will be Chevy or Toyota, again. No Ford's, no Dodges, end of story. Ford is having a tough year in 2009, Dodge has a tough year every year.
The championship belongs to Hendrick...no chance for little E, and Tony's sort of independendant story is fading...that leaves three great stories: the old man Martin, the fifth cup for Gordon or the 4-peat for Johnson. Everyone else is looking for next year's sponsors...see you at the victory celebration in Vegas.
Is it true that NASCAR is going to expand the "Chase" field next year to 25 drivers so that Junior is guaranteed to be included?
Hey, PostRaceAura, what a great idea! Time after time I wish the 'Junior Nation" would check the stats. Maybe sooner or later they will figure it out, Jr. ain't Sr. --- period!!
Remember Richard and Kyle - again I use the Petty's as an example!
I also notice that RPM (including what was Evernham Motorsports (Mr. Dodge) is abandoning the make next year. Dodge is again history, at least for now.
What's happening with Danica Patrick going to NASCAR in 2010? I've been reading that she might double up next year. I've also heard that Tony Stewart has made friends with her. Is she going to be Tony's teammate? She hasn't really won a whole lot in Indy even though she finished higher this year in points than any other year.