Jimmie Johnson's four in a row is something special, although I would have been happier if Mark Martin had won.

Let's give a nod to John Force for his 12 straight NHRA funny car championships. NHRA is not as large an audience as Na$car, but it does bring millions to Las Vegas twice a year.

Definitely Ashley Judd over Danica Patrick.

The weather was too nice at LVMS this past March, so Na$car has moved the 2010 race to February...brrr.

How many points did JJ gain after all that effort and expense? Maybe 24? It could be the winning margin...thank goodness for 'start and park' cars!

I've got your back Ron. I'll take a piece of your action to the tune of a sixer of Yuengling against a quarter of a fifth of Bombay Blue.

Hey Kyle and Little Joey, when you do _anything_ away from the race track, especially one of these cheesy appearances, there is no need to wear a firesuit. When your handlers insist on a sponsor splattered firesuit (even one of those 'it just looks like a firesuit, but it breathes' jumpsuits), just tell them that The Hulkster said, "A star like you don't have to do this".

Go rent The Wrestler. Maybe that will slap some sense into you.

I don't think you're paranoid, no sir, and I'm not RH, hell, I'm not even a rocket scientist, but I'll bet a buck that RH keeps a close eye on his $200 million investments in four Cup teams. I know businessmen with significantly smaller concerns (like two decimal places smaller) who routinely use PI's to verify that everything is tip-top.

Jr. ran a good second half today, despite a craptacular start. Kudos little E.

JJ and Co. did their typical excellent job today to rise to the penultimate spot...congrats on another solid performance.

When things are going real well for Jr., he has a good attitude and rim-rides around up front, but when he's in his usual troubles, he is impatient and ends up banging up his car, more trips to the pits, falls to 35th, etc. By contrast, watch Johnson fall back ten spots with a dropped lug nut pit stop, then watch him race his way back to the front: patience, control, skill. Like an aggressive Mark Martin, or a cool headed Tony Stewart, or a younger Jeff Gordon.

Four variables: 1) driver, 2) equipment, 3) crew, 4) racing luck. The 48 team has straight A's. The 88 team has a C,A,C,F. Improving the crew (especially the impact Knaus would bring) would move that grade to an A, and that could help Jr. to earn a B, however, his racing luck remains elusive. I think he could make The Chase if he was in the 48, just like Martin, Gordon, and Stewart's teams, all of whom have better drivers with comparable equipment and crews. But the 48 team with Johnson has four A's and will soon have four Championship rings.

Rest in peace, Soupy Sales.

accept the mystery

If you want to build a 1/2 mile track, just build it near Bakersfield and enjoy. The Auto Club track in Fontana produced great side by side racing, especially when Kurt "Miller Lite" Busch spun out Kasey "BudBoy" Kahne...wahoo!

And what the LATimes current staff knows about auto racing could fit in the valet parking lot of a West LA watering hole...

While we're speaking of Bud Racing, kudos to Brandon for racking up a Wally one more time for team Bernstein...race fans can look forward to two more good shows this year: the Las Vegas Strip for Halloween and the Auto Club Finals in Pomona two weeks later. Oh, and the cell phone cup? Give it to JJ once again...

I'm looking for Kenseth and one or more Busch Bros to do well in Fontana this week...that still leaves room in the top ten for Hendrick and even RPM. I thought Smoke was toast in Kansas, but two tires brought him back.

In the end, Johnson isn't going to let either Martin or Smoke win the cup.