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Who's your Champion?
By: Dennis Terry
No matter which driver wins the 2006 Nextel Cup Championship every fan should be satisfied and excited with the outcome.
WHY?
Well, realistically, I think that only the top seven guys in the Chase even have a shot with only four more races to go. Matt Kenseth is the only driver who is a past Cup Champion, the other six are shooting for their first championship and that's really cool.
This is Mark Martin's final season (unless he un-retires again) and it's Denny Hamlin's first season. Even the die-hard Gordon fans should respect a 2006 championship from either of those two.
So, here are the drivers and why I think that each one is a deserving Champion...
7th place - Mark Martin is a fan favorite each week. The second race that I ever attended was Martin's first Cup victory at Rockingham in 1989. In his twenty four year career he has won 35 Cup races, finished second in the championship FOUR times and has fifteen top ten championship finishes - FIFTEEN! It's hard to find any driver more deserving then Martin.
6th place - Dale Jr. has had tons of garage rumors flying around about him driving the "3" car in the future. RC wants him to drive the #3, Jr. wants to drive the #3, the souvenir manufactures want him to drive the #3 and everyone from Talladega to North Wilkesboro wants to see him in the #3, except for Teresa. What's the catch? He has to EARN that seat. Dale Sr. earned it and the rest of the country will expect nothing less from Jr. Winning this championship opens the door for Jr. to "fulfil his destiny".
5th place - Jeff Burton lost the lead at Martinsville, but he is one of the smartest and best spoken drivers that I know. Even though he is from Virginia, he's still more intelligent and fun to listen to than any announcer that the networks can land. Plus, Cingular winning the NEXTEL Cup will be enough blog material to get both me and Trent through the winter!
4th place - Denny Hamlin is the only rookie in the chase. Hopefully NASCAR's next big superstar. A rookie winning the championship would be bigger than the USA beating Russia at hockey in the 1980 Olympics... Much bigger!
3rd place - Jimmy Johnson has been so close he's beginning to look like Mark Martin. Besides, all of those poor Gordon fans haven't had much to cheer about during the last two seasons. Even Brian Vickers is starting to pull for Johnson.
2nd place - Kevin Harvick has sealed the deal on the Busch Championship and is very close to becoming the first driver to win both a Cup and Busch championship in the same year. RCR hasn't won the Cup Championship since Dale Sr. did it in 1994... TWELVE years ago.
1st place - Matt Kenseth needs some new robot commercials and another championship would surely help get those rolling. Besides, Robbie Riser is rumored to be taking over as GM at Roush and a new crew chief for Matt could put him in the same boat as Jeff Gordon after Evernham left.
DT
October 27, 2006 | Permalink
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Comments
So what are the real chances of Jr. ever driving a #3 for RCR? slim to none?
Posted by: clay | Oct 27, 2006 12:28:00 PM
Since my preseason picks for the title are not even in the Chase (Bifle and Stewart),
I am with most people that wants Mark Martin to win.
Of course I am a Dale Jr. fan and would love to see him win it, but I just didn't think this year would be his year. He can still prove me wrong though and I hope he does.
If Mark or Dale don't win, I will be more than happy to see an RCR driver winning it!
Good luck at Atlanta and maybe you can make it through the first of the race without getting caught up in someone's mess.
Posted by: Michelle | Oct 27, 2006 2:00:08 PM
DT
I hope burton pulls in off, he deserves it and it will be good for the sport. But what is the inside scoop on dei? i heard jr and truex may be out after next year. going to jr motorsports or rcr. also what is your plan and the rest of the bps champions? im sure that you guys could do better somehere else. give us some dirt or at least what you can
thanks dt
Posted by: Mike | Oct 27, 2006 4:19:14 PM
Sorry, guess I'm one of the very few fans that just really don't care for Martin... I was hoping that Kahne would do better, but since that didn't happen, I'm pulling for Kenseth.....there was so much controversy with his last Championship and people said he shouldn't have won it, basically causing them to change the format to the Chase.... I think he's been on a mission since then, he's done a great job this year of saying, How da ya like me now!!!!
Posted by: darlene | Oct 27, 2006 6:07:30 PM
Denny Hamlin winning the Championship is not good for the Chase, especially after only winning two races at the same track, same could be said for Martin having not visited Victory Lane at all. The new format hardly rewards the best driver of the year, only the drivers outside the top three benefit, leaving the 1st,2nd,and 3rd with the best shot to lose it. It's only done as a ratings boost so why get all excited by someone that was no shot at winning the Championship at Richmond, only to have the best luck and a 350 point mulligan take them to the Championship. Bottom line, make the Champ the one that won the most races during the year, what a concept.
Posted by: MoparDave | Oct 27, 2006 7:36:08 PM
I too hope Burton pulls it off. I don't think Hamlin deserves it. If KK had run more consistently then he'd be on my list. Kenseth has run mostly well and that would be ok if he won. As far as MM goes - sentimental favorite. If he wins fine, if he didn't fine too. As for the rest, only Harvick and JR would be ok if the won.
Good Luck this weekend DT!!
Posted by: JenInIL | Oct 28, 2006 12:51:44 PM
I AM A JEFF GORDON FAN,SINCE HE WAS A KID IN OPEN WHEEL.I NEVER WAS A NASCAR FAN BEFORE GORDON. I THINK THEY MADE MORE RULE CHANGES SINCE HE CAME TO NASCAR. I AM NOW A NASCAR FAN AS LONG AS GORDON IS IN NASCAR. I THINK HE IS A TRUE CHAMPION. HAD A COUPLE OF BAD YEARS. ONE THING I DON'T UNDERSTAND HE USED TO MENTION THE LORD BEFORE AND HAD A PREACHER AT THE TRACK. HE SAID HE ALWAYS HOPES TO WIN JUST SOMETIMES THE ANSWER IS NO. I DON'T HEAR HIM SAY ANY OF THAT SINCE HIS DIVORCE.I HOPE HE STILL FEELS THE SAME.
Posted by: georgia ratchford | Oct 28, 2006 1:44:58 PM
Why is it Junior's "destiny" to drive a #3? He's not his father, he's his own person.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Oct 28, 2006 1:51:08 PM
I agree with your points Jen, but with Kenseth and Harvick tied w/ 4 wins, JJ w/ 5 and Kahne w/ 6, and 4 races to go, Homestead would be just as exciting if those guys had to WIN to be the champion, not just avoid bad luck. Maybe I'm still bitter about Newman winning 8 and not being the champ. Either way the Chase stinks.
Posted by: MoparDave | Oct 28, 2006 1:53:05 PM
Junior winning a championship has nothing to do with his "earning" the right to drive the 3. I personally hope he never does, but if he chooses to do so to honor his father, then no one can say he hasn't earned the right. He's more than paid his dues over the past 6 years with the constant pressure he's under with that legacy. He's a champion in my eyes whether he wins it or not.
Posted by: Karrie | Oct 28, 2006 2:02:03 PM
Hey DT,
I got Harvick.
In the little circus that we have all grown to love, how could we not eventually see Lil' E in the thirsty #3.
DKS
Posted by: Larry | Oct 28, 2006 3:51:25 PM
I don't think Jr. in the Black #3 without the GM Goodwrench sponsorship would be the same.Maybe they would come back if that were to happen. I'm not a Sr. or Jr. fan but I still think it would be cool.
Posted by: jeff | Oct 28, 2006 7:15:14 PM
I'm quite sure if Dale would take the black 3 on the track, (exibition or non points race) Goddwrench will be the sponsor. Of course, nobody would expect anything less than #8 Red Bud car even if he moved to RCR. I wonder if JR Motorsports is getting ready to go cup? Budweiser has agreed to allow Junior more participation in his own Bush teams, could we see a black #3 there?
Terry: are you going to make us wait for the off season before you start with the gossip?
Posted by: 328 | Oct 28, 2006 8:03:12 PM
I'm quite sure if Dale would take the black 3 on the track, (exibition or non points race) Goddwrench will be the sponsor. Of course, nobody would expect anything less than #8 Red Bud car even if he moved to RCR. I wonder if JR Motorsports is getting ready to go cup? Budweiser has agreed to allow Junior more participation in his own Bush teams, could we see a black #3 there?
Terry: are you going to make us wait for the off season before you start with the gossip? Sorry-that should read Mr.Terry
Posted by: 328 | Oct 28, 2006 8:04:49 PM
I still hope Dale Jr. can pull off this year's Championship. I know it may be too late with the spin last week at Martinsville, but I can always hope.
I actually hope Junior doesn't drive the #3 car. He is his own man, he is driver #8.
Besides, I can't imagine being that impressed with a black #3 COT Chevy Impala!
Posted by: mary4jrs8 | Oct 29, 2006 3:05:27 AM
My champion would be Gordo.
Whether he makes it or not, I don't know. My gut feeling says no. Then it would be Jimmie.
As far as this Gordo fan, and this is just MY opinion, I don't understand the respect thing you mentioned above. Respect what. My driver lost his fifth cup because of a paper reconfiguration. I hate the chase and I would rather have Gordo 15th in points without it. I didn't hear any boo hooing about him losing the cup because of this farce. And I don't believe it was because of Kenseth either that this chase evolved.
Gordo, Gordo, Gordo. Where has your driver been for the past three years.
Thanks.
Posted by: Woody | Oct 29, 2006 6:21:27 AM
Um, Woody,
If you are asking DT where his driver has been in the past three years....that would be winning TWO Busch series championships, then moving the entire team up to Cup to run this year.....Martin is a future superstar.....sorry if you can't comprehend that....
Posted by: J in PA | Oct 29, 2006 9:26:36 AM
Amen J in PA!
Oh, and Woody, Martin Truex Jr. did beat 11 other Champions in the IROC race yesterday.
Way to Go Martin!!!!
Posted by: mary4jrs8 | Oct 29, 2006 2:09:59 PM
Uhmmmmmm, congrats to the next superstar. Sunday was awesome also.
My bad. I'm on my way to Daytona USA to purchase a diecast collectible of the next superstar before they are all sold out.
Thanks.
Posted by: Woody | Oct 30, 2006 6:49:32 AM
"Martin Truex Jr. did beat 11 other Champions in the IROC race yesterday."
Didn't win him an IROC championship, though, did it? Who was it who clinched that particular championship Saturday?
*grin*
Posted by: RCSanders | Oct 30, 2006 9:26:37 AM
I know Jeff Gordon is back there in 7th place but he has that cunning luck to be able to stay in the top ten most of the season.
There is Johnson his team mate that that desires to win the cup. But my heart is still with Jeff Gordon.
I live in Australia and have been a NASCAR fan now for 7 years our racing in Australia is really exciting but those Nextel Cup boys are driving on the knifes edge all the time so I rate them all as hero's.
Posted by: Adrian McFeeter | Oct 30, 2006 6:37:45 PM
2006 Nextel Champion...
Matt Kenseth and the DeWalt racing team!
Posted by: Tbfka#5 | Oct 30, 2006 7:40:22 PM
UGH. I'm so disappointed in Gordon lately. His in-consistency is driving me nuts! I'm still a fan, don't get me wrong...but I think I got spoiled by all of his early success. Maybe with his recent marriage, things will get better? One can only hope.
Anyhow...I'd love, love to see him win the championship...but I know that would mean an unbelievable turn of events would have to take place. In any event...I wouldn't mind seeing Jr., Harvick or Johnson win.
Posted by: Mandy24 | Nov 9, 2006 11:42:51 AM
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