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November 22, 2008
Biggest surprises of 2008
By DAVID GREEN
We all get frustrated at times, but as long as I can keep my head on reasonably straight, I prefer to emphasize the positive instead of the negative. So, I'm going with "surprises" as the topic of this post, to avoid terms like "disappointment" and "failure" and so forth.
Jimmie Johnson's record-tying third straight Cup championship has to go in both the surprise/no surprise categories, in my opinion. Johnson was anything but a long shot in February, but given that only one other driver had ever strung three titles, it had to be something of a surprise that he accomplished it.
But that was far from the biggest shocker of the year.
Carl Edwards' feat of winning nine Cup races and the manner in which he finished the season -- sweeping Nationwide and Cup races at Homestead, and finishing second in both series' driver points -- was an impressive accomplishment, but not really shocking. Edwards long ago proved himself one of the present generation's most capable drivers.
Empty grandstand seats and diminishing television ratings were not really a surprise, either. I'm old enough to remember the days when sports writers could write for credentials to a NASCAR event and get two or even four complimentary grandstand tickets, to boot. We're not back to those days (not quite). But it still is a little bit jarring to me when the TV cameras accidentally pan over a large expanse of grandstand without people sitting there.
Kyle Busch's blistering pace of the regular season and his swoon during the Chase were both pretty gobsmacking, but at the same time, not. Busch, like Edwards, is already -- even at his young age -- way beyond the point of being accused of pulling off an upset when he wins any race. The rash of victories was surprising only because of the bunches in which they came. As for the slump, the argument could be made that Busch used up his good fortune in the first 26 races. So that's not the big surprise.
It was a good thing that the Craftsman and Nationwide series delivered close championship finishes while the Chase, geared to do just that, did not. These things ought not be engineered to be falsely "exciting." However, it has to be mildly surprising that the Chase has foundered so badly since that first one.
Ryan Newman winning Daytona to start the season, then leaving Penske at the end; Tony Stewart leaving Joe Gibbs Racing; Dario Franchitti failing to last a full season in NASCAR and the Ganassi slump in general, in comparison to that team owner's success in the Indy Racing League; all were newsworthy, but not exactly man-bites-dog stories.
For me, the biggest, most jaw-dropping occurrence of 2008 was that five of the sport's top drivers and biggest stars -- Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick -- won, among them, two races all season. Cumulative total.
Gordon, Kenseth, Harvick -- winless. Zero. Zilch. Nada. And -- although they all count -- the single victories that Stewart and Earnhardt scored certainly came in some manner other than spanking the field. If not for some successful strategy and a favorable NASCAR ruling, all five could have been shut out.
Come on -- try to convince me you weren't shocked and awed.
November 22, 2008 | Permalink
Comments
David, I would have bet someone a Benjamin during Speedweeks if they would have said the 20 and 24 teams would not win a single race in the first 26.
That was the big WOW to me, along with the first 3 misfortunate races for the 18 at the start of the chase.
Posted by: FedEx Guy | Nov 22, 2008 12:13:03 PM
David I guess I didn't see the #24 go winless...the #20 I predicted, and how the #48 flipped the switch during the Chase is beyond me. For the first time in a long time I'm not looking forward to the 2009 season, Brian has wore me thin.
Posted by: Fan #5 | Nov 22, 2008 1:11:49 PM
The season was short on real surprises.
One was that Kyle Busch collapsed as he did at the end of the season.
Another was Jeff Gordon's winless season.
The first Chase was overrated, so it's not a surprise the concept has failed since then.
Nor can it be called a surprise that the COT is worthless as a racecar.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Nov 22, 2008 1:39:45 PM
One big surprise - at the Daytona 500 Dodge didn't just win the race - for almost the first time since Dodge reentered Winston Cup they got all their teams into the top-11.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Nov 22, 2008 2:07:21 PM
I can't say I was shocked by KyB's chase performance. He always seems to choke when chase time arrives.
Posted by: 68 ss camaro | Nov 22, 2008 5:09:48 PM
David if I were to look at your post literally and analize each drivers performance I would conclude it was a bad year for Nascar. But fortunately beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Statistically speaking 3/4ths of the fan base had a crappy year. Jr. Gordon and Stewart had bad years. As you pointed out that you saw some reasons to watch, I was able to find some enjoyment in the unpredictable weekly races. Like any sporting event you show up and anything can happen. I have my favorite driver but I have the ability to still love racing for what it is, unpredictable. I'm not looking to start the "you call that racing" debate. I just like the unpredictable. While this was not what I would consider a "Fun" year to watch, I would have to conclude there were plenty of suprises. Most of which didnt go well for my driver but like any other sport the unexpected can produce a spectacle worth watching. The Real fans will watch and justifiably complain. It happens everyday in every sport. The real beauty is that you never really know what your going to get. Just like the old pizza joke, Racing is like sex, even when its bad its still can be pretty good. Its better than nothing at all. 2009 A whole new year twists at every turn and emotions flying. Bring it on.
Posted by: Bob | Nov 22, 2008 11:54:05 PM
Oh I almost forgot, 68 ss camero, you are exactly right. Kyle Busch did choke when it counted most he just happened to do it 8 fewer times than Gordon, Harvick, and Kenseth, and 7 times fewer than Stewart, Jr. and his older Brother. He did by the way not choke while he was matching the record for most Nascar series wins in a single season, 21. Not bad considering the level of competition.
Posted by: Bob | Nov 23, 2008 12:12:48 AM
Bob,
Kyle only finished 10th in the standings. The only drivers he beat on your list were MK and KB. Yea his 21 wins is impressive but i'm sure he would trade all of them for a Cup trophy. Maybe since he is in the BIG BOY series now. He should put all his efforts and focus into that. Same goes for the other intruders, Edwards and Bowyer.
Posted by: 68 ss camaro | Nov 23, 2008 8:00:29 AM
Not a lot of surprising events IMO,David.The 24,20 not winning is there,as well as Kyle being so dominant in all 3 series from time to time.I wouldn't say he choked in the Chase at all.He can't help mechanical issues and that bit him in the ass to start and got him behind.After that crappy start I think some humble pie upset his stomach and he just didn't come to the front.I see him being a major factor next year and contending for the Cup as I'm sure he will learn from some mistakes and be more focused....
David Ragan could be considered a surprise based on his much more improved performance than 07.AJ Almondjoy I think surprised many with his performance in the 84 late and how well he did in the 10.I bet GEM was wishing they would have waited before signing Reed.I was surprised at how crappy the 2 ran......
I am somewhat surprised at how quickly the sluggish economy has impacted the sport with layoffs and teams merging or shutting down.Sad to see that and the ban on testing will not do much to help those lower-tier teams still.Not surprised as well with the empty seats and crappy TV ratings.I am one of those "real" fans that will still watch and go to a few events even though the I will complain about the product on the track.Some good racing this year,but overall when you got 3 drivers winning all the time and it isn't your favorite driver,lack of interest sinks in......
I thought the 20 would go out hot..instead he fizzled just like the 12 did and just like Jr did last year when leaving those teams?Hmmm!Surprised and glad to see the 5 and the 26 pick up their pace in the end....
I wasn't surprised with the demise of the influx of OW'ers minus AJ.Like I said I was surprised he did that well....
Here's hoping that I will be surprised how well the racing is next year.........
Posted by: DJ | Nov 23, 2008 11:36:31 AM
FedEx -- I would've taken the same bet. Good thing I'm not a betting man.
#5 -- Stewart sure performed like a lame duck for much of the season, huh?
Mike -- Good observation about the Dodges in the Daytona 500. Sure went downhill from there, huh?
68 -- I don't know that Kyle has such a reputation; he hasn't ever been in such a prominent position in the Cup standings before. But he sure did a nosedive. As for the debate about the Nationwide Series, the dynamic has changed so much, it's almost as if there is no permanent-party cadre in what used to be the Busch Series. It's hard to call the Cup guys interlopers, as they make up about half of the show nowadays.
Bob -- It is true that the hard-core fan will, more often than not, find something to stimulate his interest, but it got pretty tough at times this year.
DJ -- Thanks for bringing up Ragan and Allmendinger. They did, for a fact, show some talent this year.
Posted by: David Green | Nov 24, 2008 1:03:21 AM
David, I actually agree again with Daly. I saw no major surprises this year, and would probably concur with you that the poor showings by the 17, 20, and 24 teams tops the list. Next, I'd put the amazing disconnect between Kyle Busch's astounding year and his team's woeful performance in the chase, but see my name - I don't like the chase, so won't award any good or bad points on that basis.
Stewart? Hey, it's a surprise, but it's what he wants to do, and here's to him.
As for the open wheelers, I can't really say I'm surprised, but what DOES surprise me is who among them is left standing. The two highest-profile OW guys were Franchitti and Villeneuve, and neither one ever really got out of the box, and it was economics, not driving, that caused that. Hornish is still around and may yet work out. That leaves Allmendinger and Speed. AJ doesn't have a ride, and where's he going to get one in this climate? Speed is doing OK and has a seat for next year. So I guess the surprise to me is that I would have ranked their chances like this: Franchitti, Villeneuve, Hornish, Allmendinger, Speed. In reality, they may have come out exactly the opposite!
Posted by: Doug in CA who hates the chase | Nov 24, 2008 11:22:47 AM
Two matters: first, if you get HBO, there is a show on about Anderson Speedway in Indiana. The gist of the show is that while the town itself is dying, the races are always well-attended. Suffice it to say that the men and women who drive these cars bear very little resemblance to Jimmie Johnson or Tony Stewart. Johnson alone has more teeth that the three featured drivers.
Second, David Poole's ideas about the chase: David, you can't fix it. And why should we be forced to wait for the final race to figure out who's the champ? This year it really was that close, as is evidenced by the fact that Johnson and Edwards would have switched finishing spots under the old system. But that's just the way it happened, not the way it "is supposed to be."
Posted by: Doug in CA | Nov 25, 2008 2:30:45 PM
Hey David,
I was surprised that the best race at Indy was the Indy 500!
Was pleasantly surprised of the quality of racing, not wreckin' at Bristol.
surprized that the grandstands did not turn Dew Green, maybe if they paint the seats green..
the high's n' low's of racing to me was, a one two finish at Daytona, to mid pack or worse the rest of the year..Ryan gone.
surprised drivers have not organized about getting on a track with Steven.
Enjoy the holidays!
Posted by: Larry | Nov 25, 2008 6:19:28 PM
Doug in CA - I live 30 minutes from Anderson Speedway in Indiana. HBO must have had a motive by chosing those 3 drivers for their special. My family and friends have raced there for years. They are all middle class to upper middle class as are a good percentage of the participants at that track. Many Cup drivers have raced there including Tony Stewart, Mark Martin, Ken Schrader to name a few. Mark Dismore, a former IRL driver attends the races frequently. Anderson has hosted ASA, sprints, midgets, etc. I haven't seen the HBO special but am anxious to see why they downgraded the people who race there.
Posted by: Diane | Nov 26, 2008 10:17:40 AM
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