Atlanta Is 'Fast-lanta' For Johnson andCrew

by 4ever3 on Oct 27, 2008 9:48 PM EDT Comment 4 comments

Jimmie Johnson finishes second and people are talking more about him than race winner Carl Edwards.

Why? Because Jimmie came in under the last caution, got 4 new tires, went back out and passed everyone in front of him like Dale Earnhardt at Talladega in Oct. 2000. Only Jimmie finished second and not first like Earnhardt, but to me (and to Jimmie and his team I'm sure) that second place is better than a win.

Here's why; did you see the look on Carl's face in Victory Lane when he was asked about his feelings about Jimmie finishing second? Carl didn't know until that moment that Jimmie finished second (Carl thought Jimmie was still mid-pack) and it was caught on TV for all to see - he wore his emotions on his face right there - now he made a good recovery but you could still see the puzzlement in his face and hear the frustration in his voice as the interview continued.

For a split second there I honestly thought Carl was going to snap on the TV guy for playing a bad joke on him.

The way I see it is Jimmie's second place finish, and the way he did it, is far more psychological taxing on his competition than a win like Carl's would have been.

Based on his reaction in Victory Lane, I would say that Carl is officially done in this Chase - stick a fork in him - he is mentally out of the Cup picture now. Any psychological advantages Carl may have had are done now, even if Jimmie has a bad race Carl won't be able to step up and take advantage of it like he could have before Sunday's race.

So what's your take? Do you agree or disagree? Let's hear you ... OK, read you instead - leave a comment.

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The look on Carl's face was truly priceless!!! I think he was very happy the race ended when it ended cause he might not be in Victory Lane. How did he do that. Thats what I got out of Carls look. Luckily he has a week to get mentally back in the game. I think he is going to need it.

Kendria

by Anonymous on Oct 27, 2008 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

I'm not concerned about Carl's mental make up down the stretch and I wouldn't be surprised to see him win at Texas as well...but it was clear before this race that this Chase is over.

And I'm sure he woulda been told before then that Johnson finished second. That's just Carl pulling his down home 'aww shucks' routine...it makes for better tv ;)

by Rick on Oct 28, 2008 10:01 AM EDT reply actions

why can't we at least have qualifying for the chase drivers. How long would it take to qualify 12 cars. either before the saturday race or after. let the other 13-43 go by owner points.. Let's not let the 48 have the point just because mother nature doesn't cooperate

by Anonymous on Oct 28, 2008 1:26 PM EDT reply actions

I'm sure you'd have a completely different take on it if your 'horse' in the race was leading...and not the 48.

I think it'd be more important for the go or go homers to qualify than the top 12 if there were time to only run the partial field.

I think the best suggestion I've seen so far is to have drivers select pit boxes by the qualifying draw if qualifying isn't run. Gives the current leader a little less of an advantage, since that first stall can be more important that the actual pole.

by Rick on Oct 28, 2008 1:30 PM EDT reply actions