NASCAR update: '08 season brings new look, results

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

03.20.2008

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division Baghdad

By Sgt. Jason Thompson
Multi-National Division - Baghdad

BAGHDAD – Five exhilarating races in the book, 31 more to go. From the 200-mph traffic jam of Daytona to the gripless tires in Atlanta and the always unpredictable high banks of "Thunder Valley," this season has given fans like myself more than enough water-cooler talk through the off-weekend for Easter.

As I look back, and the Sprint Cup Series moves forward, there are many storylines that stick in my mind, but none more than the difference of a year ago in terms of who is performing and who is not. A lot of which can be attributed to the new car's ability to even the competition across each of the four manufactures.

Hendrick's struggle:

Entering the 2008 season, Hendrick Motorsports was expected to pick up right where they left off at the end of 2007 after Dale Earnhardt Jr. swept the first two exhibition races at Daytona, the Bud Shootout and Gatorade Duel, and then Jimmie Johnson started his second championship-defending season with a pole at the Daytona 500. However, since the great start at Daytona, three of the team's four drivers have struggled to maintain their consistency, with Earnhardt Jr. being the sole representative in contention on a weekly basis.

Johnson has failed to contend on the lead lap in three of the first five races. Jeff Gordon has not been a contender anywhere other than the second race of the season at California. Casey Mears has now fallen outside the top 35 in points and is not guaranteed to make any race unless he is able to work his way back into the points.

I strongly believe that Rick Hendrick has gotten in over his head with the 3 superstar drivers hanging their hat under a single banner. Hendrick has always been able to maintain 2 strong cars on a consistent basis; however, now he has to spread his assets thinner in an attempt to keep all his teams equal. Now, it has shown that it has allowed the competition to catch up and even pass them in performance. For the first time in the past few years, the team must refocus its efforts to catch up to the rest of the field.

Gibbs' domination:

With Hendrick struggling, it has opened the door for different teams to emerge as contenders on a weekly basis. No team has stepped up to the plate as strong as Joe Gibbs Racing. Without some of the bad luck, Joe Gibbs' three Toyotas could be looking at three or four wins already in this short season. All three drivers have spent time in front in the first five races.

Kyle Busch, who was released from Hendrick Motorsports to make room for Earnhardt Jr., has stepped up more than anyone. Busch has led laps in every race and delivered Toyota's first win, March 9, in Atlanta.

Unlike Hendrick, Joe Gibbs is proving once again why he is the best "coach" in the garage. He has arguably the three most volatile personalities in his cars and, with this, the combination has created the most volatile team in the garage. Gibbs is a master at managing people; he has proven that time and again with his three Super Bowl victories with the Washington Redskins and three Cup Series championships with Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte.

Joe Gibbs Racing is looking stronger than the Hendrick Motorsports of last season, and I will not be surprised if all Busch, Stewart and Denny Hamlin all finish in the top five in points at year's end.

Goodbye DJ:

I want to close by saying goodbye to a great driver in Dale Jarrett. He had a strong and successful career, but by far my favorite memory of his time in the sport was the 1993 Daytona 500 when Jarrett won the race, out-dueling the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. I was but a wee lad at the time, but watching his father, Ned Jarrett, cheer him on to victory from the broadcast booth will always be one of my favorite memories of him.

Good luck on the golf course Dale; hopefully, you enjoy your retirement as much as we enjoyed watching your career.

• Date Taken: 03.20.2008
• Date Posted: 03.20.2008 11:45
• Story ID: 17581
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ