Get the trophy ready!
Written by Rich Hemstreet · November 11, 2008
After the fall trip to the desert, the Chase is virtually over. With Jimmie Johnson leading Carl Edwards by 141 points I think it would be safe to drop the hardware off at jewelry store and have Jimmies name printed on the trophy for the third consecutive time. Only Cale Yarborough had earlier managed that feat. Cale was one heck of a great driver in his day. The whole sport seems more dignified these days… and that has hindered the sport as much as it’s helped.
I think NASCAR may have to re-think their penalty boxes and their fines and sacntions. Before long NASCAR will have a replay judge in the booth to try to catch every infraction.
I watched Cale drive a borrowed dirt late model at a local dirt track during his day. He knew how to work his way towards the front when racing a bunch of local guys. One of his favorite passing places was the entrance to turn three. After a long hard run down the backstretch Cale’s front bumper lined up real nice with whoever was in front of him. While Cale took a hard left, the other driver took a hard right, headed for the hog farm next door. I don’t remember where Cale finished that night, but he certainly was a hard charger.
Some say Jimmie Johnson is a hard charger as well. But I personally don’t see much of Cale in Jimmie. Carl Edwards reminds me more of Cale… especially the move He gave it all on at Richmond.
I almost got run over by Cale, at a Michigan race. I was in the pits, thought to be staying out of every bodies way, when a NASCAR official grabbed me and pulled me out of the gap in the wall as Cale Yarborough came flying down pit road on three tires, the left front was caved in. Cale was charging to behind the pit wall to get the repairs done as soon as possible.
2008 is going out without much fanfare. If Johnson has a normal performance he will easily win his third Sprint Cup Title in a row. He will probably be contending for the victory at Homestead, because he leads if his car will do it. I’ll be back later in the week with a few more observations.
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