Well, it’s almost official. That is the NASCAR Sprint Cup series anyway. With three races left in the season, it looks like only three drivers have a chance at winning the big one; the Sprint Cup. It really only looks like one driver may have the best shot at taking it again, for the third year in a row. That driver is Jimmie Johnson.
I’ll be honest; I’ve never been a Jimmie Johnson fan. In fact, I despised him. Hell, I despised all of the drivers that drive for Rick Hendrick Racing, but especially Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon. I did, however, like Casey Mears, but wasn’t happy he was driving for Rick Hendrick. That was until this year. When Dale Earnhardt Jr. started driving for Rick Hendrick, I changed my views a little. Not a lot, just a little.
I am still not a fan of Rick Hendrick, but I do respect him more. I respect him more because he was honest in hiring Dale Earnhardt Jr. I suspect that you readers have picked up on Dale Jr. being my favorite driver. I knew I was not going to be one of those fans that deserted a driver for defecting to drive for a nemesis. I understand why Dale Jr. chose to move from his daddy’s company to drive for a competitor. However, there was a part of me and still is a part of me, that doesn’t like Dale Jr. driving for Rick Hendrick. It was the correct move on his part though as I look back at Dale Jr’s decision.
Now, since Rick Hendrick hired Dale Jr., there is a part of me that sort of likes Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon a little. Of course, I am still not a big fan either. I don’t think I ever will be. But, I do have more respect for them now that Dale Jr. is their teammate. It’s only fair that I feel that way too. While there was a time I was actually screaming at the television screen when Jimmie Johnson or Jeff Gordon was leading races and actually winning them, I don’t find myself doing that anymore. That doesn’t mean I am still a fan of them. I just have learned to accept them and respect them.
One reason I think that is when Rick Hendrick hired Dale Jr. to drive the eighty-eight Impala SS, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon became not only teammates, but also mentors, although all three of them are close in age. I believe that Dale Jr. has learned a lot from both of them and I feel that Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon have learned a lot from Dale Jr. So, in a way, it was a win-win situation for all.
As for the championship standings, Rick Hendrick has three drivers in the top twelve. Jimmie Johnson is, of course, leading the points chase at the moment and Jeff Gordon and Dale Jr. are not far behind. However, with the lead that Jimmie Johnson has, it is almost going to be impossible for Jeff Gordon or Dale Jr. to catch him, especially with competitors such has Carl Edwards, Jeff Burton, and Greg Biffle on his tail. But the main thing apparent here is that, once again, Rick Hendrick has put together championship caliber teams; something that has been instilled in his operations for many years.
With Jimmie Johnson well on his way of winning his third Sprint Cup in a row, with Jeff Gordon trying to catch him and with Dale Jr. running strong, it looks to be that Rick Hendrick Racing will be a contender for years to come. And with the addition of driver Mark Martin next year, Rick Hendrick is sure to be a force to be reckoned with in the future. Who knows, maybe next year, Rick Hendrick will have the top four spots in the championship chase. Lets just hope that Dale Jr. will be the one on top! I mean, he didn’t move over to drive for such a star caliber team to not lose the championship! His time will come, it’s just biding his time well that will make the difference!
I am still not a fan of Rick Hendrick, but I do respect him more. I respect him more because he was honest in hiring Dale Earnhardt Jr. I suspect that you readers have picked up on Dale Jr. being my favorite driver. I knew I was not going to be one of those fans that deserted a driver for defecting to drive for a nemesis. I understand why Dale Jr. chose to move from his daddy’s company to drive for a competitor. However, there was a part of me and still is a part of me, that doesn’t like Dale Jr. driving for Rick Hendrick. It was the correct move on his part though as I look back at Dale Jr’s decision.
Now, since Rick Hendrick hired Dale Jr., there is a part of me that sort of likes Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon a little. Of course, I am still not a big fan either. I don’t think I ever will be. But, I do have more respect for them now that Dale Jr. is their teammate. It’s only fair that I feel that way too. While there was a time I was actually screaming at the television screen when Jimmie Johnson or Jeff Gordon was leading races and actually winning them, I don’t find myself doing that anymore. That doesn’t mean I am still a fan of them. I just have learned to accept them and respect them.
One reason I think that is when Rick Hendrick hired Dale Jr. to drive the eighty-eight Impala SS, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon became not only teammates, but also mentors, although all three of them are close in age. I believe that Dale Jr. has learned a lot from both of them and I feel that Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon have learned a lot from Dale Jr. So, in a way, it was a win-win situation for all.
As for the championship standings, Rick Hendrick has three drivers in the top twelve. Jimmie Johnson is, of course, leading the points chase at the moment and Jeff Gordon and Dale Jr. are not far behind. However, with the lead that Jimmie Johnson has, it is almost going to be impossible for Jeff Gordon or Dale Jr. to catch him, especially with competitors such has Carl Edwards, Jeff Burton, and Greg Biffle on his tail. But the main thing apparent here is that, once again, Rick Hendrick has put together championship caliber teams; something that has been instilled in his operations for many years.
With Jimmie Johnson well on his way of winning his third Sprint Cup in a row, with Jeff Gordon trying to catch him and with Dale Jr. running strong, it looks to be that Rick Hendrick Racing will be a contender for years to come. And with the addition of driver Mark Martin next year, Rick Hendrick is sure to be a force to be reckoned with in the future. Who knows, maybe next year, Rick Hendrick will have the top four spots in the championship chase. Lets just hope that Dale Jr. will be the one on top! I mean, he didn’t move over to drive for such a star caliber team to not lose the championship! His time will come, it’s just biding his time well that will make the difference!
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