Dramatic Nextel Cup ‘playoff’ was a success
Q: Now that the Nextel Cup season is over, how do you like the new “playoff” point system? You were a big supporter of it, and you predicted Jeff Gordon would win the title. Had NASCAR stayed with the old point system, you would have been right! — Jerry S., New Port Richey, Fla.
A: Jerry, I’m still a supporter of the new point system “playoff.” It sure adds lots of drama to those last races, and this year’s champ, Kurt Busch, certainly earned his championship.
Luck, too, always plays a role. Had he not barely missed hitting the pit entry wall when his wheel broke, and had the wheel and tire not somehow found their way to the front straightaway for a critical yellow flag that allowed him to stay on the lead lap, Busch would not have won the championship. Then, everyone held their collective breaths those last 10 laps, depending on who you were a fan of. A flat tire, blown engine or contact with another driver would have possibly reversed everything.
Drama is what NASCAR was after with the new point system, along with the better TV ratings. I feel they made the right choice.
***
Q: Greg, you missed the boat in your 10 most famous race cars. How could you have possibly not included Dale Earnhardt’s No. 3? This is probably the most famous race car of all time. Other than that, I pretty much agreed with your list, and it was well-rounded. But you blew it big time by not including Earnhardt. — Pam H., e-mail from Pennsylvania
A: Pam, the reason I did not include the No. 3 is because I feel it was Earnhardt himself that was way more famous than any specific No. 3 car he drove. The question dealt with cars, not drivers.
Also, which No. 3 would you have selected to be on the list? He drove a stable of Childress No. 3 cars during his career, and also a Ford Thunderbird. Some of his cars were good and some not so good. Most were black, but not all. If the question had been famous race drivers, Earnhardt would not only have been on the list, I probably would have named him quickly along with A.J. Foyt.
If you check Earnhardt’s career record in the No. 3, he won more than 10 Cup races in a season one time (1987, 11 wins). Other than that, his best year was nine wins in 1990 and then it drops to six or less the rest of his years, which ran from 1975 to 2001. Earnhardt only had two years that he did not win a race when he ran the full schedule, 1981 and 1997. He was a very fast and consistent driver, regardless of what kind of car he drove.
Earnhardt also had a great record in the Daytona Twin 125 qualifying races, the Busch series and also the IROC series. Thanks for the comment.
***
Q: I am 13 years old and a big Jeff Gordon fan. Do you think he will ever race in the Indianapolis 500? — Shawn S., e-mail from Florida
A: Shawn, I think someday Gordon will drive in the Indy 500. Now I don’t have access to his contract with Rick Hendrick, but I’m sure that if Jeff wanted to do it, Rick would let him. We all know Gordon was an excellent open-wheel race driver, and his record in NASCAR speaks for itself.
This is strictly a personal opinion based on nothing but a gut feeling. Time will tell, but if the day comes when Gordon announces he will run in the Indy 500, it will be an exciting time for all of auto racing.