Twelve drivers have title dreams heading into this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in New Hampshire. Twelve men and their teams are looking to cement their names in history as the 2009 Sprint Cup Series Champion.
All twelve drivers hope to be number one after the race in Homestead in ten weeks
One man is trying to win his fifth career title, another his fourth straight, one more is attempting to win his third title, this time as a driver/owner, and yet another is trying to put his name on the trophy that has eluded him for his entire career.
But of course the main storyline heading into Sunday’s 300 mile race is the fact that Kyle Busch with four “regular season” victories did not make the Chase. All the talk and discussion this week amongst sportswriters and talk shows that I have heard is about the craze of Kyle.
Maybe he is the most popular driver in NASCAR. “What are we going to do that he’s out?” Throw on the panic switch folks and get ready for ten weeks of boring racing.
Check that, there are so many stories heading into this weekend that sportswriters and NASCAR writers alike will all be paying attention to the guys driving in circles.
After all, how historic would it be to see Jimmie Johnson win his fourth straight title? Well to be frank, it would be boring.
How awesome would it be to see Tony Stewart win his third title, and become the first driver/owner since Alan Kulwicki in 1992 to win a title? It would make for good storylines, but Stewart was the last driver not named Johnson to win the title, and it would be the third time in seven years he’s won a title.
Jeff Gordon has four titles as a driver, the last coming in 2001. In 2002 the “Drive for Five” began. And it’s been on ever since. So it’s getting kinda old folks, and so is Jeff.
Speaking of old, there’s 50 year old Mark Martin who has torn up the circuit this season, and he now leads the points after the reset due to his four wins. Martin has six poles this season and zero titles to his name. He’s the sentimental favorite, and he’s going to win it all.
Why? Well, it’s simple to answer that if you follow the sport like I do, but we need to watch the next ten weeks to truly find out why Mark Martin is not only the sentimental favorite to win it all, but he’s also a popular pick to win it all by many writers.After all, one of Martin’s four victories this year came at Phoenix where the Cup guys will visit on my birthday in mid-November. His last win before that night in April was at Kansas—antoher Chase venue. Well, I’ll be watching. Will you?
Of course there are many twists and turn before Phoenix, and it begins this weekend in Loudon. Join the ABC crew at 2 PM for all the action. You won’t be disappointed.
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