Five in, Five to go

As Bon Jovi would try to remind us, “We’re halfway there,” in terms of races down in NASCAR’s ten race title run. And to most of the dozen Chasers, “Living on a Prayer,” pretty much sums up this title run.

As media types everywhere will crown Jimmie Johnson the champion for the 4th year running this week, his car owner did too on Saturday evening after the race. Jeff Gordon said, “I don't think we can beat those guys straight up if they don't have problems. They're just too strong, too fast.”

He continued, “I don’t want to wish any trouble on them. But really, the only chances we have to win this championship is to go win the next five races in a row—or if they run into some problems. They're just too strong. They're not going to have a 12th-place day. It just doesn't happen to them.”

That’s the scary part. NASCAR has done this Chase thing for five years, (this being number six) and in 55 Chase races the #48 car has visited victory lane 17 times. That’s nearly three times as many as the next nearest drivers, Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards, who both have six wins.

So, while the rest of the NASCAR Nation crowns Johnson this week, I say we sit back and wait. After all, Chad Knaus says nothing is over until the last lap at Homestead. I hate to be naïve, but I agree with his assessment. As Yogi Berra used to say, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” And I know Bon Jovi would still remind us, “We’ve got to hold on ready or not, you live for the fight when it’s all that you’ve got…”

“We’re half way there…”