Celebrated champion
With three races to go in The Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, there are four drivers within 84 points of Matt Kenseth's lead. Realistically, the top five drivers are the only ones with a shot at winning it all. Kenseth, who won the title in 2003, would make a fine repeat champion. He's certainly got the credentials. Jimmie Johnson has been more consistent than any other driver the past five years. He's finished in the top five every year since entering NASCAR's elite division. But, then, there's that Daytona thing hanging over his head. Jeff Burton is tied for fourth in the points. He'd make a fine champion and is a great spokesman for the sport, but it wouldn't be all that exciting. Denny Hamlin has had a great rookie season with two victories. He sits third in the points, and what a coup it would be for a rookie to win it all. What a story it would make, for sure. That brings us to the fifth and final candidate -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. If somehow Junior is able to get past the guys in front of him and be on top of the standings when that final checkered flag waves at Homestead-Miami Speedway, it'll set of a celebration the likes of which we haven't seen in this sport for a long time. Can you imagine, another Earnhardt winning a NEXTEL Cup Series championship? Junior will be the most celebrated champion since, well, his father in 1994. Jeff Gordon has been a great ambassador for the sport, but even his popularity is no match for Junior's. If Junior is able to win the championship, which he is certainly capable of doing with two of his best tracks coming up -- Texas and Phoenix -- then the post-season party might last well beyond Speedweeks at Daytona in February. You might not be able to buy a piece of championship memorabilia. Everybody will be wearing red.
Posted: 11/1/2006 9:09:00 AM
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