Raceday at Texas | Let's address this part anyway

Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

Three Things to Watch

1. Texas Motor Speedway was once one of Jeff Gordon's least favorite stops. Now, it's his refuge with his most recent pole and race win.

2. Jimmie Johnson is inching closer and closer to his fourth consecutive championship and a good showing at Texas could go a long way toward allowing him to all but wrap up the honor next weekend at Phoenix. Mark Martin will probably have something to say about that.

3. No wins yet this season for Carl Edwards, who had nine last season, and so far he's been very quiet in the Chase. But he swept both Texas races in 2008, so perhaps there is still a good chance at a victory yet this year.

Observations

It's Danica-mania, so it's predictable

Here's an easy prediction. Should Danica Patrick actually attempt next season's Automobile Racing Club of America series race at Daytona, there will be more media attention on that race any other in the history of that series. Which would in all likelihood be more media attention than she receives in most of her races in the IndyCar Series – where she still races full time, by the way.

OK, who's stepping up next?

I'll give credit where credit it due. Earlier this week, I called out the drivers who went to NASCAR over the weekend at Talladega and asked that it strictly police bump-drafting in the corners, then disappeared from view in the wake of the fan backlash. Jeff Gordon, however, admitted on Friday that he was one of the drivers. He deserves kudos for stepping forward. Now, where are the others?

Not the way Johnson rolls

Anyone who thinks Jimmie Johnson is just going to "mail in" the last three races to capture his fourth straight championship hasn't paid attention to any of his career. Such as the side-by-side, toe-to-toe battle he had here with Matt Kenseth in 2007 to win, when he just as easily could have solidified his lead by playing it safe.

Just the facts

Dickies 500

Where: Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth.

Track type: 1.5-mile banked, paved quad-oval.

Race distance: 334 laps or 501 miles.

When: Green flag is 3:30 p.m.

Weather: Partly cloudy with high in the mid-70s.

TV: Coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. on ABC.

Radio: Performance Racing Network

Picks

JIM UTTER

I'm going with the theme of the weekend here. Once a stumbling block during his Cup seasons, instead Texas has become a place of good fortune – again.

Winner: Jeff Gordon.

BOB HENRY

Call it an upset special if you want, but the Chase cloud that's hovered over Kasey Kahne and his team? Gone on Sunday.

Winner: Kasey Kahne.

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