Rewind: Nobody loves a winner when one surfaces?
Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010
Taking another look at Sunday's race and another win by Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports:
Rear view mirror/Jim Utter
When did winning become a 'bad' thing?
There is far too much talk of horseshoes and luck and too little about the impressive team that Hendrick Motorsports has put together.
Fans want to see their favorite drivers win. So when anyone else does – especially when it's consistently – the winner's accomplishments are ridiculed.
We might be witnessing a run unmatched in stock car racing. The records surely suggest that's the case.
How about trying to enjoy the view just a little instead of berating Johnson, the Hendrick organization and NASCAR for having produced it?
Welcome to the big time
Potholes at Daytona and now random caution lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
I don’t know where the blame lies when – twice – the caution lights come on inadvertently during a race.
It doesn’t matter. This is the big leagues, people. Once is a mistake. Twice is a pattern. Neither is acceptable.
Scott Speed showing up
He does not have a top-10 finish this season, but Scott Speed seems to be showing up in all the right places at the end of races. So far, that’s netted him 16th in points, a vast improvement over his rookie season last year.
Key moments
Lap 53
There's an accidental caution, according to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway's lights. That, of course, causes a real caution. After another incident on Lap 108, NASCAR officials take control, putting their hands directly on the switch.
Lap 93
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing teammates Jamie McMurray and Juan Pablo Montoya wreck and collect pole-winner Kurt Busch, taking all three out of contention.
Lap 161
Johnson takes the lead for one lap during a round of green-flag pit stops – the only time he led the race before the final 17 laps.
Lap 231
Kevin Conway spins to bring out the caution and most of the lead-lap cars pit. Then-leader Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth take two tires. Johnson takes four.
Lap 251
Johnson, on four tires, works feverishly for several laps to get around Gordon and finally completes the pass for the lead on the backstretch.
NASCAR SPRINT CUP Next race
Kobalt Tools 500
Where: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, Ga.
When: 1 p.m. Sunday.
TV: Fox.
Radio: Performance Racing Network.
Last year’s winner: Kurt Busch.
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