As the laps winded down and Jimmie Johnson with a big lead his competition thought he would have to pit eventually or run out of fuel. Chad Knaus kept telling Jimmie he would be okay but slowing down a little would help as Johnson had built a 20 second lead on his competition. Johnson did run out of gas, but it was long after the checkered flag so he did have enough after all.

Johnson’s win at Phoenix puts him back as a major player because he has struggled so far this season and nothing cures that than a win and that is what they got. When Johnson on his game and has a good car he is tough to beat. He proved in Phoenix he can play the fuel mileage game as well to get a win.

If you look at the standings in the Sprint Cup you seem something very interesting. Hendrick Motorsports was predicted to be 1-2-3 and so far that has not worked out. Kyle Busch who was cast aside to bring Dale Earnhardt Jr on board is leading the points followed by Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, and Jeff Burton. Seems so far in the early part of the season RCR is do real well while Hendrick Motorsports has struggled.

Now Junior is number five in the points while Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon is 13 and 14 in the points. I’m sure they will make that up with no problem.  Jamie McMurray is 36th in the points which is kind of a shocked to me, but besides that nothing really jumps out at you. Joe Gibbs Racing switch to Toyota has benefited both parties so far this season as well.

Jimmie Johnson and Michael Waltrip who are one and two for the Daytona 500 after qualifying this past weekend are sitting pretty right now. They are in the race and they can go out in the two qualifying races and try things on there cars that others will not be able to. These qualifying races for these two will be more of a test session to see what will work and what will not work for them.

Many people think this is a big advantage and I tend to agree with that assessment. The more things that you know the better chance you have for success. It just makes sense. When you can eliminate things that do not work it makes it easier to get your car set up for your best chance of winning. Winning the Daytona 500 is something every driver wants to do.

Jimmie Johnson won his second championship yesterday as he took the title for the second straight year.  Johnson was the most consistent driver all year long and it’s good to see that he won it. Johnson is very popular and right now Rick Hendrick is trying to sign him to a lifetime contract like Jeff Gordon is.

Next year should be a very interesting year as Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Dale Earnhradt Jr will be in the same stable. Hmm they could finish 1,2,3 next year. I guess we will have to wait and see.

2008 should b a very interesting year for a number of different reasons. Let’s look over some of the big questions for 2008.

Will Dale Jr dominate in 2008? Will he finally get his championship?

Has Kyle Busch Found The Perfect home?

Will Penske Racing be dominate once again?

How will Indy drivers do this coming year?

All of these questions will be answered next year and beyond. It should be a very interesting year indeed. Oh by the way How many times will tony Stewart blow up? I couldn’t let him escape could I.

Jimmie Johnson is making it look oh so easy and Jeff Gordon is starting to see the writing on the wall as Johnson won Sunday at Phoenix for his fourth win in a row and extended his point lead to 86 with one race remaining. Johnson has been unstoppable in the last few weeks and everyone knows that.

Gordon has conceded that the championship is over and that he isn’t going to win it. He would need a miracle to win it and Jimmie Johnson totally collasping in the last race just isn’t a possibility.

Jimmie Johnson knew that Matt Kenseth wasn’t going to give an inch and he didn’t, but that didn’t stop Jimmie Johnson from getting past him and taking another checker flag as he won at Texas Motor Speedway and also took over the points lead and maybe for good. With just two races left it’s going to be hard to unseat Johnson unless he is caught up in a wreck.

Jeff Gordon had a rough day and dropped to second in the points standings after a finish of seventh. Gordon now stands 30 points behind Johnson and has his work cut out for him. Should be a very interesting last two races of the season that’s for sure.

All day yesterday Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon complained about how bad their race cars were, but at the end it was Jimmie Johnson taking the checkered flag and moving within nine points of the Nextel Cup lead. Gordon wound up seventh as the Chase just got a little bit tighter.

It’s going to come down to these two in the end in fact it could come down to the final lap. People need to remember though that both guys could run into trouble and someone else could surprise. You just don’t know. When your racing you can finish 1st or 42nd you just don’t know. It’s very unpredictable.