Final grades: J.J. obviously aces, but three ex-champs nearly failPete Pistone's final Cup season grades are in. Yes, Jimmie Johnson is valedictorian. But the marks for former champs Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch aren't pretty.
No haste from Hendrick as Earnhardt eyes improved '09Dale Earnhardt Jr. started strong before downshifting to mediocre, and his boss is 'disappointed.' Are big changes coming? No, Rick Hendrick is taking the patient approach, Pete Pistone says.
Positive-thinking Edwards anticipates championship spotlightSo, he didn't win the title. But is Carl Edwards' season a failure? No way, no how. By winning the season finale in Homestead, Edwards wraps a season of giant strides at Roush Fenway and plans on taking the next step: a championship in '09, Pete Pistone says.
Third title seems a sure thing to everybody but J.J.The unthinkable would have to happen for Jimmie Johnson not to win his third Cup series title in a row Sunday at Homestead, but Pete Pistone says that's exactly what J.J. is thinking about.
Ratings stuck in neutral, ABC coverage shift tough to takeWith TV networks having too much power to dictate race start times, ABC's move to bump the Phoenix finish adds to NASCAR's uneasiness over flat ratings, Pete Pistone says.
J.J. just about seals third consecutive title with Phoenix winJimmie Johnson dominates Phoenix and closes in on joining Cale Yarborough as the only drivers to win three consecutive titles. J.J. takes first in Arizona and, with one race to go, increases his Chase lead to 141 over Carl Edwards, who places fourth. It's all but over, Pete Pistone says.
Johnson in control, but not invincible heading into PhoenixThe Chase for the Championship is still Jimmie Johnson's to lose, but that doesn't mean it can't be lost. Heading into the penultimate race at Phoenix, Pete Pistone says the door remains slightly open, and Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle will aggressively attempt to charge through.
