NASCAR: Will Talladega Tame Jimmie Johnson Yet Again?

Race-day:  11/1/2009
Race-time:  12:00 pm EST

NASCAR heads to Talladega for the AMP Energy 500 with the Sprint Cup Chase already pretty much decided.  Jimmie Johnson has a 118 point lead over fellow driver Mark Martin.  That means that Johnson would pretty much have to implode in order to lose the championship.

The likelihood of that happening is on par with the city of Phoenix getting wiped out by a tsunami.  So, betting against Jimmie to win the Sprint Cup probably isn’t the best idea out there.  Betting Jimmie to win at Talladega is usually a recipe for disaster because the greatest driver in NASCAR history, yes, I just wrote that Dale Earnhardt fans, has won only once at Talladega and usually finishes in 18th place.

Then again, Jimmie finished 2nd at Martinsville last week and is +1500 in the BetUS online sportsbook to win this race.  How could any gambler pass up on those odds?  Take a stab with Johnson in this race is what I say, even with his awful history at Ricky Bobby’s favorite track. 

Kyle Busch Changes Crew Chiefs

Kyle Busch’s new crew chief will be Nationwide skipper Dave Rogers who replaces Steve Addington.  It was about time, Kyle.  Actually, I’m convinced that Kyle called for the change some time ago, as Kyle had been more successful in 2009 on the Nationwide circuit then on the Sprint Cup circuit, but he was overruled by the brain trust at Joe Gibbs Racing.

Now, the powers that be at Joe Gibbs will reassign Addington.  How will the change affect this week’s race at Talladega?  Busch finished 4th last week at Martinsville.  It was a great finish for a guy who isn’t even in the Chase.  That means that Busch is driving well. 

But, Kyle has only one victory at Talladega in his career.  He usually finishes around 25th place or so which means that the odds of +700 on him make him a major, major underlay in this race, Rogers or no Rogers.

Montoya Bounces Back and Then Eats a Taco…Not Really

Juan Pablo Montoya bounced back big time in last week’s NASCAR race at Martinsville to finish 3rd to Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson.

Juan was in the headlines for an altogether different reason this week when he was the subject of prejudicial comment made by ESPN college pigskin broadcaster Bob Greise during the Minnesota vs. Ohio State game.

When a graphic was shown listing the Top 5 drivers in the Sprint Cup Chase Greise’s fellow analyst Chris Spielman asked where the Columbian Montoya was.  Greise remarked that Montoya was out “having a taco.”  Ha. Ha.

Greise has been suspended and did issue an apology.  What has been Juan’s take on all of this?  When approached about it, he shrugged and said that he had no idea who Greise was. 

I doubt Juan will be the subject of any taco eating discussions this week unless it’s happening at a celebratory party serving the ethnic delight.  Once again, Juan is the long shot play of the race.  Okay, he’s long shot number two at +1200 because JJ is going off at +1500. 

Montoya’s got a shot to win this weekend.