Updated Nov. 20
Jimmie Johnson's place in history after his third consecutive championship highlighted topics on our readers' minds this week, with NASCAR television coverage, Johnny Benson's departure from Bill Davis racing after his truck series championship and the IRL's decision not to return to Australia also getting attention.
From: Ferdin
Is Jimmie Johnson the prohibitive favorite for winning next year's title, and who would be his biggest challengers?
I'd certainly say that although it's obviously very early in the process, there is no reason to believe Johnson and the No. 48 team won't be major contenders for a fourth consecutive title. The entire team looks to be coming back in full force, and unless there is long string of bad luck thrown his way, Johnson has an excellent shot at a four-peat. As for challengers, obviously Carl Edwards will be a serious threat, and despite falling off in this year's Chase, I think Kyle Busch and company learned something this season that will help them be championship contenders in 2009./i>
From: trcy1
I can't argue with Jimmie Johnson's success or take away anything from his winning a third straight title except to say as a fan it's boring to see the same guy, week in and week out dominate and run away with the title.
Jimmie Johnson fans obviously disagree with you but anytime a driver -- or a team in any sport for that matter -- dominates, there is certainly a segment of fans turned off. Johnson gets a lot more boos now than he did a few years ago, and it will probably get worse as he continues to be dominant. Most sports dynasties tend to build up resentment from a group of fans over time, and Johnson is no exception.
From: richardscottcpa
Mr. Pistone: You fail to note three key things. 1. ABC disrespected the NASCAR fans by making the switch. ABC/ESPN also had the option of not switching, but instead chose to show NASCAR fans how little it cares about them. 2. I believe the ratings for NASCAR races were generally up for 2008 until ESPN took over the Cup races. 3. The significance of over-the-air vs. cable accessibility is deemed so significant that the FCC sponsored a car in the Phoenix Cup race to advertise the impending change to digital only broadcasting. Besides, it is possible to have cable basic cable without ESPN or ESPN2. Thank you.
You're right in that there is a segment of people who don't receive any of the ESPN networks as part of basic cable, although that number has to be pretty small. But you are also correct in pointing out that the move by ABC was more symbolic of what is now perceived to be the network's assessment of NASCAR. If the second-to-last race of the season isn't important enough to network executives, what will happen to a midsummer race that is delayed by rain? NASCAR needs to re-examine its television contracts and make sure there is language that prevents things like this from happening again.
From: p9io
What is the deal with Johnny Benson and Bill Davis. They win the truck series championship and less than a day later, Benson is leaving the team and both are sniping at each other.
It is an unfortunate situation between Davis and Benson and one that would have probably been better served staying private. Davis is ticked that Benson is leaving the team for Red Horse Racing while Benson believes he had no choice since Davis never announced his plans to field a team in 2009 were secure. So Benson looked for another deal and found one, but now that Davis is going to try and defend the championship, he is without his driver. The rubber chicken at the truck series awards banquet wasn't even served yet and the two started throwing barbs at each other, a sad way to cap a great season.
From: georgy
I'm disappointed the IRL has decided not to return to Australia and make Surfers Paradise part of the 2009 schedule. It is always such a big event and is really an open wheel racing tradition.
Because the IRL couldn't fit the timeframe of racing in Australia into its schedule, it was forced to abandon the event. It's a logistical nightmare to get the teams and equipment to Australia, and racing in the fall, when it's spring Down Under, was the only time that made sense from the promoter's point of view in terms of drawing the huge crowds the race has become famous for generating. The IRL slate is jam-packed in the summer months around North America, when the weather is obviously best, so there really wasn't any wiggle room to get Surfers Paradise back as a points-paying race.
