JJ vs. Cale

[falcon325]

David Poole had an article out this morning that touched on the strong possibility that Jimmie Johnson would match the great Cale Yarborough's record of three straight Cup Championships. 

While that chicken still hasn't quite hatched, Mr. Poole pointed out that while Cale was winning his championships, on 7 drivers ran in all of the races, while 20 drivers have competed in all of the events during JJ's run.    Eleven different drivers won races from 1976-78, while 20 drivers have won since Johnson's run started.  Poole quoted DW as saying, "In the '70s, there weren't but four or five teams with a realistic chance of winning the championship.  Winning three championships back then was a great accomplishment, but is a greater accomplishment, in my mind, today."

I'm a JJ fan.  I fly a 48 flag in front of my house every time he wins.  But...

Cale Yarborough won three Winston Cup Championships in a row.  JJ--IF he closes the deal today--would have won two Winston Cups with a "Brian Bowl" in between.

Sorry Jimmie.  You need to win two more legitimate chamionships in a row to match Cale.

[FS_Amy]

First off, let me say I HATE the Chase.  I have never liked it and never will.  Jeff Gordon going for his seventh title this year, as he would be if the points had been left alone, would have been more exciting than the Chase itself ever is.

BUT, whether I agree with it or not, I don't think it's fair to say Jimmie doesn't deserve the credit for what he's done.  It's not his fault they changed the system, and he worked it better than anyone.  It's really not productive to compare two different eras of the sport, because there are too many factors that are different.  You can come up with any number of "what ifs".  For example-IF the Chase had existed throughout the modern era,  Cale would have four championships, though not in a row-he'd have dprived Dale Earnhardt of his first (1980_. Jeff Gordon would only be a two-time champion.  Jimmie Johnson would be going for his fourth title this year. Earnhardt would only have five titles, but Harry Gant would have one, as would Kyle Petty and Sterling Marlin.  Rusty Wallace would have two.

And WITHOUT the Chase ever existing, Gordon would have six itles, Johnson one (not counting this year yet., and Kurt Busch would only be known for being Kyle's brother.

I hate the Chase, but to say a champion didn't really win under it now is like saying the drivers back in the 1970's-1990's didn't really deserve it because they won it without having to deal with the points reset and could just coast. 

[20forLogano]

The 48 would race much different if the chase wasn't in existence.  They are the best and are a dynasty regardless of the chase.  They race what the rules dictate.

[Chris]

I think it should also be noted that if using the "old" points system carl edwards would of been THIS years points champion... and it would of only been a 6 points difference...
Funny how the "Chase" was supposed to make it 'closer' but it had the opposite effect

[Tyyrus]

Jeff Gordon would only be a two-time champion. 

Yeah an Ole Mark Martin would be a Cup Champion finally lol !!

[SMOKEN14]

I think it should also be noted that if using the "old" points system Carl Edwards would of been THIS years points champion... and it would of only been a 6 points difference...
Funny how the "Chase" was supposed to make it 'closer' but it had the opposite effect

ACTUALLY CARL would of been champ by 16 points the old way And Jeff Gordon would of beaten JJ last year by 353 Points the old way That's why I can't say JJ is in Cale's league Cale Earned all 3 of his the hard way

[south jersey girl]

apples and oranges
you really can't compare the old points vs the chase points

If they were still using the old points systems, Carl probably wouldn't have tried to stretch his fuel, and Jimmie wouldn't have been content to stay out of trouble and finish 15th.


And, on another note: how about Carl this weekend.  Won the N'wide and Cup races and finished 2nd in the points in both series.  As a Carl Edwards fan, I can't wait for next year...

[Chris]

And, on another note: how about Carl this weekend.  Won the N'wide and Cup races and finished 2nd in the points in both series.  As a Carl Edwards fan, I can't wait for next year...

Yeah.. and I bet YOU can't wait for My fantasy race game next year EITHER...
You smoked us this last segment.  Made some nice cash..
I bet you are chomping at the bit to get going again...
Hope we can pick up many folks here from FS next year...

[DougS]

Hope we can pick up many folks here from FS next year...

I did the chase for the cup (8th after phoenix, Kenseth screwed me by running out of gas) this year and if everything works out I'll sign up for the whole year next year.

[FS Myron]

True the point system is different than it used to be, but the competition is FAR stiffer now than it used to be. Back when Cale won, there were three drivers finishing in the top 3 almost every race. Now you have 15 - 20 drivers who can score a top 3 on any given weekend. The fact that Johnson has dominated like this, during a 10 race sprint to the finish, is even more impressive in my opinion. If things don't change, i.e. Chad Knaus decide to go do something different, JJ could conceivably win seven in a row.