Forget titles, there's more to watch at Homestead
With the champagne that was consumed by the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team on Sunday, is there really any reason to refer to this week as Champion's Week at Homestead-Miami Speedway?
Sure, we could fast forward to Sunday night's celebration in South Beach, but for the non-Jimmie Johnson fans out there, here are five other captivating headlines to watch.
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1. Jamie McMurray will drive the No. 1 Chevrolet in 2010
OK, folks. Big surprise, right? Apparently, a one-year deal was inked last Wednesday and is expected to be announced sometime on Tuesday. Kevin "Bono" Manion is expected to continue on as the crew chief.
Now will McMurray prove you can go home again or will he be the test driver for Juan Pablo Montoya's 2010 championship run? In the last few months, the Nos. 1 and 42 cars have worked more closely together. That originally was the plan given the preexisting relationship between Manion and Montoya's crew chief Brian Pattie. As Montoya's season took off, however, Martin Truex Jr. couldn't find speed beyond qualifying.
But the tide between teams appeared to turn in the last five weeks as Truex finally strung together three top-15 finishes, including a season-best fifth-place run on Sunday. The turnaround for the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet team should provide encouragement for McMurray.
2. George Gillett speaks out
Kansas was the last time we've seen George Gillett at the racetrack. In the interim, any updates on the Richard Petty Motorsports/Yates merger have been deferred to Robby Loomis, who Gillett refers to as "the competition director and a great guy and a good friend." But Loomis, Gillett's million dollar man, is compensated well for placating the press.
So if you want to know whether the merger will be complete, just ask George.
"As you know already, things delay and you never know it. There are things that are not personal, they're not problems. It's just that things get delayed," Gillett said. "Remember our Montreal (Canadiens) deal was supposed to close in September and here we are in the November and it won't close for another week or 10 days (at an estimated $575-$600 million).
"Things slow down, but nobody is at fault and there are no problems in any of the discussions that I am aware of. The wheels need Valvoline."
Apparently, the Yates Racing shop is being renovated to accommodate the incoming three RPM teams and some cars have already been moved. A formal announcement regarding the merger could be made this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. That wouldn't be a bad thing considering that AJ Allmendinger's 13th-place finish was top among the Fusions.
3. Team Keselowski or Team Hamlin? You decide
Trackside with Lee Spencer
 Stop stalling: Is Danica coming to NASCAR? She wasn't at Phoenix and some wonder if a deal will happen.  Meet and Greet: A day after his feud with Denny Hamlin reignited, Brad Keselowski got to meet with NASCAR's brass.  Who's that? Formula One star Jarno Trulli was spotted in the garage this weekend, and he was doing more than just watching. More from Lee Spencer |
As the feud between these young guns continued on Saturday, there was a discussion in the media center between two NASCAR tour regulars on whether they would side with Brad Keselowski or Denny Hamlin. Now, while journalists are supposed to be objective and the discussion was all in good fun, why pick sides when any rivalry is good for the sport?
Hamlin is certainly winning the trash-talking battle. His Twitter updates are priceless. Following a podium finish on Sunday, it was game on for Hamlin in cyberspace after Keselowski was collected in both multi-car wrecks. When it comes to head games, Keselowski is displaying what his current Nationwide Series owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., refers to "mental toughness." Junior admits that even he underestimated Keselowski's will.
On the racetrack, these two are in relatively similar equipment. Hamlin's cars have been strong but inconsistent at times. Certainly, the competition would be better if Keselowski had the Hendrick Motorsports juggernaut behind him next year. And since Keselowski's crew chief has not been decided upon, it's too early to make a call on how these two will compare in 2010.
4. Keep an eye on DARTFISH
It's a computer overlay program that sports teams use to compare athletes. NASCAR has been using this technology for about five years and every team has access to it. The program works during practice, qualifying and happy hour to help drivers establish the best line around the racetrack. On race day, pit crew coaches use the film to determine the best moves during stops and where crew members are losing or gaining speed. The teams can also use it to help drivers find ways to cut down on their time on pit road.
Game over
 Rivals got their chance. But Sunday at Phoenix, Jimmie Johnson all but wrapped up his fourth title, Lee Spencer says. |
5. Final thoughts
