Reid Spencer NASCAR Wire Service

1236 posts

Dale Earnhardt Jr isn’t Expecting a Saturday Miracle

Dale Earnhardt Jr., the driver of the #88 AXALTA Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway on September 8, 2017, in Richmond, Virginia. Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

From the standpoint of a large portion of the NASCAR fan base, no outcome at Richmond Raceway could be better than Dale Earnhardt Jr. winning Saturday night’s Federated Auto Parts 400 and qualifying for the playoff in his last season of full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series racing.

But Earnhardt himself doesn’t consider that a likely prospect. Continue reading →

Is Jimmie Johnson Playing ‘Possum Again?

Jimmie Johnson drives the #48 Lowe’s Throwback Chevrolet during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 3, 2017, in Darlington, South Carolina. Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

Given that Jimmie Johnson has once again endured his typical summer doldrums, there’s not much buzz about a record eighth championship for the driver of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

But Johnson is following a familiar pattern, one that was repeated during many of his seven championship seasons—win early, struggle in the summer months and triumph late. In fact, that’s what happened last year, when Johnson won his record-tying seventh title. Continue reading →