Michigan Preview: Check Those Fuel Gauges, and These Three Teams

(Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images)

So free-agent-to-be Brian Vickers, who still hasn't officially re-signed with Team Red Bull just won his series high, sixth pole for the season and third straight at Michigan. Like I've written in the past, it should take Vickers all of half a lap to lose this prestigous privledge as he's historically horrible on restarts and starts in general.

It doesn't help his luck that the rejuvinated Mark Martin just happens to be starting alongside him on the outside pole. The only thing worse would have been if the monotone corporate sponsor-robot Jimmie Johnson had been there.

But for all the fans that like to play it safe by not cheering for a real driver, but rather a corporate clone like Johnson, you're in luck! The Prettyboy Pitchman is safely snuggled on the second row after qualifiying fourth.

He should be able to make this a fun race for about thirty laps or so, until His Monotony takes over the race lead and turns it into a 400 mile, follow-the-leader snoozefest like he threatened to do the last time at Michigan before he hilariously ran out of gas and finished 22nd.

I swear, if he wins this whole Cup championship again, for a record 4th consecutive time, thereby appropriately pushing aside NASCAR legends Cale Yaroborough and David Pearson both of whom have three consecutive titles, a lot of fans are going to be so turned off at the current system they are either going to demand changes or they will leave the sport forever.

I say appropriately since this NASCAR cares not for tradition but rather for entertainment as Jimmie is no exception. He's part of the problem but more on that in a future column, especially if he begins to dominate as he typically turns it up this time of year just in time for the Chase before winning half the Chase races.

Chase Preview:

With four races to go before the Chase we've currently got seven teams represented:

Hendrick Motorsports: Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, and Jimmie Johnson

Roush Fenway Racing: Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth

Penske Racing: Kurt Busch

Joe Gibbs Racing: Denny Hamlin

Richard Petty Motorsports: Kasey Kahne

Stewart-Haas Racing: Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman

Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing: Juan Pablo Montoya

While the parity may look encouraging, don't be fooled. That Hendrick trio as well as the Roush trio prove there is still work to be done towards this eutopia and Roush, for all its struggles this season, prove they are still consistent enough, even if they are boring, lunch pail drivers with minimal personalities.

Anyone for Matt Kenseth to Hendrick? He'd fit right in with Jimmie and his personality of that of a pillow case.

For those still concerned with Hendrick's positioning or a revival of last year's four team chase snoozer there all twelve drivers were represented by the "Big Four" power teams-Hendrick, Roush, Richard Childress Racing, and Joe Gibbs Racing, this year, of the last four drivers with any real chance of making The Chase, only Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer would come from those power teams. And in Bowyer's case, he'd be the first and only participant from his team this year, evidence of their decline.

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