Will Economics Help Jr In the 2009 500?

"I'm going to make the assumption that most people who may read this post are familiar with the size and power of the Jr Nation!"

I have been reading article after article about how the sanctioning body needs Jr to win the 500 in '09.  The reasons seem to run the gamut from saving Chevrolet, saving the national economy, selling out the tracks, boosting TV ratings, merchandise sales, winning the war on terror, supporting the troops, on and on. 

I have long ago surmised that the sanctioning body has placed its entire business model on Jr, it is evident everywhere in the stock car racing community.  I am led to wonder why a company so big would place all of their chips on one number?  Oh well, I should save that discussion for another day.

After reading all of those articles my mind could not help but think about whether or not the sanctioning body would be tempted to influence the race somehow?  All of the polling data seems to suggest that if Jr does not start out with a win at the 500 it could be a very long financially painful season for the sanctioning body. 

All of this is worth mentioning because Jr has had some very dramatic wins at just the right times in recent Cup history. The 2001 Pepsi 400, most of the restrictor plate wins in '01-'04, Talladega on cue, and most recently June '08 at Michigan (this occurred in the same week the sanctioning body was hit with a 250m lawsuit, and Jr had a two year winless streak).  It just seems like Jr gets some very big wins when the sanctioning needs them most. 

Please don't misunderstand me, I'm not suggesting that any organized cheating has or will occur with regards to Jr.  I'm only begging the question "given all that is at stake and the fanatical nature of Jr's fans, Jr's name, and the risk-benefit, if they are tempted to influence the outcome?" 

I would like nothing more than to enjoy a fair and balanced race this coming week where everybody has to abide by the same rules.  I'm really hoping to not see the 88 advancing it's position below the yellow line, passing the pace car to save gas, speeding on pit road and not get penalized, passing seven or eight drafting cars by himself in the last two laps for the win (not really possible).

I really don't have a favorite driver, and would welcome and congratulate any driver that ran a clean and fair race to include Jr.  With all that is at stake financially I just hope the powers that be can keep it right! 

BTW how hard is it to get a "special" plate?

dd