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Phoenix Fast Laps: The Chase Heats Up

Charlie Turner
Nov 5, 2008

Is it coincidence that the Sprint Cup Chase heads to the hottest place in NASCAR just when the suits in Daytonaย  would like you to think that theย playoff pressure is heating up for Jimmy Johnson and Carl Edwards?ย  I think not.

You gotta give Edwards and crew chief Bob Osborne credit. They arenโ€™t holding anything back in their attempt to make a game out of this Chase thing. Between banzai passes and high-stakes fuel strategies, the Office Depot Racing team is hanginโ€™ it out.

The 2008 Chase has becomeโ€”perhaps always wasโ€”a classic Chevyย  vs Ford battle. Dodge never showed and Toyota, strangely, never contended.

Last nightโ€™s live radio version of the Fast Lap was a classic battle too. Steve put up a good fight, only to be over-matched by his more experienced, and intelligent, oppositionโ€”me. At least thatโ€™s what I think. Weโ€™ll put our opinions up here later but in the meantime, weโ€™d like to see yours. Here you go. Batter up!ย 

1: NASCAR is backing off its 24 practice dates in 2009 strategy. What is the right number?

2: What was Greg Biffle REALLY asking after the race by wondering how the #99 team got eight more laps to a tank of fuel than his #16 team?

3: Dale Earnhardt Jr. said the season is too long. If it is, what is the right number?

4: Should there be any concern in the Joe Gibbs Racing organization over Joey Loganoโ€™s lack of performance in their cars?

Four Fast Laps but you only get a hundred words or less to respond to the questions. After that, the gloves are off and you can defend your position just like David Gilliland or Scott Speed. And nobody will sanction you even a little bit. Come on, we want to argue with you.

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media, Inc.