Many, if not most, had
written Jimmie off after his crash in the first Chase event in New Hampshire, and certainly being the victim of circumstance
that resulted in the spin down the backstretch at Talledega did not help his efforts, (but as written in this column on Will Jimmie Johnson Ever Catch a Break?) Johnson and Team are the best in the business in coming back from adversity, no matter what form it takes.
To be fair, Mark Martin was
also chosen as the “Completely Unscientific Pick” to win the Cup in this column Completely Unscientific Chase Predictions.
Interestingly, there are more
than a few differences in these two drivers, and even more interestingly, more than a few similarities. They differ greatly
in personality, yet both are calculating, rarely are involved in a controversy, drive a steady race and are ready to charge
at the end.
In a seeming irony, Johnson
has been patient and persevered and would apparently be on the cusp of the ultimate goal in the world of Cup racing. Martin
has been patient and persevered and yet never did achieve the Cup.
So just why are the results
different? Did Martin somehow zig when Johnson zagged? Have you ever scratched your head and asked the same question when
another person was promoted and perhaps it was someone that you respected a lot less than Martin respects Johnson?
Like the “rules”
involving bump drafting at Talledega or rough driving at Bristol, life is typically a lot less than fair, and may in fact be intended to be. The challenges that we face were and are designed uniquely for each of us, and
in the end, the ultimate wins in life are truly are defined by the classic colloquialism “It is not whether you win
or lose; it is how you play the game”.
Martin and Johnson have already learned how to play the game, racing their competitors fairly and accepting the
chips as they fall, with the understanding that they gave it their best and did so without compromising others along the way.
Hopefully Jimmie will now be able to deservedly add the Nextel Cup to that larger achievement, an achievement that is within
the grasp of us all.
Questions,
Comments;
Email Jay
The views and opinions in this article are
that of the writer(s) and not necessarily that of SCR
2006 StockCar Review.
