Jimmie Johnson Has Fans Frustrated

If Darlington is the “Lady in Black”, Bristol is the lady in black and blue. Bristol, the “World’s Fastest Half Mile”, has a tendency to beat on these drivers and instigate some short tempers and feuding drivers. Though there was no pushing and shoving going on in pit road post-race, there were plenty of unhappy drivers once all was said and done. Among the fans, however, one common theme rang true:

“Other than Jimmie winning the Cup race, this weekend’s races were alright,” said Fred Laier, 26, of Vineland, N.J.

Many fans felt like the racing was competitive this weekend, but the end result wasn’t to their liking. After all, Johnson has won three of the first five races this season and the last four championships. No wonder people are sick of him!

“Jimmie isn’t my favorite driver, so a part of me gets a tad disgusted when JJ is up front every week,” said Tara Simon, 29, of Springdale, Ariz. “On the other hand, NASCAR is tough competition right now. To have a specific team dominate as they do is pretty mind boggling in that respect.”

It’s difficult to downplay what the No. 48 team has been able to accomplish. After all, they’ve been able to accomplish things even the most revered drivers of the sport were never able to. Still, it’s not much fun for the fans to witness. Many feel that Johnson and the team are making the racing more predictable, and there’s no reason to tune in when you already know who’s going to win the race.

However, a race fan, who likes to call herself “99FanGirl”, says that the team isn’t doing anything different than what everyone else is doing … they’re just doing it better.

“The 48 team has found the formula to winning, and are using it,” she said. “Isn’t that what they are supposed to be doing?”

Meanwhile, on the Nationwide Series side of things, Justin Allgaier was celebrating his first career win. This is Allgaier’s second full season in the Nationwide Series, but many people felt like this win was a long time coming.

“It was great to see Justin Allgaier win his first race,” said Ellen Pasko, 48, of Salt Lake City, Utah. “He really earned it. I was glad Brad didn’t try to wreck him. I didn’t really expect Brad would, but anything can happen at Bristol.”

Brad is known for his aggressive driving style, and his “never back down” attitude that has gotten him in trouble with other drivers. So when Keselowski started inching ever closer to teammate Allgaier in the closing laps of the race, many race fans held their breath. Would Keselowski really wreck a teammate?

“I kind of thought he would, but very glad he didn’t,” said Stephen Anderson, 61, of Kansas. “He would have had some explaining to do to Mr. Penske if he wrecked them both. And I think he might have learned something from ATL.”

Could the Keselowski we have all come to know and—depending on who you are—love or hate be changing? Who knows? We’ll see how he reacts the next time he’s running in second with one lap to go. He could surprise us.

Summer Dreyer - ARN Writer