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Competition under hood results in better product (cont'd)
History made in Atlanta
After winning seven of the first 10 races on the season, I busted out my calculator and pumped out a column earlier this season declaring it possible for Hendrick Motorsports to actually break the modern NASCAR record for winning percentage by an owner in a single season.
Well, lo and behold, the Hendrick boys made it happen in Atlanta. Regardless of what happens the rest of the year this team has set a new mark for team excellence that, as we move forward, will be the standard for all other teams to be judged by.
Below are the numbers for the pacesetters of the past and the stats Hendrick has put up so far this year. The percentage as it stands for the Hendrick team is a bit eerie. Is that number trying to tell us something?
Chasing History
Highest winning percentage in a single season by one team (modern era)
| Team | Year | Wins/Races | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrick Motorsports | 2007 | 16/33 | 48.48% |
| Petty Enterprises | 1975 | 13/30 | 43.3% |
| Hendrick Motorsports | 1998 | 14/33 | 42.4% |
| Roush Racing | 2005 | 15/36 | 41.7% |
The Real Champion
My guess is that this will be clinched by next week and we can put this pet project to bed, but for now I'll continue posting the numbers. As a housekeeping item -- yes, I'm aware that Jeff Gordon would have won the 2004 championship were it not for the Chase. Hopefully this saves us a few dozen e-mails.
The Real Champion
Points if the Chase did not exist
| Pos. | +/- | Driver | Points | Behind | Starts | Poles | Wins | Top-5 | Top-10 | Winnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | -- | Jeff Gordon | 5010 | Leader | 33 | 7 | 6 | 20 | 27 | 6,658,090 |
| 2. | -- | Jimmie Johnson | 4571 | -439 | 33 | 3 | 8 | 18 | 21 | 6,757,460 |
| 3. | -- | Tony Stewart | 4386 | -624 | 33 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 22 | 5,968,520 |
| 4. | +1 | Carl Edwards | 4317 | -693 | 33 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 14 | 4,282,160 |
| 5. | +1 | Clint Bowyer | 4269 | -741 | 33 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 17 | 3,950,690 |
| 6. | -2 | Denny Hamlin | 4257 | -753 | 33 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 17 | 4,535,260 |
| 7. | +1 | Matt Kenseth | 4173 | -837 | 33 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 19 | 5,575,360 |
| 8. | -1 | Kyle Busch | 4165 | -845 | 33 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 18 | 4,282,090 |
| 9. | -- | Jeff Burton | 4119 | -891 | 33 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 15 | 5,588,720 |
| 10. | -- | Kevin Harvick | 3954 | -1056 | 33 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 7,075,280 |
| 11. | -- | Kurt Busch | 3922 | -1088 | 33 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 4,748,920 |
| 12. | -- | Martin Truex Jr. | 3838 | -1172 | 33 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 4,476,020 |
As time winds down in the Chase just nine points separate the top two drivers on the season, and frankly, in the sport. What other fate could this season have had in the end? Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon -- two teammates, two superstars, and two friends -- dueling for just one title.
My money (figuratively, of course) is on Johnson, but if the 48 team does pull this off, how can Jeff Gordon feel anything other than the victim of high thievery?
Enjoy the race.
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.
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© 2001-2012 NASCAR | Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved. NASCAR.COM is part of Turner - SI Digital, part of the Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network.
