Competition under hood results in better product

In my ongoing effort to ignore the teachings of everything offered at journalism school, I'm going to take out my giant verbal shovel and bury the lead. However, fear not, I'll get to Jimmie Johnson's history making win for Hendrick Motorsports at Atlanta Motor Speedway in due time.

Beau Estes co-hosts the Jack Daniel's Post-Race Show with Nikki Alexander. It can be seen following every Nextel Cup race live on NASCAR.COM.

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What I want to start with is a fleeting thought that raced across the transept of my mind as the laps were winding down during the weekend race. It's of a driver who finished 30th, some six laps off the pace. As Jimmie Johnson was grabbing a simultaneous yellow and checkered flag, my mind wandered to Tony Stewart. The uber popular (divisive, but yes popular) driver of the 20 car has just three races left in a Chevrolet. Texas, Phoenix and Miami then presto -- he's a Toyota man.

Normally, this manufacturer switch would mean less to me than the latest update on Britney Spears' custody battle. However, one of the pure pleasures of being a NASCAR writer is the access to unvarnished opinions from the fans. This is especially entertaining and enlightening when the word Toyota is contained in the subject line of correspondence. I actually get excited, and perhaps a bit frightened, when I come across one of these notes.

To paraphrase (because if I didn't I'd be fired and unceremoniously dispatched to Myanmar) the notes go something like this: "I hate Toyota. Did you know they were made in Japan?" Surely you jest! "I hope they never win a race in America."

I'm not kidding with what I wrote above. It's a fairly accurate composite sketch of "The Toyota Ramblings." During the race on Sunday, I received one such note and it was for that reason that I began to take a particular interest in the struggles of Mr. Stewart. What do people hope happens to him next year? Would they like to see him and Denny Hamlin finish outside the top 30?

This gets me to my most important question. What are these fans so afraid of? Do they think that Tony and Denny are going to win each and every race next year? For my money I think the Chevys, Fords and Dodges of the world can handle the competition. I don't think they need to somehow be protected from Toyota like they are the junior varsity and racing against the likes of a foreign automaker will expose this to the world at large.

For me the race to beat the other guy makes NASCAR better. Imagine if the sport was populated by only Dodges, or just Chevys -- or perhaps solely Fords. There would be no push to get better from a manufacturer's standpoint.

Further to the point of American automakers' ability to handle competition and keep up with the warp speed push of technology, I saw an article this week that infused me with the belief that if presented with a challenge, U.S. car companies can respond.

Apparently, as early as 2010, Chevy will release a new car called the Volt. If you drive less than 40 miles a day, this car will never need gasoline. Additionally, they are working on a plan that could eliminate the power companies from the deal as well. If things go according to plan the car could use a solar battery charger, thus becoming nearly free to operate during the first 40 miles per day.

I don't see this type of technology, however, becoming the driving force behind the next COT. This weekend at AMS, I actually tried to imagine a race that was nearly silent as electric cars are. It just doesn't work for NASCAR. "Gentlemen, start your engines" just wouldn't be the same if following that command the drivers simply pushed a button that had no audible effect.

Still, my point remains the same. Our manufacturers are at their best when presented with stiff competition and in the end everyone gets a better product. So whether it's Tony Stewart heading to Toyota, or a Toyota Prius pushing the edge of technology and presenting us with the Chevy Volt -- I'm confident the home team is fully capable of answering the call.

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?

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.

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.