Dodge Boy Kurt Busch Comes Up a Little Short in 2009

Posted on November 23rd, 2009 • by J.R.

First, let me congratulate the Penske’s #2 Miller Lite Dodge team, its driver Kurt Busch and crew chief Pat Tryson, for they gave it their all during this 2009 championship run. Today was no different as they went with a gutsy two-tire and fuel strategy with 47 laps remaining for the win, or at least a top-five finish at Homestead. Instead of finishing first at the checkers they came home in fourth place. But no one can say they left anything on the racetrack having finished with top 10 finishes in 8 of the final 10 races.

I’m sure if asked, Kurt or Pat wished they could just rerun the two back-to-back race weekends of Martinsville and Talladega. For if the results were similar to the other 8 races we definitely wouldn’t be talking about Hendrick’s Motorsports 1, 2, 3 sweep for the 2009 Sprint Cup. And just maybe, the sports world would be discussing how the #2 Dodge team de-throned a 3-time champion. But it wasn’t to be as the #2 race team came up a little short.

With today’s celebration of the first-ever fourth consecutive Sprint Cup Champion in NASCAR history — Jimmie Johnson, we begin speculation for the 2010 season. Next year we already know that there are many changes for Dodge’s NASCAR race teams. Pat Tryson leaves Penske Racing and moves over to work for Michael Waltrip Motorsports; Richard Petty Motorsports switches all of its race teams to run Blue Ovals. And, with that move Dodge loses the likes of fan-favorite driver Kasey Kahne, and the new up and coming A.J. Allmendinger, and the seasoned south-Virginia native – Elliott Sadler to the competition.

However, the biggest disappointment for me with the closing of the race year is the fact the name “Richard Petty”, which to me has always been synonymous with racing a Chrysler product in NASCAR ends. I understand that Richard has raced Fords, Pontiacs and Buicks before, but for the most part Richard Petty went with the word Chrysler, Dodge and Hemi. He and his racing organizations have been the backbone of the product in NASCAR racing. George Gillett and the King made a business decision, some of this I’m sure is Chrysler’s to blame as well, but the bottom line is it stinks!

Some will say Dodge’s footprint on the sport of NASCAR I love so much may have become too small for it to enjoy the benefits of its participation. Others suggest it will allow the company to focus its budget better to make a few cars more competitive. I’m not sure either is true, but for sure this is a fact: There will be fewer drivers/teams to root for on race Sundays and I just don’t see this as good news for Dodge or Chrysler company.

So, for now let’s celebrate the success of the #48 Lowe’s team of Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus; their accomplishment is truly remarkable, one which it’s likely we will not to see again. They are due a big round of respect — as they are the benchmark for success in NASCAR. Maybe Dodge can work on getting them to jump ship from Hendrick Motorsports — fat chance! As I know they are already turning their attention toward winning a record 5th straight Sprint Cup next year. So, the news for the only factory-supported teams at Dodge is tighten those belts, boys, and get to work. For the competition will not be sleeping, and will work even harder next year to set another milestone. With Daytona only three months away there is little time to think and everyone associated with Chrysler-Dodge racing and the Penske three car teams must get to work to be even more competitive week-in, week-out. By 2011 there may yet be another manufacturer in the mix- Volkswagen!

Final Race at Homestead, FL (Dodge Finishes):
#2 (Miller Lite), Kurt Busch, 4th
#9 (Budweiser), Kasey Kahne, 17th
#77 (Mobil 1), Sam Hornish, Jr., 21st
#12 (Penske Racing), Brad Keselowski, 25th
#43 (Siemens), Reed Sorenson, 40th
#19 (Best Buy), Elliott Sadler, 41st

SPRINT CUP 2009
Champion – #48 Chevy, Jimmie Johnson
2. #5 Chevy, Mark Martin
3. #24 Chevy, Jeff Gordon
4. #2 Dodge, Kurt Busch
5. #11 Toyota, Denny Hamlin
6. #14 Chevy, Tony Stewart
7. #16 Ford, Greg Biffle
8. #42 Chevy, Juan Montoya
9. #39 Chevy, Ryan Newman
10. #9 Dodge, Kasey Kahne
11. #99 Ford, Carl Edwards
12. #83 Toyota, Brian Vickers

J.R.
22 Nov 2009