Feud of the Week: Toyota's flexing its muscles -- and turning in victories - NASCAR

Pete Pistone	Brian De Los Santos
Are you surprised how quickly Toyota has come to dominate NASCAR? Is there a risk in Toyota becoming too dominant?
I'm not at all surprised at the turnaround Toyota has had this year after its dismal season of a year ago, but I didn't expect them to win this often and in such dominating fashion. The obvious answer is Joe Gibbs Racing and what that team has brought to the effort, which has had a halo effect on some of the other Toyota teams including Braun Racing in the Nationwide Series as well as Team Red Bull and Bill Davis Racing in Cup. I think there is a risk of backlash from fans if they dominate too much -- just like when one driver wins all the time fans get tired of seeing one manufacturer do the same. But guess what, I think fans better get used to it because I see the Toyota fortunes getting much better before they slow down any.	I figured Toyota would improve this year after hooking up with Joe Gibbs Racing, but I never saw this coming. It makes you wonder whether the three U.S. automakers are going to be able to remain viable in NASCAR. Sure, there have been dominant seasons by other manufacturers in years past, but the swiftness with which Toyota has come to dominate is the real issue. The non-Toyota contingent had voiced its concern about Toyota's deep pockets when NASCAR granted the manufacturer eligibility. It's looking more and more as if the objection had merit. I would think Dodge would be in a precarious position right now -- its teams have mostly struggled over the last several years and I wouldn't be surprised if some decide to jump on the Toyota bandwagon next season.

Frady asks: With Jeff Gordon only signing an extension with Dupont until 2010 and him stating he wants to retire with Dupont as his sponsor, do you see Jeff Gordon retiring after the 2010 season?

Believe it or not, I think Jeff Gordon will retire in two more seasons. Unlike some of the older generation drivers like Sterling Marlin, Ricky Rudd and Terry Labonte, who even after 30-plus year careers stay around the sport, Gordon is part of the newer breed of drivers who have other ventures and opportunities to occupy their time. Gordon is a businessman, and I expect to see him stay involved in racing in some capacity, but I don't believe he wants to stay behind-the-wheel much longer and his comments over the weekend seem to indicate he has an out plan.

When I heard this news, I didn't necessarily see that as the end game, but enough people have brought it up that you have to wonder. Gordon really has nothing left to prove as a driver and the NASCAR schedule is a grind. With a young daughter -- and, who knows, maybe more kids in his future -- it makes sense, even though he'll only be 39 at the end of that season. Having children has a way of changing a person's outlook on things. Even if he doesn't retire after that 2010 season, I don't see him driving many more years beyond that.

Can the Joe Gibbs gang be beaten at Pocono? Who may be a sleeper?
This is the fist time the new Sprint Cup car has been raced at Pocono and if the test there a couple weeks ago is any indication it may be the biggest crapshoot of the season. There wasn't much good said about the way the car handles at the triangular track during that test which leads me to believe we're going to see more of a parade than a race again unfortunately. Kyle Busch, who plans on running trucks in Texas Friday night and Nationwide in Nashville Saturday night as well as Pocono on Sunday will be in the mix as always but I look for a good run from Carl Edwards again. As for a sleeper, Casey Mears runs well there and a win would help his miserable season immensely.	Can they be beaten? Sure they can, if Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart all wreck. I'm more inclined to pick a 1-2-3 finish by the trio. Hamlin has two wins and has never finished worse than sixth in four trips to Pocono. I'd be stunned if he can't pick up at least a top three there this weekend in this year's JGR hot rod. Pocono hasn't been particularly kind to Kyle in the past (just two top 10s in six starts), but I have a hunch that will change this year. Stewart has 13 top 10s -- including five in a row -- in 18 trips to Pocono. For a sleeper, Brian Vickers might not be a bad bet. It was one of his better tracks when he was with Hendrick Motorsports. In six visits between 2004-06, he had three top fives and never ended worse than 14th.
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