And, when the smoke cleared...we had exactly what we had expected since June: the Big Three Plus One.  In some ways, though, isn't that the way it should be?

It doesn't surprise me.  Its the way we are.  And, it's not just NASCAR fans, its any sports fans.

I know there are plenty of folks who are happy there will not be an 8th championship for Jimmie Johnson this year.  Many of them just because they don't want to see him pass Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.

I have received much abuse in social media since saying that I don't think Darlington should have the Throwback Weekend every year.  I'm not a party-pooper, I'm not Mr. Glass Half-Empty.  I said not every year, NOT, not forever

We talk a lot about how this is a team sport.  I hope the teams got a good rest last weekend; they're now in for a long, highly-intense run to the finish.

All it takes is one.  That's it.  One bonehead like that guy in Bristol can ruin things for everyone.

I've got to tell you, I'm really looking forward to the next three races.  We may not get the playoff drama we were hoping for, but the swapping around of tracks is giving us quite a variety of tracks and histories.

I spend a lot of time wondering whether or not we'd be better off without the social media we have today.  It certainly has its advantages.  Never before have we had access to as much information as quickly as we currently do.  And, in a sport like ours, we get a chance to see the driver's personalities away from the track.

As it turns out, Erik Jones' win at Daytona was a one week break from the dominance of The Big Three.  Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex, Jr. have now combined to win 14 of 19 races this year.

Ricky Stenhouse has been absolutely vilified since the end of Saturday's race at Daytona.  And, not without some justification.