Johnson runs out of luck
I know we really can’t play the “what if” game, but it is really hard to do in the case of NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson.
Tony Stewart ended up 15th. Johnson didn’t have to win the race to be the Nextel Cup champion, but he did have to finish the race – and be racing for the win in the closing laps.
I watched the telecast. And I know the pit crews watch the telecast. Johnson was reporting a problem. His pit crew was well aware of a problem. Everyone watching TV knew that Johnson was having a problem – and the TV announcers seemed to go with the idea that various people were commenting on Johnson’s right-rear tire. But instead of pitting with 140 laps to go and hoping for a lucky break, Johnson crashed out.
He got exactly what he deserved at that point. With 140 laps remaining, he might not have gotten back on the lead lap, but we’ll never know because he crashed out. But hoping for luck is better than crashing out and not even being in a position to hope for anything until next year.
Robert E. Forman, Lakewood
Avs staff not getting job done
Thanks for the belly laugh from Joe Sakic’s quote (Nov. 22, “Colorado Flames Out,” page 1D) after the Avalanche’s third shootout loss of the season: “Maybe in practice, we’re going to have to start working on penalty shots.”
Any staff with a complete brain would have added such practice the instant the NHL’s “shootout” concept was officially announced. I used to think that because I can’t ice skate myself, I knew less about hockey than the Avalanche staff. Apparently, I was wrong. Unfortunately for Pierre Lacroix, coaching hockey doesn’t interest me.
Bryce Avery, Johnstown
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