Fans were the honorary Grand Marshalls for the start of the Tums 500 race at the Martinsville on Sunday. Once a sure sellout, attendance was probably far short of that, around 55,000. Do we blame the falling attendance numbers on the country’s economic woes - or those of a single underperforming driver who drives the 88 car? (Photo: Associated Press)

- For those who oppose Jimmie Johnson’s bid for a fourth straight Sprint Cup championship, it could be worse. It has been worse. A year ago at this point, Johnson led the standings by 149 points. This year his edge is just 118.

- Martinsville winner Denny Hamlin has flashed the performance necessary to contend, but he lacks the consistency. Hamlin has top-five finishes in three of the six Chase races to date. In the other three, though, he’s finished 22nd, 37th and 42nd.

- No one knows the consequences of one bad race more than Juan Pablo Montoya, who has finished third or better in five of six Chase events. A 35th place at Lowe’s Motor Speedway translates to Montoya trailing Johnson by 200 points.

- Attendance remains a concern. Martinsville, where sellouts were once common, hosted a crowd estimated in the post-race report at 64,000. That was probably overstated by at least 10,000.

- It would be interesting to see some analysis of NASCAR’s recent struggles in the areas of attendance and television ratings. How much effect is derived from the country’s struggling economy? How much can be traced to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s struggles?

- No one is within 100 points of Johnson. Three drivers are within 200. Two more are within 300. Three more are within 400. Two more are within 500. Brian Vickers trails by 530.

- Johnson has won three of the six Chase races. At the next one, he will likely concentrate on staying out of trouble. Talladega may be the biggest obstacle in his path.

- Of the remaining Chase races, only at Homestead-Miami Speedway has Johnson never won.

- The past two Talladega races have ended with controversial finishes. Tony Stewart won a year ago when Regan Smith, who crossed the finish line first, was penalized, and Brad Keselowski won earlier this year after being involved in a crash with Carl Edwards near the finish line.

- Hamlin has won twice this year in his native Virginia. None of Hamlin’s seven career victories occurred on high-banked tracks.

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