Know when to fold 'em

Concession speeches are usually reserved for elections.

When Jeff Gordon said Sunday evening in Phoenix International Raceway, "it's over, I think it's over," he was referring to the NASCAR Nextel Cup championship. That was a shock.

It's hard to imagine a four-time champion admitting defeat, facing an 86-point deficit to Phoenix winner Jimmie Johnson with one race remaining. That's a difficult disadvantage, but not impossible.

Yet Gordon, the driver whose team's motto had been "refuse to lose," conceded defeat, although he's not out of it yet.

Johnson, who won his fourth straight, needs to finish 18th or better to clinch his second straight title and he has all but demoralized the usually optimistic Gordon.

"Unless you lead every lap, beat Jimmy Johnson, and win " Gordon said with a nervous laugh. "We don't have a shot at it. Whatever they've got we're missing it."

Based on a NASCAR points system which still emphasizes consistency over wins, a driver who regularly finishes in the top 10 will likely be the one sitting on center stage at the Waldorf-Astoria when the trophies and checks are handed out after the season ends. The irony here is that, based on my calculations, Johnson has a finishing average of 4.7 while Gordon is at 5.2 over the nine races run in the Chase. That slight advantage looms large in the runner-up's psyche.

"I really thought the average finish we had would do it and it hasn't because they've been just they have been that spectacular," Gordon explained.

The best gauge of your own performance is usually that of your teammate's and that may be why Jeff is singing the blues. When your car and engine come out of the same shop as your closest rival's any small advantage of your teammate is magnified.

"I know what's under their car and I always shake my head. I don't know how see how they make that work," he said. "We've gotten beat. Bottom line: they've done the job to deserve to be champions and we haven't."