Our experts weigh in on four of the biggest questions in auto racing as the Sprint Cup Series braces for Chase race No. 8 Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway:Turn 1: Would a seventh Jimmie Johnson title be more impressive than Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt reaching that mark?Ricky Craven, ESPN NASCAR analyst: I remember drivers like Cale Yarborough expressing how they felt Dale Earnhardts (then-tying) seventh title came under stiffer competition than Richard Pettys. I believe the same could be said for Johnson if he pulls it off in a few weeks. With a seventh, the greatest of all time debate heats up.Ryan McGee, ESPN.com:?I think what hes done is every bit as amazing as what they did, and I also think you can make a pretty strong argument that its been more difficult. Theres a parity level both in equipment and in talent that has existed during Johnsons career that didnt during Petty and Earnhardts reigns. Like The King, hes also managed to win titles in different versions of the points system. I know some claim the Chase (all versions of it) and rules like lucky dogs and wave-arounds have made it easier for Johnson, but I would argue the opposite. I think those rules also brought the field back to him a lot of times when he would have benefited from being able to check out.John Oreovicz, ESPN.com: It probably would be more impressive, given that Petty usually had only four to five quality cars to beat in his era and Earnhardt had maybe 10. There are more competitive car/driver combinations in the modern era, not to mention the way the Chase stacks everything that matters at the end of the season. Obviously you have to have seven to get to eight, but in the long run, No. 8 is the one that really matters.Bob Pockrass, ESPN.com: More impressive. The 10-race Chase format before the elimination rounds were added was the toughest championship format, because a driver had to run great through that entire 10-race stretch.Turn 2: Is Johnson the driver NASCAR needs in the Championship Round for interest and ratings?Craven:?It absolutely creates interest. The other seven drivers simply dont have the same brand recognition. That said, I also believe a championship against Jimmie might have a bit more meaning for drivers seeking a second title like Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick or Matt Kenseth, so theres appeal in that. Jimmie definitely brings value to the championship race.McGee:?Yes. Its a little strange in that among hardcore NASCAR fans hes always seemed to generate as much animosity as he has cheers. But theres no question that his drive for a seventh Cup will attract national media attention that none of the other drivers can. Its like Jeff Gordons final race (at the time) one year ago. There were media outlets at Homestead that wouldnt normally be there, especially on a huge NFL/college football weekend. I can tell you firsthand that well be doing a ton of stuff there for SportsCenter. Im not sure wed be planning as much as we are if not for his shot at history.Oreovicz: I think so. With Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart about to depart the scene, Johnson will remain the sports only true superstar in terms of championships and chasing records. As talented and polarizing as Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick may be, they dont move the needle like JJ does. Hes the gold standard until any of the upcoming 20-somethings start to make their mark.Pockrass:?Yes and no. NASCAR needed someone other than the four Toyota drivers to advance to the championship round. But Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano and Kurt Busch would have filled that role as well. Johnson does add a little interest going for a seventh title, probably with just as many or more people rooting against him than for him.Turn 3: Lewis Hamilton is now tied for second all time in Formula One wins. Where do you rank him on your all-time F1 drivers list?Craven: In order: Phil Hill, Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna, Alan Prost, Lewis Hamilton.McGee: Hes on his way to building a case for No. 1, but not yet. Id go: (1) Michael Schumacher, (2) Ayrton Senna, (3) Juan Manuel Fangio, (4) Jim Clark, and have Hamilton racing Jackie Stewart and Alain Prost for fifth.Oreovicz: In the top 10, but certainly not among the true greats like Michael Schumacher, Juan Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. Fifty-one wins for Hamilton in the modern era equates to about half that number in the past, putting him on a level with Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda.Pockrass:?Probably fifth behind Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and Juan Manuel Fangio. Jackie Stewart and Jim Clark probably would make an argument to be in the top five ahead of Hamilton as well.Turn 4: Kevin Harvick likely needs another clutch performance to advance in the Chase. Does he have it in him?Craven:?He absolutely does, and his greatest advantage is having done it before. Harvick and crew chief Rodney Childers have fallen in this hole before, so they also know where the ladder is hidden.McGee: Yes. Phoenix sitting there as the final cutoff race feels custom-made for The Closer.Oreovicz: A lot of people already have a Phoenix win gift-wrapped and placed under a Homestead palm tree for Harvick, and it would be a great story if it happens. But sooner or later, that streak is going to end.Pockrass:?Yes. Phoenix, where he has won six of the past eight races, provides that opportunity. But he plays with fire every time he gets in that position. 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Lewis Hamilton believes Mercedes gap over the rest of the field is significant at the Italian Grand Prix after finishing Friday practice 0.453s clear of his nearest non-Mercedes rival.At the last race in Belgium, Hamiltons teammate Nico Rosberg took pole by just 0.149s from Max Verstappen, which was Mercedes smallest margin to a rival since the Monaco Grand Prix in May, where Red Bulls Daniel Ricciardo secured pole position. But during Friday practice at Monza, Red Bulls power deficit dropped Verstappen and Ricciardo to fifth and sixth, with Ferrari becoming the second best team albeit nearly half a second behind Hamilton.Its hot out there but the track feels really good with lots of grip and I found a good balance in the end, particularly going into my second stint, Hamilton said. So Im really happy with it and we got through our run plan and we are looking very strong this weekend.Its strange how one weekend you are stronger than another [weekend] as a team, but the car feels good this weekend.I have no idea what the gap will be tomorrow, but it looked significant today compared to some of the other races. It will be interesting to see what changes tomorrow.Hamilton suffered a series of front lock ups during his long runs in practice and said getting braking right was one of the biggest challenges at Monza.ddddddddddddeah, its very hard to find braking points. Also you are trying to look after your tyres so you have to find a balance with how far forward you put your brake balance. If you put it further rear your tyres dont last so long because you under-rotate your rears, so you are right on the edge of the grip level of the front tyres throughout the whole braking, making sure you get it right. But a lock-up here is so costly and generally its a one-stop always here, which isnt good.Generally I think they need to do better in the future with the tyre compounds because a one-stop race is so boring for everyone. When you have more stops it puts more confusion into the mix and more opportunity.The fact the super-soft can go quite a big distance here, last year I think it was 26 laps and this year I think it will be something similar -- but it is what it is and we are doing the best job we can with and trying to make sure we dont have a lock up, look after your tyres and dont lose time going through those extra barricades at the chicanes. 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