Already, we’ve written about Johnson’s excellent comeback at Dover, and how that should’ve made other teams take notice. Sunday, of course, was a similar storyline; setback early, rally in the middle, success story late. This time it was a blown tire that threatened the day. But Johnson hung in and made progress through the field.

Even after a late yellow – when Johnson was caught behind several cars that hadn’t pitted – it didn’t matter. Johnson zipped through them. And by the time there were 10 laps to go, the race was all but over. His lead over Matt Kenseth was too big, and Johnson cruised to victory.

His lead in the points has swelled to triple digits (107 points over Kenseth and 375 in front of third-place Jeff Burton). Without the 10-race Chase to the Nextel Cup, Johnson would be within arm’s length of the trophy.

And even though the Chase will reset the points totals, we’ll say it again: Rivals should be worried. When a driver can take lemons and make lemonade – as Johnson has done at Dover and now the Brickyard – there’s reason to think Johnson is closing the door on everyone else’s title hopes.

There are no other options in the D.C. metro area. According to the national track index at whowon.com, the next closest paved track in Virginia is Southside Speedway in Richmond, where Denny Hamlin was a past champion. In Maryland, there are only two paved ovals suitable for stock cars; one is south of La Plata – convenient only for those who have easy access to Rt. 301 – and the other is just west of the Delaware border. In West Virginia, Summit Point Raceway in Charles Town is the nearest option.

When I talked with former track champion Mark McFarland yesterday, he said that even though he lived in Winchester, ODS was the best option for him. McFarland, of course, eventually parlayed his success at ODS into a full-time ride in the Busch series.

Now, all those weekend warriors – like McFarland used to be – will either have to make plans to race elsewhere (which, logistically, won’t be easy) or give up their hobby altogether. And Virginia racing – and especially D.C. metro racing – will be far poorer because of it.

There’s no question that ODS served an audience and had a clear purpose; but that audience and purpose was outdone by the money the track’s 22 acres could reap.

Perhaps it’s just one those racin’ deals.

“I’d say good riddance,” she posted on our Web site. “I’m not a NASCAR fan and having the speedway close to our home and having to listen to the noise was a real nuisance.”

ODS has been in operation since 1952. If Ms. Carter and her home predates the track, then she has my full apologies and understanding.

However, if she does not, then there’s a problem.

If ODS and the noise it creates (and all auto racing tracks generate noise) is a problem, the solution is simple: Don’t move near the racetrack. Presumably, Ms. Carter and others would have done homework before buying a house close to a speedway.

When you buy a house, you’re also buying a piece of a neighborhood too. My wife and I live in an apartment in Alexandria that happens to look out onto a game preserve. Fortunately, my wife and I have no aversion to forests.

Some people may not want to live near a church because of Sunday morning traffic. Others may not want to live near a bar because of people walking around late at night. Myriad others may not want to live near various parts of the American infrastructure — football stadiums, highways, factories, and even racetracks.

But there’s always another option.

It may require a trade-off. Maybe you’d have to live by a highway or a football stadium or a factory. But if ODS and the noise it creates is simply too much to bear, then go elsewhere.

Surely, the value of the land is the primary reason for ODS’ closing. But it would be a shame to think that unhappy people living around the track had a hand in it too — particularly if they knew the risks going in.

Richard and Dickie Boswell. Dickie raced at ODS back in the 80s with the likes of Richard Petty and Darrell Waltrip. Richard Boswell no races for Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Danny Fair has five ODS track titles, has turned more laps at ODS then any other driver past, present or future and on top of that is one heck of a nice guy. This, ladies and gentleman, is what racing at Old Dominion Speedway is all about.