If Jimmie Johnson wins the Nextel Cup championship Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, nobody can accuse him of not having earned it.
Every NASCAR driver wants to win, but when the Nextel Cup Series title is on the line, it is not uncommon for a team go “point racing,” when a driver takes fewer risks to make sure he does not jeopardize position in the standings, especially in a close race.
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But not Johnson.
By winning the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway ? his fourth consecutive win ? Johnson is riding the longest hot streak NASCAR has seen in years. And it could not have come at a better time for the No. 48 Lowe?s Chevy.
The impressive part is Johnson?s timing. At a point where most drivers would be conservative, Johnson has never been more aggressive. Instead of driving conservatively and finishing in the top-10, Johnson pushes his car to the limit, despite having a comfortable, 86-point lead over teammate and friend, Jeff Gordon.
“I need every point. There?s no telling how things are going to go in Homestead,” Johnson said referring to this Sunday?s Ford 400. “I know how good Jeff Gordon is, and how good his team is. If we put our guard down and don?t try to score maximum points every week, we?re going to get beat.”
For as good as Johnson thinks Gordon is, that is how everyone else views Johnson during his dominant season.
“They?re just unbelievably good. They?re as good as any group I?ve seen,” Matt Kenseth said. “They?re so good. I don?t know how you put yourself in position to win like that every week.”
The last driver to win four straight races, ironically, was Gordon in 1998. Gordon won his second consecutive Cup title that year, so it?s natural to draw comparisons, even if Johnson said its inappropriate.
“I don?t want to be called the next Jeff Gordon,” Johnson said. “I?ve always done it my way. Youtalk to him, you look at our driving styles and anything we do, we?re on opposite ends.”
Though many drivers would want to be compared with Gordon, who is one of NASCAR?s most popular and richest drivers, we need to keep Johnson?s history-making season in perspective.
“No one?s won five in a row?” Johnson joked after the race. “Let?s try to get that.”
All Johnson has to do is finish 18th or better this weekend at Homestead to lock up his second consecutive championship. He may not win his fifth in a row, but one thing is certain when the green flags drops at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Johnson won?t be out there points racing.
Get up to speed on the latest in NASCAR – listen to Wilson?s Race Report every weeknight at 8:25 on 93.1 WPOC.
