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NASCAR To Wrap Up at Homestead
By Chris Hughes
BHSN.com
JOHNSON LEAVES LITTLE DOUBT, AGAIN
Jimmie Johnson enters the Ford 400 with a 108 point lead over Mark Martin, the only other man who can leave south Florida with the Sprint Cup (Jeff Gordon will be eliminated from contention once the race begins). If Martin wins the race and leads the most laps, Johnson could finish as low as 25th and still win a record fourth-consecutive championship. In Johnson's three previous Homestead races, he's had points leads of 63, 86 and 141. Those are all comfortable margins, and they've all held up.
JOHNSON ENTERING A NEW LEVEL OF LEGENDS
The debate will rage on about Jimmie Johnson and whether his path to a Cup championship has been easier due to the 10-race Chase for the Cup that largely decides all championships since 2004. But, the record book will show that Johnson, if he hangs on, will become only the fourth driver to win four championships at NASCAR's highest level. He'll join teammate Jeff Gordon (who also has four), and seven-time winners Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty.
MARTIN IN POSITION TO AGAIN BE THE BRIDESMAID
After running on a part-time basis the previous two seasons, Mark Martin joined Hendrick Motorsports with one goal in mind-to win a race. Martin went to victory lane five times and racked up seven poles this year, so he says this championship chase has been pressure-free. But, if Martin is unable to overtake Johnson for the title, it will be the fifth time that he finishes runner-up in the points. Combine that with four third-place and three fourth-place finishes, and Martin is definitely the best driver in NASCAR history never to have won a championship.
NOT MUCH DRAMA ON CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND
Believe it or not, the Sprint Cup title chase is the only one with some intrigue left, as NASCAR's other two top series' championships are in the bag. Ron Hornaday clinched the Camping World Truck Series title last week at Phoenix, and Kyle Busch only needs to start the Ford 300 on Saturday to win the Nationwide Series title.
TEAMS AND DRIVERS HAVE PERSONAL FINALES
The Ford 400 at Homestead will be the last time you will see:
· Richard Petty's team running in a Dodge (RPM switches to Fords next season)
· Michael Waltrip as a full-time driver (he takes on a partial schedule starting in 2010)
· Jamie McMurray in a Roush Ford (he's the odd man out as Roush must comply with a NASCAR rule that limits owners to having only four teams)
· Martin Truex, Jr. racing with Earnhardt-Ganassi (the driver of the #1 car is moving to Michael Waltrip Racing)
RACE WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, Nov. 20
· 3:10 p.m. - Ford 400 Qualifying
· 5:00 p.m. - Ford 200 Qualifying
· 7:30 p.m. - Ford 200 Camping World Truck Series Race Begins
Saturday, Nov. 21
· 11:35 a.m. - Ford 300 Qualifying
· 2:50 p.m. - Ford 400 Final Practice
· 4:30 p.m. - Ford 300 Nationwide Series Race
Sunday, Nov. 22
· 3:30 p.m. - Ford 400 Sprint Cup Series Race
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