If you’re living under a rock or refusing to accept reality than you don’t know or have chosen not to acknowledge that Jimmie Johnson is more than likely going to win the Sprint Cup championship for the third straight season.
Granted there is a 141-point difference between Johnson and Carl Edwards, and this is NASCAR. So, anything’s possible, but luck is on Johnson’s side.
There are obviously several scenarios that could come into play this coming weekend for Johnson (or Edwards). The obvious one could be Johnson having a major problem and getting a DNF (did not finish) skyrocketing Edwards to the top of the points standings with a win. Unfortunately, that scenario isn’t the most logical or most likely.
The scenarios that are, of course, in favor of Johnson begins with him finishing 36th or better regardless of whether or not Edwards wins and leads the most laps. The second and third have him finishing 37th and leading a lap or finishing 39th and leading the most laps. Or he can simply win the race, which isn’t hard for him at this point in time.
After giving his best effort the past few weeks, it is time for Edwards to throw in the towel. However, that isn’t going to happen. Edwards doesn’t appear to be a quitter and he’s going to give it all he can this coming weekend in an effort to not only win his first Sprint Cup championship, but a second Nationwide championship.
Winning Saturday’s Nationwide race cut the 91 points difference between him and fellow Chaser and current Nationwide points leader, Clint Bowyer, to 56. That leaves the final race to decide the winner, unlike the previous two season when the winner was decided weeks before the final race. If only Edwards’ luck from the Nationwide series could follow him to the Sprint Cup series, he’d be like Johnson and would be sitting on top of the points.
Although, it is pretty much set in stone as to who will win the championship, it, however, isn’t set in stone as to who will win the final race of the season. Like the Johnson and Edwards scenarios, there are a few other scenarios as to who might win the race, but most of them are in the eyes (and hearts) of their devoted fans.
A non-Chaser hasn’t won a “Chase for the Sprint Cup” race yet this season. Could Kasey Kahne win another to end the season on a high note? Or can David Ragan, 13th in points, bring an end to his breakout season with his first career win?
Or it could very well be one of the Chasers who hasn’t had a win yet — Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick or Matt Kenseth. It is hard to believe that Gordon hasn’t won a single race this season, but it is fact.
Or can Kyle Busch put a cap on his season with a win to end a terrible Chase season? Maybe it just might be Johnson or Edwards to take the checkered flag as the winner — of both the race and the Championship.
Don’t miss:
From Homestead-Miami
- Sprint Cup qualifying, Friday at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN2
- Ford 200 (Craftsman’s truck race), Friday night at 7:30 on SPEED
- Ford 300 (Nationwide race), Saturday at 4 p.m. on ESPN2
- Ford 400 (Sprint Cup race), Sunday at 3 p.m. on ABC
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Nice article!
I think the championship is Jimmie’s to lose. I don’t expect him to play it really safe on Sunday but I don’t expect him to gamble either. He needs at least a 36th place finish (I believe it is), which barring an unforeseen circumstance, he’ll get pretty easily.