Johnson wins seven NASCAR races this season, Sprint Cup one away

By David Mirsky

Jimmie nears the coveted Cup

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 11/9/08 — With only one more race left in NASCAR’S Sprint Cup Series for 2008, current champ, Jimmie Johnson edged one race closer to winning his third Sprint Cup championship in a row. The Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil, from the Phoenix International Raceway, is Johnson’s 7^th win of the season, and still leads Carl Edwards by a little more than 140 points. With only one race left in the season, Edwards is the only other driver who can mathematically win the championship. Unfortunately for late charger Greg Biffle, he’ll have to settle for a likely 3^rd place cup point’s finish with Jeff Burton and Jeff Gordon rounding out the top five.

The Phoenix Raceway is a small, quick, and narrow 1 mile tri-oval track that hosts two Sprint Cup races a year. They call this a “500” race, which usually means 500 miles, this race only goes 313 laps, on this 1 mile oval. After checking with several smarter friends, it was agreed that 313 laps on a 1 mile track can only equal 313 miles. So, it’s a little weird, wondering what they did with the other 187 miles/laps.

Anyway, at the last of 10 yellow flags, it was 4 laps to go, led by Jimmie Johnson. On his tail was Kurt Busch, driving his blue Penske number 2 car. These two ran their own sprint race for the final laps. Both drivers took their cars to the limits, nearly losing control as they slid their cars around the turns. The exhibition of these driver’s skills were something to see. Either of these two drivers could have won the race, but as it turned out, Johnson prevailed, most likely with the help of the 4 fresh tires he taken only laps before the restart.

Coming out of the final turn, on the final lap, a ten car pile up took place, which included Juan Pablo Montoya, who for the second week in a row, wrecked. Despite the crash, Montoya managed to finish in 17^th place. Jeff Gordon had a miserable day, starting in 7^th position, and ending up with engine problems in 41^st. Basically, the race was quick and sloppy…but very entertaining.

Next weekend ends NASCAR’S 2008 season, where Carl Edwards will try to upset odds-on favorite, Jimmie Johnson for the title, or…Johnson will continue on his hot streak either winning or finishing ahead of Edwards for a 3^rd straight Sprint Cup Championship. A 3-peat had only been accomplished once before by Cale Yarborough nearly 30 years ago.

Next week’s NASCAR finale will be the Ford 400 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, ending this very long and very exciting season.