With half of the Chase races completed, Jimmie Johnson is doing what he has done the past three years. He is taking control of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase and appears to be on his way to another championship.
Johnson won Saturday night’s race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. This win was Johnson’s third in the first five Chase races this season. It also extended his points lead to 90.
Johnson and his #48 Lowe’s team have the momentum going into the final half of the Chase to earn them another championship. If Johnson does manage to win the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup, it will be his fourth in a row. The championship would break the record of three in a row that Johnson currently holds with Cale Yarborough.
Johnson has been nearly perfect in the first half of the Chase. He has an average finishing place of third in the first five races.
The win Saturday night was a sweet one for Johnson. It was the last NASCAR race at what is called Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Lowe’s is not going to be returning as the track naming sponsor for the Charlotte Motor Speedway next year.
Johnson has fondly referred to the Lowe’s Motor Speedway as “His House.” Lowe’s will continue to sponsor Johnson and his Hendrick Motorsports team.
Johnson’s 90 point lead is over his own teammate, Mark Martin. A 17th place finish for Martin at the Charlotte race lost Martin 78 points to Johnson. Martin received damage to his front end when he bumped into Juan Pablo Montoya on a restart.
The chain-reaction fender bender on the restart that gave Martin his damage, also possibly costs Montoya his chance at the Sprint Cup Championship. Montoya ended up finishing 35th for the race and dropped from third to sixth in the points.
Johnson had to battle another Chase contender for most of the race. Kasey Kahne was the fastest car of the night. During the last pit stop, some lug nuts were left loose on one of Kahne’s tires causing handling issues for him. Kahne was only able to hold onto a third place finish.
The points standings for the Sprint Cup Chase after the Lowe’s race are: Johnson, Martin, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Montoya, Greg Biffle, Ryan Newman, Kahne, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin and Brian Vickers.
The Chase contenders start the final half of the Sprint Cup Chase next Sunday at Martinsville. History says Johnson should continue on his path to another championship at the short track. He has won five of the last six races at Martinsville.
Written by Denise Clay
Hickory, NC
Exclusive to HULIQ
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