Motorsports

All but officially over

Jimmie Johnson's fourth win a row ups his points lead as Jeff Gordon acknowledges the end to come.

By BRANT JAMES, Times Staff Writer
Published November 12, 2007

AVONDALE, Ariz. - Four wins in a row has apparently broken a four-time champion.

Jimmie Johnson's dogged defense of his Nextel Cup title continued with yet another victory on Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway, leading Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon to declare "it's over."

"Unless you're going to lead the most laps and win the race, you're not going to make up any ground on those guys," said Gordon, whose tenth-place finish in the Checker Auto Parts 500 dropped him 86 points out of first place with just the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway remaining. "We don't have a shot at it, man."

Johnson's win streak is the best at NASCAR's highest level since Gordon's of the same length in the summer of 1998, the same year his close friend became the last to defend a Nextel Cup title. Johnson's 10 wins is the first double-digit total since Gordon's 13 that same year.

Johnson, never one for hyperbole, said he was "keeping it simple." Simply oppressive.

"Everything is going our way," he said.

Greg Biffle was second, 0.870 seconds behind, followed by Roush Racing teammate Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman.

But only two drivers really matter now, mathematically, and realistically that's debatable. Only Johnson and Gordon can win the championship, assuring team owner Rick Hendrick a seventh Nextel Cup crown.

Johnson can clinch by finishing 18th or better.

While Gordon struggled throughout the afternoon with handling on the so-called "Car of Tomorrow," using gimmicky pit strategy and guile to remain in the top 10, Johnson seemingly glided through the field, residing in the top five much of the race and in his ever-emerging David Pearson style, wresting the lead when it appeared to suit him best - at the end. His philosophy on points racing - banking the most points by racing to win - has made him a menace to those who would deny him the title.

"Every point matters," said Johnson, who lost the 2004 Chase for the Championship by eight points to Kurt Busch. "I don't know how many points I'll need at Homestead."

Johnson passed Martin Truex on Lap 289 of 312 with little contest, then bore off to as much as a 1.5-second lead. Johnson led just twice for 55 laps.

With seemingly nothing left but avoiding calamity and reeling off 400 laps, just like last year at Homestead when a ninth-place finish sealed a 56-point lead over Kenseth, Johnson momentarily motivated himself with another bit he history he thought was within reach.

"I heard no one has won five in a row, so let's go for that," he said, just before being told that he was sort of right. The modern-era record would be five, but the all-time record is actually 10 Richard Petty, 1967.

"That's wrong? Oh, man, I was excited for that. Ten in a row? That's not going to fall."

At this pace, maybe.

Brant James can be reached at brant@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8804.

[Last modified November 11, 2007, 23:23:15]