7 reasons to watch the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway: No. 1 - The other guys

By Steve Waid

Monday, November 16, 2009

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It appears the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway won’t provide us with much drama when it comes to the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup championship.

Jimmie Johnson has a wide-open path to his record-setting fourth title. He goes into Homestead with a 108-point lead over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin. All Johnson has to do is finish 25th or better and he’ll accomplish something no other NASCAR driver has.

Barring a complete meltdown - it’s not likely but it can happen - Johnson will win the championship on cruise control.

But you should know that Homestead won’t be entirely devoid of drama. Positions two through four in the final standings are still up for grabs. They will be determined in the Ford 400 by the fortunes of three drivers.

Martin is just 61 points ahead of Jeff Gordon, who stands third in points. Gordon’s position is even more vulnerable as he’s just 42 points ahead of fourth-place Kurt Busch.

This could easily change at Homestead.

It’s likely Martin knows he has only a slim chance at a championship. But don’t think for a moment he’s not concerned about Gordon.

I think he would much rather finish second for the fifth time in his career rather than third - again, for a fifth time.

You might think this is a stretch but think of it: Wouldn’t Gordon prefer to finish second to Johnson, whose team he co-owns, rather than third?

Wouldn’t Busch, who races for Penske Racing, like to break up a one-two-three Hendrick Motorsports finish in the final standings?

Put that aside because here’s the reality: If these guys can’t win the championship, as intense competitors, they want to finish as high as possible in the final standings.

That’s still up for grabs at Homestead.

If you’re a fan of any of them, then the Ford 400 is worthy of your attention.

- Steve Waid