Final race of 2009 Cup season filled with scenarios for numerous teams

By Rea White - Associate Editor

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Sunday's Ford 400 marks the final race of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

Jim Fluharty
NASCAR Scene

RSS Feed
Email to a Friend
Increase Text Size Decrease Text Size RESIZE
Share
- Facebook
- Del.icio.us
- DIGG This
- Reddit
- Newsvine
- Stumbeupon
0 Comments

For many NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers, there’s a sense of urgency entering Sunday’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. After all, this is the last chance to make a move in the standings or to continue a recent upward swing.

For some, it will also be a final race with their current teams. Roush Fenway Racing's Jamie McMurray, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's Martin Truex Jr. and Richard Petty Motorsports' Reed Sorenson are all competing for the final time with their current organizations. Penske Racing's Kurt Busch is working with crew chief Pat Tryson for the final time as well.

Emotions could run high when teams pull onto the 1.5-mile Florida track to prepare for the final race of 2009.

Most eyes, though, will be on the battles for positions within the Chase For The Sprint Cup. First, there's the battle for the title itself, where Jimmie Johnson has a 108-point lead over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin in his quest for an unprecedented fourth straight title.

Martin, a runnerup in the championship race four times in his career, has nothing but kind words for his teammate as they prepare for the final outing of the year.

"Jimmie is the man," Martin said. "There's so much that that guy does that people don't even know about. He's as dedicated as anyone I've ever seen, maybe more so. There's a reason I call him Superman, you know? Whatever happens Sunday is how it was supposed to.

"And I will have no shame should I finish second to that guy. If he wins, it's because he outscored us. And that's what a points deal is about. They would have scored the most points, and we wouldn't have. And I will be one of the first guys to say that he deserves it. He has done what it takes, and it shows."

Behind the pair, and eliminated from contention once Johnson takes the green flag, is teammate Jeff Gordon. Gordon could finish anywhere in the top seven in the standings, except in the top spot, based on what happens Sunday. The four-time Cup champion trails Martin by 61 points entering the race. He is 42 ahead of Busch, who is 74 ahead of Stewart-Haas Racing's Tony Stewart, who is four points ahead of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's Juan Pablo Montoya, who is 32 points ahead of Roush Fenway Racing’s Greg Biffle.

So don't think that Gordon is taking Sunday's race lightly at all.

"There are some guys right behind us that could possibly overtake us," Gordon said. "We know that a Hendrick Motorsports driver will be this year’s champion. Hopefully, we can make it a one-two-three finish in the final standings for HMS.”

But those behind him are looking to gain some ground as well. Busch is focused on moving up to third in the final standings with a strong race this weekend - a move that could boost his team's confidence entering an offseason in which it will work with a new, and as yet unnamed, crew chief.

“We’re only 42 points out of third in the point standings and have a pretty good buffer over fifth,” the 2004 series champion said. “We have a realistic shot at climbing up to third, and that’s what we’re focused on doing this weekend. I’ve always thought that it was extremely important to end the season on a high note.

"Your last race out is the one that’s freshest on your mind, and you certainly hope it’s memorable for all the right reasons. Closing out your season with a competitive weekend at Homestead is just that important.”

Working with Tryson for the final time might offer the team an additional incentive.

“Pat has been a great team leader, and we’ve had a lot of success together and a ton of fun along the way,” Busch said. “While it’ll be sad knowing that Homestead will be our final race together, we’ve pledged to put all emotions aside and focus on scoring one final trip to victory lane there this weekend."

Stewart and Montoya, meanwhile, find themselves pleased with their accomplishments for the season. While they'd certainly like to be contending for the title, each has made great strides.

Stewart debuted as a co-owner and driver for the former Haas CNC Racing team this season, helping take a group that fought for a spot in the top 35 in owner points in 2008 to one with two drivers in the Chase this season.

He and teammate Ryan Newman both made the 12-driver, championship-determining field - Stewart after leading the standings for 13 weeks. He has a worst points position of eighth this year and has been in the top five after 29 of the season's 35 races.

So while he'd obviously like to be in contention for his third title, there's really no room for complaint from this group - and Stewart knows it.

“I think it’s hard to be disappointed, no matter where we end up in the points," said Stewart. "Just by getting two cars in the Chase and winning the races we’ve won this year exceeded more than many could’ve anticipated, and what we could’ve anticipated."

Still, no matter where one is in points or what a team has or has not achieved this season, each heads into the Ford 400 with a common goal in mind. Most want to close the season on a high note - by winning.

“We’re just going out there to try and win the race," Stewart said. "That’s all we can do. We’re not in a championship battle, but we’re still in a battle for points. We still have to go out and do the best we can to get as many points as we can.”

Race: Ford 400
Track: Homestead-Miami Speedway
Time: 3:30 p.m. EST
TV: ABC
Radio: MRN, 3 p.m. EST
Qualifying time: Friday, 3:10 p.m. EST
Previous Homestead race winners: Greg Biffle 3, Tony Stewart 2, Kurt Busch, Bill Elliott, Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte.