Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson dominates at Phoenix; takes commanding lead into final race
By Jeff Gluck - Associate Editor
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Jimmie Johnson celebrates his win in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 with members of his Hendrick Motorsports crew.
David Griffin
NASCAR Scene
AVONDALE, Ariz. – One of the only questions about Jimmie Johnson throughout his march through nearly four NASCAR Chase playoffs has been how his race team would deal with adversity.
After all, until last week at Texas, Johnson hadn’t faced any during the Chase since 2006.
But on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Phoenix, Johnson showed everyone how he responded.
Johnson completely dominated the NASCAR Sprint Cup Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, putting a ruthless beating on the field like he was boxer Manny Pacquiao.
“We just put a butt-kicking on everybody today,” Johnson said with a laugh.
He never let up and occasionally held leads of five-plus seconds – quite a gap for a 1-mile race track – and put himself in prime position to win his fourth consecutive Cup championship next week at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The runner-up in the standings, Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin, was fourth at Phoenix, meaning Johnson will only need to finish 25th or better next week to clinch the title.
“Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!” Johnson shouted on the team radio after the race, then immediately asked crew chief Chad Knaus, “Where’d that 5 finish?”
Told Martin was fourth, Johnson said, “Awesome stuff, boys! Awesome stuff.”
Later, in victory lane, Johnson acknowledged that overcoming the Texas mishap – a wreck on lap 3 – could have been difficult.
“We could have easily been beat down, and certainly there could have been some dark moments in the last week,” Johnson said.
But the 48 team bounced back and didn’t let anyone else believe they had a shot at winning.
Richard Childress Racing’s Jeff Burton fought his way to second with roughly 25 laps to go and tried to mount a late charge, but Johnson kept pulling away in the final laps and won by a couple seconds.
“I feel this is fair to say that this is the best we’ve run all year,” Burton said.
No one could keep up with Johnson's 48 car, which has been the one to beat all year – and for the last four years.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin finished third, followed by Martin and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing’s Martin Truex Jr., who had started on the pole.
Penske Racing's Kurt Busch, who won last week at Texas, was sixth. Burton’s RCR teammate Clint Bowyer was seventh, followed by Juan Pablo Montoya (Earnhardt Ganassi), Jeff Gordon (Hendrick) and David Reutimann (Michael Waltrip Racing).
A multicar wreck started by an apparent oil leak on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s car marred the race for the sport’s most popular driver after he spun out and took drivers Tony Stewart, Brad Keselowski and Brian Vickers with him.
But that was one of only four cautions in the race – two were for debris – and Johnson turned the rest of the day into a rout.
Johnson won his seventh race of the season and 47th overall, which puts him 13th on the all-time victories list. He won at Phoenix for the fourth time in the last five races.
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37 responses to "Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson dominates at Phoenix; takes commanding lead into final race". Post a Comment.
Jimmie48 said:
Nov 15, 2009 at 6:44 PMMy man - Superman returns!
What a way to come back from last week's drama. He was agressive all day, showed them what a champ is made off.
Neat, neat work guys! Homestead can come, got the champagne ready!
karnevil9 said:
Nov 15, 2009 at 7:12 PMCongrats to the 48 team. Perfection in motion. Just scary good. Just too good!!
karnevil9 said:
Nov 15, 2009 at 7:37 PMThe people who hate this guy gotta be close to jumping off buildings. He's in his prime. He's not going anywhere. Who knows. 5,6,7,8 Cup titles before he's done. Extremely possible.
SS396Chevelle said:
Nov 15, 2009 at 8:43 PM4 wins out of 7 races in the chase I think Jimmie has proven just how good he is.
KahneFan9 said:
Nov 15, 2009 at 9:31 PMWell, Phoinix ended as scripted. Now, Jimmie and Chad "The Cheater" only have to finish 25th or better at Homestead to "win" the championship Rick (I don't wanna go to prison) Hendricks bought. However, I believe you'll see the great J.J. have problems or maybe even a minor accident early in the race. Did I say "race"! Sorry 'bout that. This will be for the sake of "drama" and to add to the script. After all, J.J. can sit out four or five laps and still be leading within three or four laps of restarting. Just watch, there will be a little bit of drama tossed into the last TV event of the season in Florida.....
dmiller48 said:
Nov 15, 2009 at 9:54 PMTo Post #5........it's a shame that you are so very jealous ! Cheater you say..well, until it's proven, I don't think that you have the right to call any one names. They hated Earnhart Sr when he won all the time. They hated Gordon when he won all the time. So hate Johnson if you must but don't be so jealous. After all, he and team 48 can't help it that they are the cream of the crop these days. I say thanks Team 48 for a 4th in a row. YEAH ! ! !
Andi said:
Nov 15, 2009 at 10:03 PMWoo hoo!!! Way to go JJ, Chad & team 48!! Awesome, awesome. I knew you guys would bounce back after Texas. You always do, and can't wait until Homestead. And very well said to #6 to #5.
JGRFan4Life said:
Nov 15, 2009 at 10:37 PMTake this as whining as you please, but I'm not discounting the success or skill or Johnson and company; all I'm saying is that NASCAR seriously needs to consider changing up the Chase because there are simply too many boring and predictable tracks in the Chase. Add Rockingham, Bristol, Darlington, Rockingham, and Infineon.
pj4jj48 said:
Nov 15, 2009 at 10:49 PMGo Jimmie, Chad and Team 48! The march into Nascar history keeps on going! Looking forward to seeing it finalized in Homestead next week! Woo Hoo!
JJ_48_Fan said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 7:09 AMIn response to #8, I wouldn't care if NASCAR did change up the Chase races each year. Jimmie and Chad would just find a to do their best no matter what you throw in front of them! They are a team to beat and for the last 3 years(almost 4, now), no one has done it. Until another driver/team steps up to the plate, Team 48 will keep winning! Besides, it's history in the making!!
In response to #9, I can't believe your a Kahne fan! You'd never see that kind of accusing behavior from your driver! "CHEATING?" You've go to be kidding me! Not that they would, but IF NASCAR would let anyone get away with cheating, why wouldn't it be JR? It would be best for bringing the fans to the TV, now wouldn't it?
Go Jimmie, Chad, and Team 48! Your fans will be there watching next week!!
Rainier said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 8:49 AMI don't even feel the need to say anything. Johnson said it all on the track. And I am just plain tired of responding to petty and jealous cheating allegations.
b48orr said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 8:57 AMI called this one!! Once they realized their mistake of not qualifying hard and trying to coast through this thing at texas ilt wa over for the hopefuls!! Next week Jimmie is gonna qualify in the top four and run in the top five to lock this baby up. Four in a row baby!! Something that will never be done again! Go Jimmie and the 48 team lets get it baby!! Then the true drive for five is next!!
daviclar38 said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 11:39 AMNot a fan of any one driver, though I have been rooting for Mark more this year, but you can't deny the 48 team's performance. It's truely harder to win a championship in the "chase" format than the past format, and these guys ain't letting up and try to win every race. It's really amazing what they have accomplished. Just ask some of the Hall of Famers.
Bill8848 said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 12:35 PMCongrats to jimmy and the 48 team,they showed what team is the class act all year.
jeff-waybright said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 12:41 PMI'm not a Jimmie hater at all and am amazed by his success on the race track. However, I have to ask the question - what's wrong with the competition?!? I don't get it. The 48 is in a league by themselves - nobody can keep up! The only people that seem to be excited about NASCAR right now are the 48 fans. I just don't buy the conspiracy theory that NASCAR is throwing races so Jimmie can win. That's ridiculous to me. Look at the stands, folks...NASCAR is hurting right now and Jimmie Johnson isn't helping them at all. Who wants to watch this stuff if you're not a Jimmie fan?
Carol-88-fan said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 2:18 PM#15, I don't think that it's something wrong with the competition. I think it's the combination of Jimmie and Chad. It was that way with Richard P. and Dale I. and with Jeff and Ray. Chad may just be the best of them all.As for the people saying they are cheating, would you say that about your guy, if he was winning like Jimmie? I doubt it.
minkee2 said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 3:53 PMHappy to see so many comments supporting Jimmie, Chad and the whole #48 team. One to go and then pop that champagne!! Don't know what's with the #88 team. This time it was an oil leak on his tire that made Jr. wipe out 9 other cars. He may be popular with the fans, but the other racers are probably getting tired of him. GO JIMMIE 4-IN-A-ROW!!! YAH!!!
kylestewart said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 4:07 PMcongrats to the 48 team. i just hope that next year someone decides to take him on in the final 10 races because quite frankly this is getting boring. the stands and the tv ratings prove that.
kylestewart said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 4:19 PM#13 i highly doubt jimmy would've won 3 in a row let alone 4 if it werent for the chase. 2006 was the only year he was close in points (9) before the chase started.
2009 - 290
2008 - 369
2007- 430
i'd say the driver those 3 years got robbed.
Rainier said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 4:46 PMPoints before the chase mean nothing KYLESTEWART. How many times is this going to be stated against Johnson. The 48 team does not race to be leading after race 26, they race to learn what they need to do to win the last 10 races and be leading after race 36. Anyone who does not follow that strategy deserves to lose. This has been explained so many times, by people on this website as well as NASCAR personalities including Tony Stewart, I can't believe people still type it so often.
daviclar38 said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 5:47 PMHey guys, is there a website that shows what the winners would have been if there wasn't a chase format. I'd like to know who would have won the last 5or6 championships under the old rules.
Kadach said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 6:06 PMRainier you sound very wise, maybe you should be JRs crew chief!!!
Werner said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 6:26 PMDAVICLAR38............http://www.jayski.com/cupnews.htm...............1) #48-Jimmie Johnson(X), 4996
2) #14-Tony Stewart(X), 4983, -13
3) #24-Jeff Gordon(X), 4940, -56
4) #5-Mark Martin(X), 4635, -361
5) #11-Denny Hamlin(X), 4611, -385
6) #2-Kurt Busch(X), 4593, -403
7) #42-Juan Pablo Montoya(X), 4454 -542
8) #16-Greg Biffle(X), 4420, -576
9) #39-Ryan Newman(X), 4353, -643
10) #18-Kyle Busch, 4310, -686
11) #9-Kasey Kahne(X), 4276, -720
12) #17-Matt Kenseth, 4265, -731
13) #99-Carl Edwards(X), 4252, -744
14) #33-Clint Bowyer, 4224, -772
15) #00-David Reutimann, 4103, -893
16) #83-Brian Vickers(X), 4024, -972
Motorsportsphotography said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 6:58 PMI'm glad I went to Pomona for the NHRA finals and watched Antron Browns Toyota powered Top Fuel Dragster win The final race of the season. It was a lot more exciting than the snooze fest at Phoenix.
Motorsportsphotography said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 7:01 PMWerner, The chase is a joke. Nobody really races anymore for a win. They just point race. This weekend Jimmie will just ride around and not give it 100%. He'll just ride around to stay out of trouble.
Rainier said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 7:12 PMHey MSP, Jimmie has won 4 of 9 races in the chase. At least one guy out there is racing to win.
JJ_48_Fan said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 8:40 PMI had no idea that up until the Chase format began, they never point raced before! At least that's what MSP is trying to say! WHAT? You still couldn't win a championship before the Chase unless you were racing for points! You had to be on top in order to win the championship back then, too!
IN FACT, Jimmie is second ONLY TO Jeff Gordon in Spring Cup Series Active Drivers CAREER WINS!
http://www.theinsidegroove.com/nascar-winston-nextel-cup-driver-stats-statistics-charts.php
Jeff--82, Jimmie--43. Do you understand that? Jeff has won 82 times since his rookie year (1993); Jimmie has won 47 times since his rookie year (2002). Jimmie is second to ONLY Jeff Gordan in career wins! Jimmie accomplished more than half of Gordan's wins and he did it in 9 less years! Do you understand? Jimmie is an AWESOME Driver!
lilmofishin said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 8:44 PMThe Chase is a joke. Chad is a known cheater and has been caught by NASCAR and suspended and fined and he works for a known felon who should have gone to prison. How can you trust people like that.
Rainier said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 9:11 PMThere are a lot of people who say MSP posts under alot of different names that I don't agree with, but I have always had a feeling that LILMOFISHIN is MSP.
SS396Chevelle said:
Nov 16, 2009 at 9:13 PMI don't blame #24 for going elsewhere unless he wants to see the Jimmie Johnson racing clinic and the Chevy domination of the sprint cup. #29 you are a joke. Hamlin already stated that JGR needs to set it up in order to compete against the Hendrick cars. Wasn't the 18 car caught cheating a few week back? Go do some fishing because your countless cheating remarks are very boring.
kaykasey9 said:
Nov 17, 2009 at 12:16 AMLILMOFISHIN:
You should check on other owners the have graced this sport. Junior Johnson spent time in jail for running "shine". How do you think NASCAR started. It was started people who used to be moonshiners. I am diehard NASCAR fan, and proud of the way it got started.
kylestewart said:
Nov 17, 2009 at 8:57 AMsorry rainer (the we've already discussed this police). if thats your job around here than you're not doing a good job of it since almost every article endS up being a kyle is a whiner slamfest. so to paraphrase Mr Trump "YOU'RE FIRED"!!!!!
psdf250 said:
Nov 17, 2009 at 12:43 PMSomethings never change.The 48 lovers are coming out in full force and calling everyone who doesn't like their ROBOT haters, the supposed haters are calling the 48 cheaters. I respect what both Werner and Rainier have to say but despite that I still feel that this is a "Manufactored Championship." Other than that,it makes no sense to get ulcers, high blood pressure, or whatever. I'll just accept the fact that it's happened and continue to wait for the downfall that will come sooner or later. Then we'll get to see a whole bunch of the 48 fans jump ship to their new hero. Until then, I'm going to just kick back and enjoy the rest of my vacation in Maui. Aloha
Rainier said:
Nov 17, 2009 at 2:14 PMIts a tough job I have KYLESTEWART, trying to inject some truth into the endless jealous rants of 48 haters whose lack of intelligence has them regurgitating the same old arguments incessantly. And its you're job to defend Kylie against attacks. I stopped being his fan after his second year at Hendrick when his true personality started to show. I gave him a chance though. And I don't really get the Donald Trump reference. If it was a joke it sucked and was actually played out about 3 years ago. Get with the times.
kylestewart said:
Nov 17, 2009 at 5:26 PMbelieve me rainer i don't hate johnson & knaus, they've done a great job at doing what nascar has given them. i just don't think he's as talented as a driver as some people believe him to be. he's good, but he has been in great equipment & for the most part kept out of trouble in races. very rare to see his car blow up or be in an accident.
as far as you not liking kyle because of his personality, well all i got to say is at least he has a personality compared to MOST drivers out there. and he can drive the heck out of any type of car/truck on any type of race track. i'll just leave it at that.
alisoeddie said:
Nov 17, 2009 at 8:49 PMCongrats to Jimmy , Chad,and Mr.H on winning their 4th Cup championship in a row!
Now it's off to Vegas to party like rockstars!!!!!!!!
JJ_48_Fan said:
Nov 18, 2009 at 9:29 AMKYLESTEWART: If you watched any of qualifying this past week, you would have heard Jimmie say during an interview that his past in dirt track driving is what was going to help him at Phoenix. His card was sliding and sideways most of the race. He used a different style than they rest. That's what team 48 does best is adapt to the situation. To say he is not as talented is crazy! Chad keeps Jimmie level-headed and focused. That's why Jimmie is so dang good!!