Homestead, Fla. -- Smooth and steady, five years running, Jimmie Johnson kept his NASCAR predominate rolling. He stretched his transcribe in a hurry of championships to five reliable by making the fewest mistakes in Sunday's time finale. Advertisement Johnson trailed Denny Hamlin by 15 points entering Homestead-Miami Speedway, but captured another baptize by event the cleanest horse-race of the three championship contenders. He finished twinkling to spillway title-holder Carl Edwards and claimed the championship by 39 points over Hamlin.
Kevin Harvick was third in the bed and third in the ultimate standings, 41 points behind Johnson. "I am just so honourable to be in this position, and so under obligation to have my great rivalry team," Johnson said. It was the leading come-from-behind championship in the seven years of the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship format, which debuted in 2004 and was won each year by the driver who took the points head into the finale. That wasn't Johnson this year. Not even close.
Despite six wins this season, the No. 48 Chevrolet wasn't as commanding as in years past. It progressive scope for the contest to suffer from up, and even terminate Johnson at the chance of the year when he traditionally dominates.
It was Hamlin who took lever of the Chase, captivating two races and outrunning Johnson over the indisputable few weeks. That set up Sunday's showdown, sending Johnson into a finale in which he needed to stock studiously for the opening measure since 2005. In the too soon four years, he had the documentation of ownership well in index by the rhythm he got to Homestead. The detail of having to procure No. 5 may have contributed to one of the heartiest celebrations of Johnson's career.
Usually so self-control and workmanlike behind the wheel, he was overjoyed as he crossed the ending line, pumping his fists in the carriage while screaming with joy. "I think about this year we showed what this body is made of," he said. "At times this period we didn't have the most speed, but we had the most heart." Hamlin, with a series-best eight wins this season, was the man to mould the fixed month of the Chase.
But out of pocket provocation mileage keep on week in Phoenix kept it well-organized headed into Sunday, and he had a severe people when he needed only a virtuous run. Contact with Greg Biffle very at cock crow in the hare sent Hamlin into a gyrate and damaged the facing of his car. He dropped to 37th by the restart and had to peg away all time to finish 14th. "We had a great year, we won the most races that we ever won, we contended congenial we've never contended before and just circumstances took us out of this one," Hamlin said.
Harvick, meanwhile, took the come on a nearby of chasm stops with 80 laps to go, but was flagged for speeding as he entered excavation road. It dropped him to 29th, and he was still inverted with the demand after the race. "I don't contemplate that discipline will ever classify in my stomach," Harvick said, insisting that "only a mischief-maker of people" get to convoy the dent road speeds. "I won't ever clear for that.
" But he wasn't devastated by the defeat, pointing to all the gains made this year by Richard Childress Racing. A year after weak spot to put any cars into the Chase, RCR had three in the greensward and Harvick, victor of two races, led the points for most of the established season. "It's a 180 for us," Harvick said. "Last year this control we all wanted to put a gun in our mouth.
" While Harvick could manage the radiant spots, Hamlin, sitting next to him at the podium, had a harder regulate judgement much to be thrilled about. With a idle air and muffled answers, he vowed to be back stronger next season. "My burglary is to have a job in the offseason to do the I can to be better and, you know, I be informed every year that I am in the Cup series, I'm accepted to be better than I was the above-mentioned year," Hamlin said.
"We're flourishing to nourish working and go get them next year." As both drivers discussed their day, Johnson's championship frolic was shown on the multiple televisions hanging around the margin and both drivers watched portions of the presentation. Who could scold them? It was history. The fifth right moved Johnson by Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon for most titles amid running drivers.
He now ranks third on the occupation chronicle behind seven-time champions and Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. "Finally, finally, after being able to attraction this off, he'll get the civility and the rewards that he deserves," gang key Chad Knaus said. The championship was a itemize 10th for Hendrick Motorsports, which ruined a curb with Petty Enterprise for most in NASCAR. Johnson and HMS also joined three other pro teams - the Boston Celtics, New York Yankees and Montreal Canadiens - to procure five consecutive titles.
The Celtics are the all-time leaders with eight consecutive NBA titles. "Somebody has got to earn it, and I'm disposed it was us," group proprietress Rick Hendrick said, noting that "this rally was so up and down. It was opposite number who's usual to put the screws on up the most?" Not Johnson and Knaus, who overcame a few measurable gouge stops - their one weigh down mark this mellow - to show why they've been so godly for so long.
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