Has Jimmie Johnson Already Won? Sprint Cup Contenders Weigh In

Sports writers across the country have already awarded the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship to Jimmie Johnson.  His near-perfect season and his dominance at these last five tracks definitely make him the man to beat.

Does this mean that the other drivers in the Chase have given up?  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Just ask four time champion Jeff Gordon.  He currently sits third in points and thinks his position may give him an edge.  While Johnson may have to play it a little safe to protect his lead, Gordon can afford to take some chances.

“I think that’s the one advantage that we have right now,” he said, “that we’re far enough back to where we don’t have really a whole lot to lose.  It’s their championship to lose.”

“We’re going to race him hard.  We’re going to race him aggressive.”

This sentiment is echoed by many of the Chase contenders.  Kurt Busch finds it hard to stomach the fact that some say it’s a foregone conclusion that Johnson will win.

Busch remembers leading the Chase in 2004 by a 92 point margin, only to see that lead vanish after a blown engine.  He looks at the next five races as an opportunity to make up lost ground.

He explained, “Where we are in points, 177 behind him, he’s gained that on us in these first five races.  What’s to say we can’t gain that back on him in the next five?”

What about the drivers further back in points like Carl Edwards, who is currently tenth?  Although his chance to win the championship may be unrealistic at best, that doesn’t mean he’s given up.

A sense of humor doesn’t hurt either as Carl joked about inviting Johnson out for a game of Frisbee, referencing his recent accident.

He admits that unless the top Chase Contenders falter, it’s going to be extremely difficult for someone to catch them.  Edwards quickly adds, though, that it won’t keep him from trying.

“I’m sitting here thinking, just like racers do.  We could still win this thing if we just keep going.  The only way to surely fail is to give up.”