Denny Hamlin vs. Jimmie Johnson: Breakdown of Chances To Win NASCAR Sprint Cup

15 points separate the NASCAR championship contenders Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson as they prepare to race for all the marbles on the Homestead Miami Speedway this weekend in the Ford 400.  Jimmie Johnson ramped up the trash talking after Hamlin's No.11 team played it safe and pitted the car late in the Phoenix race, finishing 20th.

Denny Hamlin Vs Jimmie Johnson: Pit Crews

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 07: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, and Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Office Toyota, make pit stops during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 7, 2010 in For

The race at Texas Motor Speedway changed the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship battle for the remainder of the season.  Chad Knaus fired the No. 48 Lowe's pit crew in the middle of the race and installed the No. 24 Dupont pit crew in their stead.  The decision to take the pit crew that had led them to four straight NASCAR titles was a rash one and could hurt them in the Homestead Ford 400.

Denny Hamlin Vs Jimmie Johnson: Head Games

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AVONDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Toyota, stands by his car prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 14, 2010 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Im

Jimmie Johnson went to another level of trash talk after narrowing the margin to 15 points.  Jimmie Johnson emerged from his car after the Phoenix race and started working on Hamlin and his No. 11 team.  Johnson said, "I hope he can't sleep all week heading into this race.  I hope during the race he hears every little rattle in the car."  Hamlin emerged from his car visibly upset and threw a water bottle handed to him by him publicist.

Denny Hamlin Vs Jimmie Johnson: Car Owners Are Legends & Have Been Here Before

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10 Nov 1996: Team owner Joe Gibbs (left), drivers Bobby Labonte, Terry LaBonte (center right) and team owner Rick Hendrick (right) celebrate after the NAPA 500 NASCAR event at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. Terry Labonte finished fifth andca

Joe Gibbs the owner of the No.11 FedEx Toyota driven by Denny Hamlin has won Super Bowls and NASCAR Sprint Cup Championships.  Rick Hendrick may not have a Super Bowl ring on his hand but he has plenty of NASCAR Championship trophies proudly displayed in his shop.  When it comes to owners Joe Gibbs has three NASCAR titles to Rick Hendrick's nine.  The edge goes to Hendrick Motorsports and Jimmie Johnson.

Denny Hamlin Vs Jimmie Johnson: Point Edge Gives Hamlin Ability to Counteract

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 07: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Office Toyota, celebrates with a burn out after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 7, 2010 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Robert Lab

Denny Hamlin has a huge edge due to the win at Texas two weeks ago.  Hamlin and Mike Ford now have the capability of matching the No. 48 Lowe's team stride for stride and staying glued to their tail all race long.  A big point of contention will be laps led and most laps led in this race.  Hamlin gained points in Phoenix by leading most laps and will need to do so here in Homestead also.

Denny Hamlin Vs Jimmie Johnson: Experience Under Pressure Is All Jimmie Johnson

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WASHINGTON - AUGUST 19: U.S. President Barack Obama (R) speaks as 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson (L) listens during a South Portico event at the White House August 19, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama hosted the NASCAR champion and other dri

Jimmie Johnson has been here before and has reaped the rewards four straight times.  There is no one to compare what he has accomplished in NASCAR to this point and he could be on the verge of an unprecedented fifth NASCAR Championship.

Denny Hamlin Vs Jimmie Johnson: Homestead-Miami Record Favors Hamlin

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HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 22: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, does a burnout after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 22, 2009 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Im

Denny Hamlin has the edge for car set up heading into the 2010 Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.  He is the defending champ on the mile and a half track and he has been the better of he and Jimmie Johnson on the mile and a half tracks of late.  Momentum and unloading off the truck with last years set up gives Hamlin a decided advantage as they prepare for the last race.

Denny Hamlin Vs Jimmie Johnson: Inside The Numbers at Homestead

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LOUDON, NH - SEPTEMBER 19: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Small Business Toyota, and Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's/John Manville Chevrolet, lead a pack of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Spee

Jimmie Johnson has never won a race on the Homestead-Miami Speedway.  One of the few tracks he has been skunked.  Johnson's average finish is 12.7 at Homestead but his average finish on intermediate or mile and a half tracks is 9.7 over his career. Johnson also won the pole position in last years Ford 400.  Denny Hamlin is the defending champ of the Ford 400 and his average finish on the intermediate track is 10.6 but in his career his average finish is 13.4 overall on intermediate tracks.  Recent history is still on Hamlin's side for this race and the NASCAR Championship.

Denny Hamlin Vs Jimmie Johnson: Consistency Over Trophies?

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DARLINGTON, SC - MAY 08: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, celebrates with the trophy in victory lane in celebration of winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup series SHOWTIME Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on May 8, 2010 in Darlington, Sou

What wins NASCAR Championships, consistency or wins?  This season will test the belief that consistency wins titles.  Jimmie Johnson has six wins by 18 top fives entering this race while Denny Hamlin owns eight trophies this season and 14 top fives.  The difference between the two drivers is Hamlin's two wins and this could ultimately decide the champion.

Denny Hamlin Vs Jimmie Johnson: The Winner Is...........

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HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 22: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 22, 2009 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Geoff Bur

Denny Hamlin will win this years NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship with a detailed plan drawn up by his crew chief Mike Ford for the strategy of the race.  Chad Knaus will also have a plan but the contingencies that Mike Ford and Denny Hamlin will have at their disposal will win them this title.