NASCAR's Greatest: Jimmie Johnson Edges Out "The King" Richard Petty

It might be a little early to award Jimmie Johnson his fifth straight Cup Series Championship. Only five races in, Johnson is not even leading the standings.

He's currently third going into Martinsville.

Yet, that ties his best ranking after five races since his championship run began in 2006.

Some might even consider it a bigger stretch to crown him the best all-time among NASCAR's elite.

But the numbers prove it. Or, more accurately, the projection of his numbers prove it.

His 50 victories tie him for ninth place all-time and second among active drivers trailing teammate and car owner Jeff Gordon. 

At 16.9 percent, Johnson's "winning percentage" is identical to Richard Petty's. 

If the measure of success is championships, then the wait may be less than eight years.

It took "The King", Petty, 15 seasons to reach his fourth Cup Championship, and another seven years after that for the final three.

Johnson has four championships in eight seasons. At this pace he will win his eighth by his 16th season. Discount his "slow start" needing a full four seasons before capturing his first Cup Championship, and it could be by his 12th season.

If The Best is measured by wins—then Johnson has his work cut out for him.

The King raced in a different era.

Throughout the 1960's, Petty raced in no fewer than 44 races. Over 35 seasons he averaged 33 races a year. In 1967, the second of his record seven championships, he dominated the series winning 27 of 48 races.

Although Petty's career dropped off, winning only ten races over his final 13 seasons, he still averaged 5.7 wins a year over 35 years.

For Johnson, who competes in a 36-race schedule, it will be nearly impossible to match Petty's 200 wins.

Along with the highest winning percentage among active drivers, Johnson also has the best victories per season, averaging 5.6—just a fraction lower than The King.

Still, Johnson would have to race another 26 seasons, including 2010, winning five to six races each and every year to catch Petty. That won't happen.

However, if there was ever a driver capable to challenge that mark it is Johnson.

And if the start of the 2010 season is any indication, there appears to be no slowing down for the No. 48 team.

Heck, Johnson may even win on a road course.