Jimmie Johnson: Why Him Winning Again Would Destroy NASCAR
Jimmie Johnson is on the cusp of claiming his fifth straight Sprint Cup title after winning at Dover on Sunday.
Johnson took the lead with 34 laps remaining and held on from there to capture the AAA 400.
After two races, Denny Hamlin is clinging to a 35-point lead in the Chase standings after finishing ninth Sunday in Delaware.
Hereโs 10 reasons why Jimmie Johnson winning another Sprint Cup title would be bad for NASCAR.
No. 10: Let Somebody Else Win Already
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This is getting a little bit ridiculous.
After Tony Stewart claimed his second Sprint Cup in 2005, he and his fellow drivers have watched helplessly as Johnson began dominating.
The No. 48 car has claimed four consecutive crowns dating back to 2006 when Johnson edged Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin.
Since then, Johnson has cruised to three more Chase wins and appears poised to claim it again by rallying this year.
No. 9: Johnson's Not Your Typical NASCAR Driver
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The winner of the Associated Press Athlete of the Year award in 2009, Johnson doesnโt have the flair for the dramatic or the charisma of many of his fellow competitors.
He quietly goes about his business without saying a whole lot, and lives a charmed life devoid of any personal problems.
The California nativeโs laid-back attitude gives him a reputation for being a โpretty boyโ of sorts.
Just how many so-called pretty boys have been well-liked NASCAR drivers?
No. 8: Johnson's Not Controversial Enough
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Johnson hasnโt found much controversy during his racing career, yet another way he distinguishes himself from his counterparts.
Thatโs not necessarily a good thing for NASCAR fans looking forward to fights and feuds as the Chase heats up.
Current leader Denny Hamlin got involved with Kevin Harvick during practice Saturday at Dover. Harvick seemed to deliberately wreck Hamlin, leading to a heated exchange following the incident.
It is believed Harvick wanted to dispatch some payback after Hamlin ripped Richard Childress Racing in the wake of the Clint Bowyer failed inspection.
With this controversy alive and well, why not keep hoping Hamlin stays at the top of the Chase standings?
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No. 7: Let Tony Stewart Win
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Even though he has mellowed quite a bit in recent years, Tony Stewart remains one of the most polarizing drivers in NASCAR.
Why not cheer for him to at least be involved as the Chase Continues?
Stewart currently sits in 10th place in the Sprint Cup standings, a distant 165 points behind Hamlin after finishing two laps down in 21st place overall Sunday in the AAA 400.
Itโs not looking good.
One possible boost could be the lack of a teammate to hinder his hopes for the Chase.ย Stewart and Kyle Busch are the only drivers without at least one teammate in NASCARโs playoff.
No. 6: Let Denny Hamlin Win
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Hamlin finished ninth Sunday at Dover, which has to be considered a successful run given his struggles at the track.
After not being afraid to criticize Richard Childress Racing, it would be nice to see the No. 11 come out on top in the race to the Chase.
Hamlin has raced while recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL earlier this year, and has remained a trendy pick to bump Johnson from his throne.
History is not on his sideโฆ
No. 5: History Favors Johnson
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Depending on how you look at the impressive string of four straight Sprint Cup Championships, Johnson could be due to come up short or simply win it again.
The latter appears to be a fairly likely scenario at this point.
If nothing else, history suggests Hamlin wonโt prevail.
In the history of the Chase, no driver who has led in the standings after the first two races has ever gone on to win the Cup.
No. 4: Johnson Is Getting Into Other Driverโs Heads
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Jimmie Johnsonโs run of dominance has left his competitors with little choice but to shower him the praise.
Prior to Sundayโs race, Kyle Busch paid his respects to the Johnson and the Hendrick team, telling Nascar.com,
"No matter how he's run through the season and how many times you guys want to say, 'Oh, he's vulnerable,' boom, he's right there in the Chase. It's like they flipped the switch on and they're there. They know how to do it. They know how to run these last 10 races. I don't know if they have a team meeting before every race and say 'This is what we're going to do today,' and they end up doing it, or what.โ
It looks like Buschโs words were a shining example of foreshadowing.
Johnson zoomed passed Busch yesterday to capture his 19th-career Chase win.
No. 3: Johnsonโs Quiet Confidence Is Becoming Tiresome
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The well-spoken Johnson lets his racing do the talking and keeps his mouth shut for the most part.
At the same time, he exudes confidence and professes his faith in the quest for a fifth straight Sprint Cup Championship.
Johnson might as well just come out and say it; he is the clear favorite to capture the Chase in 2010.
No. 2: Johnson Is Clearly Not the Peopleโs Choice
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Johnsonโs run of dominance has created a big following in NASCAR nation, but hasnโt made him a cult-like figure just yet.
For fans of other drivers, another title for Johnson would mark another disappointing season with no end in site.
It would be nice to end the season with a different story to discuss besides another triumph for the No. 48 car.
No. 1: It Looked Like It Would Never Happen
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For a long stretch, it appeared Johnsonโs run would come to an end.
After struggling in the middle of the season, Johnson has once again turned it up with the Chase getting underway, a pattern that has developed in recent seasons.
Just when it seemed NASCAR was free from his vice, the Hendrick team is zeroing in on adding another chapter to its historical run of success.
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