Jimmie Johnson Schools The Field at His House

Sunday was the final wild card race this season. Yes, there is still chance that at a place like Phoenix that there can be a huge wreck, but realistically it's over.

Kyle Busch can't wait for 2009. After a dominate 2008 "regular season" and disappointing  playoff, has Busch wishing it was Daytona already. Martinsville defined Busch's playoffs this year. 

He struggled from the beginning, having issues with brakes and ill handling car. Busch was never a factor. Then to add insult to injury he had  multiple tire issues which ended his day multiple laps down as he had pit road penalties. The only bright spot for  Busch was the checkered flag.

Kyle Busch: Will have to wait till next year; Eliminated.

For Denny Hamlin, Martinsville came at a perfect time. They needed a strong run, and possibly a win. Not only for momentum, but for confidence. Although they never led a lap the Fed Ex team  stayed in the top 10 for most of the day. While his teammates had tire issues Denny avoided any troubles and kept his nose clean.

While 2008 chase wasn't what he had hoped, the last few races will be good foundation for 2009.

Denny Hamlin:Stopped the bleeding,for now. Eliminated

Matt Kenseth was never a factor at Martinsville. The team rolled the dice came into pit road while the leaders stayed out and that strategy allowed them to lead some laps, but older tires and a ill-handling car he quickly slipped back. He did have a finish in the top 10, coming home eighth

2008 has been very disappointing year for this team, and they are running the fine line of not having a victory before the year is out.

Matt Kenseth: Hoping his Packers have a better season than he is having. Eliminated

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said a few years back he was always tired of getting beat at Martinsville by Hendrick Motorsports, and Sunday was no different.Even being a member of this team he still came home second to teammate Jimmie Johnson.

But the 88 team continued  to work on something they have been criticized all year of; staying consistent throughout the race.They ran well throughout the race andwas a factor for the win in the end.

Jr. ran up front for most of the day and  they kept a handle on the car. He was better on the  longer runs and late in the race  at a short track long runs are  very unlikely. I think even though they will not win the championship, this team has made some good ground this year.

Dale Earnhardt Jr: Played second fiddle to HMS once again. Eliminated

After Tony Stewart controversial win at Talladega, we expected him to go on a roll. Well we were surely disappointed. After  starting in the top 10, Stewart struggled for most of the day. Having brake issues and tire issues Smoke was never a factor.

Limping home 26th on Sunday, He can only be looking forward to 2009 and trying to forget what has been a challenging 2008.

As the final races wind down and Stewart's time at Joe Gibbs Racing ends expect to see a little bit more aggressive Stewart trying to leave the organization that stood by him for 10 years, on a strong  note.

Smoke:Just plain tired of not having a good year. Eliminated

Jeff Gordon said earlier last week that Martinsville was probably his best chance at win, but I think he forgot about Jimmie Johnson. Gordon had a strong car early in the race, passing and leading laps, but as the laps wore down, Gordon began to fade.  And his chances of winning for the first time in 2008 did to.

At least they have been consistent. They either have a awful car  early in the race and then near the end start to come around,but it's too late. Or they have strong car early in the race and then it falls off towards the end. His best chance to win might have slipped by him, but don't expect him just to roll over.

At the remaining four tracks Gordon has yet to win at Texas and Homestead, who knows maybe that's where his streak will end.

Jeff Gordon: Who knew the teacher can get schooled by the student? Eliminated.

Kevin Harvick had been considered the dark horse in the chase from the get-go. But after Talladega his chances quickly ended. Martinsville has never been his best track, so staying  out of trouble was his best chance of keeping pace.

Never leading lap in this race, he was  never a factor. As Jimmie Johnson and HMS dominated this race, Harvick watched his  run to the championship end at Martinsville.He to has yet to win this year, so the remaining races are all about  getting that win and finishing 2008 on a better note.

Kevin Harvick: Like many other drivers Martinsville was just not his race. Eliminated

Clint Bowyer had  his shot  early in the chase to make a statement. But he never did. Throughout the chase he played follow the leader and never  was the leader. He made it into the Chase by the skin of his teeth and he is going to exit that same way.

Bowyer has been in the chase the last two years, but now it's time he makes a stand. Just making the Chase is great but if your not contending for wins like the  other 11 drivers, than what's the point?

Clint Bowyer: Still in this by the skin of his teeth..

Carl Edwards has never ran well at Martinsville, so for him a top five finish is a victory.But the bad thing is Johnson ran ahead of him all day and led the most laps, and Edwards never led a lap and let valuable points slip away.

Too many distractions the last couple weeks have mentally taken it's toll on him.He is the final driver with a realistic chance at the championship, but time is winding down.  Edwards needs a win at Atlanta to keep pace, other wise he is down for the count.

Carl Edwards: Can't stop believing...

Jeff Burton win at Charlotte was a tease. We thought maybe Jimmie Johnson wouldn't be  able to just run away with the title, but then we came to Martinsville. Burton struggled all day long and was never in touch with the leaders. He nearly avoided going down a lap, until  he hit pit road.

This was not the run he needed, not at a track where HMS has dominated. Burton's run for consistency might have ended his chance at a championship.

Jeff Burton: Really wishing he had a do over...

Greg Biffle knew that he wasn't going to gain much on Jimmie Johnson this past weekend, but he hoped to keep pace with him. Biffle never led a lap, well if you weren't a HMS driver you probably didn't have shot only under caution.

But Biffle moved up in the standings and if Johnson struggles at all Biffle will be there to capitalize at tracks where he has always ran well.

Greg Biffle:Didn't want to make a mistake this weekned, but never passing Johnson was a big one.

Martinsville was classic Martinsville; Johnson and Gordon battling for the lead numerous times and add in a Earnhardt to the mix and you got  a HMS domination. Johnson led the charge and the field for most of the day. Knowing when to push  and when to lay back, Johnson methodically picked his way through traffic and expanded his points lead.

Jimmie Johnson is well on his way to third consecutive championship. All he has to do is avoid any trouble, and not have a DNF. Anything can happen but the way the chase has gone for this team, they should be on stage come late November.

Jimmie Johnson:Benefited from a rain out,but that wouldn't have stopped this man on a mission.

Now that the final short track race has past, we look at Atlanta. There are so many things at stake in the final races. While many feel the championship is Johnson's there are a few drivers who would like to have a say in that.

There are win less drivers trying to end there streaks and extend another. There are drivers fighting for rides next year. Drivers racing for pride and racing to leave there teams better than when they started. So there is much more going on than just the Chase.

So just remember keep an eye out for the numerous story lines that get buried with the chase.