Jimmie Johnson Straps on Cape to Win Kansas

Racin’ with Russ- Just when many race fans were saying that Jimmie Johnson is slipping off the game plan to win a sixth consecutive title, Johnson strapped on that Superman cape and pounced the field into submission by easily winning Sunday’s Sprint Cup outing in Kansas.

Despite strong starts by Roush-Fenway drivers Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth, Johnson’s Hendrick Chevrolet was hooked up to pass anyone and everyone at will, seemingly anywhere on the race, track high or low.

Johnson’s strongest challenge came from non-Chaser Kasey Kahne over the closing laps and with another three to five laps, the results may have been different.

The latest win for Johnson represents his second of the year, 55^th career and 20^th Chase win, more than double anyone else.

Behind Kahne at the stripe were the cars of Brad Keselowski, Kenseth and a surprising fifth place run by Edwards after running in the teens for most of the day. Edwards now leads Harvick by just one point and Johnson by a mere four.

Note: Jeff Gordon’s race day turned to junk during the final segments when his Hendrick Chevy power plant finally let go in a big way with only three laps remaining. His 34^th place finish enters him into the Hamlin, Newman, Gordon and Earnhardt 'stick-a-fork-in-my-title-shot' club.

Tony Stewart made some surprising moves during the race and seemed poised for a top five or better run until overcooking his Chevy into his pit spot late in the go, relegating him deep in the field and only managing a 15^th by the checkers. The Office Depot driver dropped four spots to seventh, 19 points back of new point leader Edwards.

Nationwide

Edwards and Keselowski started on the front row of this one and had a spirited battle for a while. That is until Keselowski hit the afterburners of his Dodge Challenger by running away with this one by wide margin.

His fourth win of the year eclipsed Edwards, Elliott Sadler, Paul Menard and points leader Ricky Stenhouse Jr. With only four brace remaining, Stenhouse has a 20 point lead over Sadler.

Across the Pond

The Formula One series held their latest venue at the tricky GP of Japan. Sebastien Vettel chopped off Jenson Button into the grass during the opening lap, yet Button recovered to win the race over Fernando Alonso and Vettel. Vettel however, landed his second consecutive title by earning a third, an amazing four races before the end of this season. At 24 years old, the German driver is simply remarkable…..dirty driving, but amazing results.

Indy Car News

This weekend will see the largest Indy Car field in many years with 34 entrants set to go. In addition to seeing who will win the overall title between Will Power and Dario Franchitti, Dan Wheldon will have a shot at winning $5 million if he wins the overall race. Did I mention it will be Danica Patrick’s final Indy Car race? There’s lots to look at, don’t miss the finale.

From Rumorville

Roush-Fenway recently announced they may not have enough backing to keep four Cup teams alive for 2012 with David Ragan more than likely the odd man out. His UPS sponsor is said to be eyeing Edwards’ quarter panels for next year.

With Clint Bowyer moving over to MWR, Childress Racing’s General Mills sponsorship of Cheerios will switch up to their Wheaties branding as part of the No. 31 ad campaign for 2012, with Jeff Burton as driver.

After Reed Sorenson was unceremoniously dismissed from his Turner Motorsports Nationwide ride last week, rumors have Dollar General moving their funding over to the Joe Gibbs Racing Nationwide effort.

That’s it for this week. Next week, RWR will review the Cupper and Nationwide results from Charlotte, truck and Indy Car action from Las Vegas along with more racing news from around the globe.