(By Greg Engle)
Posted: Monday,November 23rd, 2009
(By Sarah Farlee, CupScene.com Senior Staff Writer)
Homestead, Fla. - Jimmie Johnson made history as he crossed the stripe in Sunday’s season finale, the Ford 400 at the Homestead Miami Speedway, by winning his fourth consecutive series championship – an unprecedented feat that didn’t come easy.
Johnson had to fight to hoist the trophy, but it wasn’t Mark Martin that made the Sprint Cup tough to nab – it was the field.
“It was hairy racing at times. Everybody is trying to get the best finish at the end of the year,” said Johnson, who finished in the fifth position after an up and down night that included tight racing and aggressive driving.
HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 22: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates with the trophy after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship after finishing in fifth place in the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 22, 2009 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson becomes the first driver in the history of NASCAR to win four consecutive championships since the sports inception in 1949. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)
“I think we were coming there at the end,” said Johnson, who held off teammate Jeff Gordon in the closing laps of the race.
At the end it was all Johnson, who earned his fourth championship in just eight seasons in Sprint Cup racing. An emotional Johnson said he wasn’t sure he would be in this similar position, but noted that his team gave him confidence – especially the addition of Martin, who came to congratulate Johnson on making history.
“I just want to say how much I appreciate Mark Martin,” said Johnson of his teammate. “He’s made me step my game up.”
Martin was a non-issue for Johnson all night, but Martin is adamant about his place in the sport. He’s earned it and doesn’t feel a championship would change that.
“It’s been cool to be a part of all of that,” said Martin, of joining Hendrick Motorsports. “This has been more fun than I can remember having.”
“There’s no frustration. I’m very proud of what we accomplished,” added Martin of his year that included five wins and seven poles.
Martin will be back next season to contend again, but won’t disregard Johnson and team 48.
“Don’t think they’re done making it,” said Martin of Johnson’s history. “They’ve got a lot in front of them.”
The Hendrick organization have a lot in front of them as they also made history by becoming the first team to sweep the first three positions in final series point’s standings.
“What can you say, one, two, three Hendrick, that’s incredible,” said Jeff Gordon. “Just when you think you’ve seen everything a guy goes out and wins four in a row and Hendrick goes one, two, three. It’s incredible.”
“I really never thought I would see in my career or my life time somebody winning four in a row,” Gordon added. “To see it happen in front of your eyes makes it more extraordinary.”
Other notes from the Ford 400
Marcos Ambrose spun to bring out the first caution of the day on lap 81. Ambrose qualified third and led four laps after getting around Johnson in the opening laps of the race. Ambrose’s good run would be short lived after a cut tire forced an unscheduled pit stop and the day went downhill from there. Ambrose brushed the wall later in the race to bring out the third caution on lap 109. Ambrose would finish 35th, 16 laps down.
Under the third caution a stack up coming onto pit road ended Elliott Sadler’s chances at a good run when Erik Darnell slowed to enter the garage entrance and missed the entryway. The miscue caused the stack up of Robby Gordon, Reed Sorenson and Sadler. Darnell finished 36th twenty laps down. Sorenson and Sadler finished 40th and 41st, both 150 laps down. Gordon would finish 39th, forty laps down after spinning again later in the race.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s bad luck continued. Running as high as sixth, coming from a 32nd qualifying position in just 35 laps, Earnhardt looked to have a strong car. While running the high line Earnhardt brushed the wall multiple times damaging the car enough to effect performance. Earnhardt finished 28th.
Joey Logano finished his first season finale in the 24th position. Logano also nabbed Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors, becoming the youngest driver to do so.
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