Jimmie Johnson got what he deserved

HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 17: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet, celebrates in Champions Victory Lane after winning the series championship following the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 17, 2013 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 17:  Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet, celebrates in Champions Victory Lane after winning the series championship following the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 17, 2013 in Homestead, Florida.  (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 17: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet, celebrates in Champions Victory Lane after winning the series championship following the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 17, 2013 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Something strange happened Sunday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway after the final NASCAR Sprint Cup race of the season.  As is my usual tradition, I was making my way down from the press box across the track to the media center.  Normally this consists of heading down towards the track while throngs of fans are making their way up and out to head home. Over the years, I have learned to follow the spotters; since they are sort of demi-gods to fans the crowd will be like the Red Sea parting to allow Moses to pass.

Sunday night was different though.

Instead of the crowd surging upwards and out, they were all heading down towards the track. They lined the fence and crowded around the gate. Of course this race was unlike any other of the season; after all we were crowning a champion. The track was allowing fans to come down to the track and it seemed all were taking advantage of that.  Yes, I did find a line of spotters and the crowd did allow us safe passage. But as I reached the track and started past the stage, our newly anointed NASCAR Sprint Cup champion was introduced. Jimmie Johnson climbed from his car when introduced; and the crowd roared in approval. I had to stop and simply listen. MORE>>>

Greg Engle
About Greg Engle 7421 Articles
Greg is a published award winning sportswriter who spent 23 years combined active and active reserve military service, much of that in and around the Special Operations community. Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.