Jimmie Johnson didn’t win Sunday’s Ford 400. Denny Hamlin did. But Johnson accomplished something far more significant than a victory in a single event. His fifth-place finish was more than good enough to clinch his fourth straight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title, breaking a tie with Cale Yarborough for most consecutive championships.
|
1
(--)
|
|
Janelle Jalbert |
Okay, the fat lady has finally sung and the champagne has been sprayed. Jimmie Johnson needed only to finish 25th or better. He kept the big picture in mind finishing fifth at Homestead and driving the Lowe's Chevy into NASCAR history. With the 2009 season officially over, it is time for NASCAR Nation to take a moment and enjoy the fact that fan got to witness history being made this season. |
Jimmie Johnson proves that the American dream is alive and well, driving from a Southern California trailer park to NASCAR royalty...... Hendrick at Homestead: Jimmie Johnson takes title, team takes triple, Hendrick handles emergency |
|
2
(--)
|
|
Laura Thornton |
Mark Martin and his crew fought all day at Homestead to improve his Kellogg’s/Carquest Chevrolet – but in the end his 12th place finish wasn’t enough to overtake teammate Jimmie Johnson – who cruised to his fourth straight NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship and etched his name in the history books in the process.
|
|
|
3
(--)
|
|
Kyle Lavigne |
Jeff Gordon finished out 2009 with third in the standings, completing a Hendrick Motorsports sweep of the 2009 season. It may not have a championship, but their team proved themselves worthy of one, throwing everything they had at Johnson, especially in the early part of the Chase. But, it just wasn't year. Still, it's a season for them to be proud of. |
Gordon ends 2009 on a strong note, looks on to 2010... |
|
4
(--)
|
|
Katy Lindamood |
Although Martinsville hasn't been kind to Busch in recent years it doesn't mean he doesn't have the skills to tame the track. In 18 starts Busch has one win to his credit. Don't let the poor stats fool you. It's still anyone's Chase to win or loose |
It's not Jimmie's Cup just yet... Busch still in the running at Martinsville despite what the media says |
|
5
(+3)
|
|
David Yeazell |
Denny Hamlin ended his roller coaster ride through the Chase with a defining win at Homestead Miami Speedway.
|
Hamlin finished the Chase with a win...
Denny Hamlin chases final win at Homestead Miami
|
|
6
(-1)
|
|
Rosalie Thompson |
Tony Stewart kept his cool most of the 2009 season but let a confrontation with Juan Pablo Montoya cost him a top-five finish in the Chase. |
Stewart drops to sixth in points after on-track exchange with Montoya....
|
|
7
(--)
|
|
Greg Engle |
with his 14th place finish Greg Biffle earned his first winless season since he debuted in the Sprint Cup Series in 2003. |
It was a vanilla end to a vanilla Chase... |
|
8
(-2)
|
|
Joshua Lobdell |
Juan Montoya had a good first half of the chase, and a disappointing second half of the Chase. However it the finale at Homestead he let a grudge match with Tony Stewart rob him, and his #42 team, of a top five finish in the final points standings. |
One things for sure, Tony Stewart is off the Christmas card list... |
|
9
(--)
|
|
Jeff Norris |
Newman took the pole for Sunday's race at Martinsville, putting him in the best position among the Chase contenders to salvage what has been a pretty average Chase run for the #39 team. |
Will the #39 U.S. Army pit crew's weakness be magnified at Martinsville... |
|
10
(--)
|
|
Darren Pope |
Kahne's Chase run was full of highs and lows, but he never let up. A 10th place finish in The Chase gives the No. 9 Budweiser team something to build on in 2010. |
Kahne gave RPM a season to be proud of... |
|
11
(--)
|
|
Amanda Vincent |
Carl Edwards posted a top-10 finish in Sunday's Ford 400 by finishing seventh, but it wasn't enought to propel him into the top-10. He ended the season in 11th spot -- shut out of the award's banquet. |
With the 2009 season over, Carl Edwards is looking toward 2010... |
|
12
(--)
|
|
Clark Hamilton |
Brian ran strong, avoided trouble, and ran in the top fifteen all day at the Amp Energy 500 in Talladega. He positioned himself in second position at the start of the green-white-checkered -- NASCAR's version of overtime. Snake bitten as he has been throughout the Chase though, his line would prove to be the weaker of the two. He finished 14th. |
|
(All driver head shots: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Comments