Brace yourselves for another lackluster championship battle

September 28, 1:30 PMAtlanta NASCAR ExaminerJeremy Dunn

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Jimmie Johnson is shooting for a 4th straight title (AP Photo/Russ Hamilton Jr)

Two weeks ago, we all hinged our hope on the perception that this year’s twelve championship contenders are the most competitive since the format was introduced in 2004.  I still believe the 2008 chasers were the best from top to bottom, and recall last year’s championship battle, or lack thereof.  The problem with this Chase for the Championship format is not the points system. It is Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 team. 

For some reason or another, that team is in a league of their own once we reach the fall months.  In 2004, Johnson came within eight points of the championship.  He won nearly half of the races in the Chase.  Kurt Busch, however, put together a string of phenomenal consistency, and held off Johnson, barely.  In 2005, Johnson stumbled in the Chase, as Tony Stewart edged out the duo of Roush drivers, Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards. 

In 2006, the autumn ascendancy began.  Johnson was nearly flawless in the final ten races.  Matt Kenseth gave Johnson a run for his money, but in the end, the No. 48 team was a notch ahead of the No. 17.  In 2007, Johnson set a new standard in the formula for winning the title.  He won four races, and he finished in the top five six times, and the top ten eight times.  Jeff Gordon, who unarguably had the best overall season, did not stand a chance against the ever-consistent Jimmie Johnson.

Last year, Greg Biffle became the first driver to win the first two races in the Chase for the Championship.  He followed the wins up with a third place finish at Kansas, but ultimately, he could not match the consistency of Jimmie Johnson.  Biffle’s teammate Carl Edwards won three of the final four races, but fell short of the title. 

Since 2006, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Greg Biffle, and Carl Edwards did just about everything right in the respective championship battles, but they could not overcome Jimmie Johnson.  The combination of driver, equipment, and wisdom atop the pit box has given them an obvious advantage. 

Folks, the previous three seasons are likely a precursor to the 2009 championship battle. In all likelihood, Mark Martin will hang with Johnson for most of the Chase, at least until two races to go.  Juan Pablo Montoya could emerge as the Clint Bowyer of 2009, and hang around for a while; but if history is any indication, Johnson will have the title well-in-hand upon arrival to Homestead, Florida in November.

Martin called Johnson ‘Superman’ after the race at Dover.  Thus far, nobody has found the kryptonite to take him down.