Jimmie Johnson Wins 5th Consecutive NASCAR Title

With his second place finish on Sunday at Homestead, Jimmie Johnson clinched his fifth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship.

Does Johnson have your respect now?

Seemingly, NASCAR fans and critics always seem to find something that takes away from Johnson’s championship.  However, this year, he actually had to earn it.

Entering the Ford 400, Johnson was fifteen points behind Denny Hamlin in the standings.  Hamlin was earning all the publicity about being able to hold on and snap Johnson’ streak.

Johnson also had all the negativity.  This team seemed beatable for the first time in five years.  This became most evident with the “crew swap” during the race at Texas.

Hamlin wrecked on lap 25.  While not suffering severe damage, it put Hamlin at a disadvantage early on, in addition to the 38th starting position.

Kevin Harvick, also in the mix, but a longer-shot, had a crucial pit-road speeding penalty which set him back.  However, Harvick would have needed both Hamlin and Johnson to have issues to have a legitimate shot.

However, Johnson, normally being able to come in to Homestead only having to finish in the top-20, was smooth and steady.  Johnson finished second, only to Carl Edwards, who had the fastest car most of the day.

This has to be the sweetest championship of the five for Johnson, for reasons on and off the track.

As previously mentioned, Johnson had to fight all the way to the final race for this championship.  In fact, he did not even hold the points lead.  He was not even the best driver during the ‘Chase’ races.  He only won one race.

Not saying he did not do it in previous years, but this one did not come easy.

Second, he got to celebrate with his family.  Midseason, Johnson and his wife, Chandra, had their first child, Genevieve.  Johnson said in his celebration that she, Genevieve, was the greatest trophy of his life.

Finally, entering this season, there was a lot of speculation on if crew chief Chad Knaus and Hendrick Motorsports (Hendrick now holds the record for most championships) would come to a contract agreement.  They did, and the run continued.  Knaus has continued to assert himself as one of, if not the best crew chief in NASCAR history.  Knaus might also be the best ‘coach’ right now in sports.

To all the naysayers, Johnson won this one fair-and-square.  He might not have had the best season, but he is still the best driver.  Homestead did not amount a victory lap as in past seasons.  People might not like it, but let’s celebrate the greatness of Johnson’s feat, one that might never be accomplished in any sport ever again.

Johnson is the sport’s greatest driver in this era of NASCAR.  He is now a five-time-consecutive-defending champion.

Can he just get your respect, now?