When I looked at the points standings following the race at Phoenix, I kept thinking this is Jimmie Johnson’s title to lose.
Forget all the scenarios, forget all the “if Denny Hamlin leads and finishes...” forget all of that, in the end its all about who makes the least mistakes under pressure.
Strange to say seeing that he is sitting second in the points and 17 points behind Hamlin heading into the final race.
Make no bones about it, Sunday’s race at Homestead should be one of the best races in the last four or five years. There is a lot on the line and every lap will count.
After he drove to a fifth place finish, Johnson confidence was high. It what was looking disastrous with Hamlin leading the most laps and the car to beat.
Hamlin didn’t have enough fuel to go the rest of the way and was forced to pit.With most everyone else gambling on fuel, Hamlin had to settle for 12th.
Johnson was quick to remind Hamlin it’s far from over. "I know what my mind-set is. I hope the pressure of us being on his heels works on his mind over the course of the week, he and his crew. His guys better be on their toes. Not only do they have the 48 to worry about, but also the 29 in a one-race, winner-take-all championship."
Yep, that’s right it will be winner take all and Johnson carries the advantage because he has been here before.
In 2004, heading into the final race of the year it was only 18 points that separated Johnson and Kurt Busch.
Kurt Busch won the title in 2004 but only by eight points. Since that title race Johnson has talked about what he learned in that title race.
He took those lessons and turned them into success the last four years. We know this is the closest it has ever been heading to Homestead. Johnson has the experience though to dig down deep and find a way to get the job done.
One thing to watch for is he has never been forced to race for a title at Homestead in the last four years. He usually has been ahead and a large enough point’s lead where all he needed to do most years was just finish.
Now it’s a one race sprint, Johnson and his team has been the best at stepping up and getting it done when it counts.
Hamlin has never been in this position before usually he is the hunter. Hamlin has to run a near perfect race. Like Johnson, Hamlin can’t have any mistakes on pit road.
It's go time for Hamlin he can't do anything but run every lap like it’s the last lap.
This race on Sunday every pit stop and every lap will decide the title and for Johnson and NASCAR this exactly what they want.
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