Johnson shows no signs of letting up: Pole at Homestead
Quote selected text Published November 16th, 2007 in NASCAR News
Jeff Gordon’s uphill battle to claim a fifth NASCAR Cup championship became steeper on Friday when points leader Jimmie Johnson claimed the pole for Sunday’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
“We’re doing what we need to do,” said Johnson, after his lap at 176.788 mph on the 1.5-mile track.
Johnson has experience at doing what he needs to do. A year ago, he needed to finish 12th or better to guarantee his first Nextel Cup championship. He ended up ninth at Homestead.
This year, with an 86-point lead over Gordon, his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Johnson can clinch the title by finishing 18th or better in the 43-car field. Winning the pole guarantees Johnson choice of pit stall and should assure trouble-free sailing during the early stages of the race.
Johnson says he won’t significantly alter his style which has garnered him 10 victories this season, including four straight wins heading into the season finale. But he might error on the side of caution if a sticky situation presents itself.
“I will try not to make a stupid mistake and cost us this championship,” he vowed. “Running in the top 3 or top five is the safest point on the track.
“I worry about those things I feel that we can control, that we’ve done a good job with. I think we’ll be fine in that respect. It’s the things we can’t control that worry me.”
More at USAToday.com
- Morgan Shepherd to attempt Homestead
- Johnson beats Montoya for pole at Dover
- Top-12 - Chase for the Cup heading into Homestead
- Johnson wins Brickyard pole
- Jimmie Johnson wins pole at Richmond
Ha! How bout that dang Johnson, eh?
If he wins the race, he will have accomplished all of these in one race:
* Last Pole for the “old” car (done)
* Last Win for the “old” car
* 2nd Consecutive Championship
* 5th Consecutive Win
* First to-be champion to get pole at Homestead
* First to-be champion to win at Homestead
Whats so crazy about this pole award was that nobody saw it coming. Yeah, he’s been on a major winning spree, but he had never qualified in the top ten at Homestead before today. I reckon when it’s your time to shine, it’s your time to shine. If this carries in to next year then those other boys are in trouble.
Just imagine if he didn’t spin at Lowe’s… He was the man to beat there… and was leading at Talladega until a half a lap to go. If he would have won those two races, that would have given him 6 wins in a row and a pole going into his 7th race. The Daytona 500 is looking pretty good already… and that’s crazy.
johnson’s great for sure but you cant say he’ll be knocking em down next year
dont forget. dale jr will finally get a good ride and his talent will finally shine through.
good driver + bad equipment dont mix
Well I see Nemnuts and Andretti still haven’t realized they can’t make chicken salad out of chicken sh*t. It’s not your fault guys. You’re bringing a knife to a gun fight.
You can say anything you want, and that includes he’ll kick some butt next year.
All kinds of buffoons are saying that there’s a conspiracy and HMS cheats and all that, so we that support HMS are entitled to say anything we want as well.
HMS does cheat. Oh excuse me that’s “Bends the Rules”… Look at how many times they got caught just this year.
You can say all you want but the facts speak louder than you do…
It is just amazing to understand how a team that has stuggled at the last three tracks in since last year, Including JG, comes up and WINS the last three tracks and now a pole. HUMMMMMMMMM. me thinks, with the brains God gave us all, the snake in the Wood Pile is Huge……………
This Farce is so one sided that it makes NASCAR look like Huge bullies on a Playground of Bankers, of who can pay off the biggest payment first.
And this is Called Stock Car Racing. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bah, Hum Bug……….
iam with you jeff!! i think if jr can calm down just alittle he will do awsome!
thanks todd. i know this is off-topic but i still despise the fact that he couldnt take the 8 because of the wicked-
witch of mooresville. she was married to an earnhardt but that still doesnt make her one. That number has been in the
E family for so long and its bull*it he couldnt have it. Bob, every team out there “bends the rules” as you say its
not just HMS. If there’s a will and there’s a way to not get caught then hey winning’s winning, second place is just
the first loser. isn’t that what nascar has really become? commercialism and money. the fun of it is in the past and
more than likely with all the stupid rules out there..that will stay in the past.
Well all I have to say is.. tomorrow might be the most boring season ever with the COT.