SOME STORYLINES:
•Johnson On The Point: Jimmie Johnson is not only chasing the title – he’s also chasing history, trying to become the first driver to win four consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championships, and break the record of three straight he shares with legendary Cale Yarborough. Johnson has won the last two races at Martinsville and five of the last six.

•Martinsville: Wild Card I: Martinsville Speedway, site of Sunday’s race, represents the first of two “wild-card” races in the Chase. Due to its tight, precarious half-mile layout, contact between cars is commonplace, opening the possibility for multi-car incidents – and huge shake-ups in the standings. Talladega Superspeedway next week is what you could call “Wild Card II” due to its 2.66-mile layout and the inherent unpredictability of restrictor-plate races.

•The Dream Lives for Martin: Don’t count veteran Mark Martin out of it yet. The four-time series championship runner-up is second in the standings, trailing Johnson by 90 points. With five races remaining, there is plenty of time for Martin to finally win that first title. He has two wins at Martinsville.