Bull’s-Eye On Defending Five-Time Champion

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2011) – NASCAR’s Chase Media Week ended Thursday, with all 12 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers converging on Chicago’s LaSalle Power Company for the annual Chase Media Day.

Drivers were ushered from television to radio to print media to a fan Q&A during the day-long session, and a familiar theme dominated each conversation: Who’s going to end five-time champion Jimmie Johnson’s unprecedented reign?

Continue reading “Bull’s-Eye On Defending Five-Time Champion Jimmie Johnson”

Johnson Vulnerable Heading Into 2011 Chase?

It’s not so much that Jimmie Johnson has lost his mojo. Certainly not.

It’s more that the competition has grown in ferocity. That’s the reason why 2011 seems more like the year that someone steals Johnson’s crown.

Then there’s this statistic that might provide some blood-in-the-water: Johnson is entering this Chase with one win, the fewest of any of his previous seven Chases.

There’s also the possibility of a slow start. Chicagloand is one of five active tracks at which Johnson has not won. The others: Watkins Glen, Michigan, Homestead and Kentucky. Though, that might not matter. Johnson has had slow Chase starts before, finishing 39th in the 2006 opener and 25th last year. Both those races were held at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Five time Championship winning driver Jimmie Johnson and much of last year’s top 10 drivers visited the White House on September 7th, 2011 where they were honored for their achievements by President Barack Obama.

AUDIO

President Obama says Jimmie Johnson is on par with some of the best dynasties in all of sports

President Obama thanks the drivers and NASCAR for their support of military families 

Special to the Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

(September 6, 2011)

HAMPTON, Ga. — Jeff Gordon dominated much of the rain-delayed AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Tuesday and then won a duel with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson for his third Sprint Cup Series win of the season.

Gordon held about a 2-second lead with 20 laps remaining, but Johnson, who rallied from early struggles, closed on Gordon’s bumper with 11 laps remaining. He then dogged Gordon over the final 10 laps, trying repeatedly to get by his teammate.

Continue reading “Tuesday Race Recap: Gordon Holds Off Johnson for 85th Career Cup Win in Atlanta”

Johnson, Busch Battle For Points Lead
Though in less than a month, the points positions will be shuffled, it’s interesting to note who sits at the very top right now.

Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson sit in a points tie for the number one spot, a points lead that officially goes to Busch because of his series-leading four wins.

But even though that tie will evaporate once the points reset after Richmond, these just might be THE two drivers to watch. Johnson is the five-time defending champion, and Busch is often at the top of the list entitled “Who Can End Johnson’s Reign.”