Jimmie Johnson Needs 12th or Better At Final NEXTEL Cup Battle
ALMOST HOME
Harvick wins; Johnson nears title
By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service,November 13
AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Despite a balky alternator and a race peppered with cautions over the final 50 laps, Kevin Harvick held off Jimmie Johnson in a three-lap dash to the finish in Sunday's Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
In winning his fifth race of the season, his second this year at Phoenix and the 10th of his career, Harvick gained only 15 points on Johnson in the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup. Johnson, who has finished either first or second in each of the past five races, had reason to celebrate Sunday, as the driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet extended his points lead over 13th-place finisher Matt Kenseth to 63.
Johnson had to come from 29th starting position, the result of an unfortunate early draw for Friday's qualifying session. But Johnson raced through the field and passed Harvick for the lead on Lap 134. All told, Johnson led 28 laps, a number far inferior to Harvick's 252.
Harvick and rookie Denny Hamlin, who ran third at Phoenix, trail Johnson by 90 points entering next Sunday's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Johnson can clinch his first Nextel Cup championship with a finish of 12th or better at Homestead.
Jeff Gordon came home fourth at PIR, and Carl Edwards finished fifth. Mark Martin, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Burton completed the top 10.
"We just having fun and racing as hard we can just doing what we've been doing all year," Harvick said. "To tell you the truth, there's not a lot of pressure. We're just doing what we've tried to do all year, and that's win races."
Harvick had some advice for Johnson as he contemplates his championship prospects at Homestead.
More on one race to go for Johnson
Harvick wins; Johnson nears title
By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service,November 13
AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Despite a balky alternator and a race peppered with cautions over the final 50 laps, Kevin Harvick held off Jimmie Johnson in a three-lap dash to the finish in Sunday's Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
In winning his fifth race of the season, his second this year at Phoenix and the 10th of his career, Harvick gained only 15 points on Johnson in the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup. Johnson, who has finished either first or second in each of the past five races, had reason to celebrate Sunday, as the driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet extended his points lead over 13th-place finisher Matt Kenseth to 63.
Johnson had to come from 29th starting position, the result of an unfortunate early draw for Friday's qualifying session. But Johnson raced through the field and passed Harvick for the lead on Lap 134. All told, Johnson led 28 laps, a number far inferior to Harvick's 252.
Harvick and rookie Denny Hamlin, who ran third at Phoenix, trail Johnson by 90 points entering next Sunday's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Johnson can clinch his first Nextel Cup championship with a finish of 12th or better at Homestead.
Jeff Gordon came home fourth at PIR, and Carl Edwards finished fifth. Mark Martin, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Burton completed the top 10.
"We just having fun and racing as hard we can just doing what we've been doing all year," Harvick said. "To tell you the truth, there's not a lot of pressure. We're just doing what we've tried to do all year, and that's win races."
Harvick had some advice for Johnson as he contemplates his championship prospects at Homestead.
More on one race to go for Johnson
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home