Jimmie Johnson, The Ford 400, The Race Lineup

Right now, if you were to look at some stats, it's not looking good for Jimmie Johnson. For others, the stars have aligned nicely.

David Reutimann got his very first pole for Sunday's race while Jimmie Johnson looked to struggle and has qualified 30th for the Ford 400 at Homestead, putting the team at a disadvantage in the pits.

His 30th place starting post does not belie the fact that in the first practice session, Johnson was 6th quickest - so the starting spot isn't too worrisome. This is the kind of drama NASCAR likes!

Edwards has it a little better, as he's got himself the 4th starting spot and finds himself 7th on the speed charts from the first practice session.

Carl has better pit position but we have all seen how Johnson and his team handle adversity, not to mention all he has to do is finish in front of a few cars to lock himself into the Cup, the will runneth over when he crosses the finish line 36th or better on Sunday.

Behind Reutimann, is Scott Speed, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards & Kevin Harvick rounding out the top 5. (screen shot, nascar.com)

Cup Lineup | Practice 1
























Jimmie Johnson turns laps around Homestead during practice for Sunday's Ford 400.
(Photo Credit: Robert Laberge/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Johnson, Edwards and Homestead, the Ford 400

I've got a bad feeling that Homestead is going to be a bit anti-climatic as I expect the cameras to hover over Jimmie Johnson, looking for the tiniest little fart, loose pebble or flying paint chip. Once there are 8 cars out of the race, if they get to that point, the Championship is Jimmie's and he can pull up to his pits, get out, and kick it on a lawn chair on top of his pit box and watch the struggle for second. Unless NASCAR starts him 2 laps down just to keep us excited about the process!! I know that won't happen, but I had to toss that humorous overtone out there.

The real take on the upcoming weekend:

Jimmie Johnson’s statistics for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is very daunting for the competitors to look at.

Johnson has himself three wins with an average finish in the field of 4.7 and a resounding Driver Rating of 118.7 while he's fired up in the Chase.

When was the last time Johnson finished outside the top 15 in a Chase race? That would be when he finished 26th, at Talladega in 2006!

Right now, Jimmie Johnson has a 141-point lead over Carl Edwards and all he needs to do is finish 36th or better to make a piece of history that has ONLY HAPPENED ONE TIME BEFORE IN NASCAR HISTORY, and that's win a third consecutive championship.

In his career, Edwards has never gained 141 points on Johnson in one race, and yet, there is a wee bit of hope…

In 2005, Jimmie finished 40th and Edwards finished 4th. If that were next week, that would give the Cup to Carl!

Some Rating Numbers:
At Homestead, the stats may give Carl Edwards a teeny bit of hope, but it's going to be more than hope to help Carl overtake the No. 48 Chevy.

Edwards has a Driver Rating of 107.2 and an Average Running Position of 9.1.
Johnson has a Driver Rating of 85.0 and an Average Running Position of 16.8.

It ain't enough, but it's something for Carl Edwards, his team, and his fans.

Did you Know?:
If Jimmie Johnson wins the championship:

• Chad Knaus will become the first crew chief to win three consecutive championships.
• This will be the eighth championship for Rick Hendrick. (Previous: Jeff Gordon-4, Jimmie Johnson-2 and Terry Labonte-1.)

Overall Driver Ratings for Homestead:
Martin Truex Jr. 116.1
Matt Kenseth 115.6
Greg Biffle 111.0
Carl Edwards 107.2
Kasey Kahne 97.4
Jeff Gordon 92.8
Mark Martin 91.6
Ryan Newman 90.7
Kevin Harvick 88.4
David Ragan 88.3
Note: Driver Rating compiled from 2005 and 2007 races (3 total) at Homestead.

Qualifying/Race Data
2007 pole winner: Jimmie Johnson (176.788 mph, 30.545 seconds)
2007 race winner: Matt Kenseth, 131.888 mph, 11-18-07)
Track qualifying record: Jamie McMurray (181.111 mph, 29.816 seconds, 11-14-03)
Track race record: Tony Stewart (140.335 mph, 11-14-99)

The Pit Windows expected at Homestead: Every 50-55 laps, based on fuel mileage.

source: NASCAR Press Release

Johnson - Points Lead and Homestead Pole

Jimmie Johnson grabbed the pole for the Ford 400 at Homestead for Friday.

(I'd say look out Jeff, but pole sitters don't always translate into race winners.. soooo the tension builds even further!!)

He was followed up by Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth & Kurt Busch for the top 5 spots.

Jeff Gordon nabbed the 11th spot for the start.

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