HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Jimmie Johnson’s run for his fourth straight Sprint Cup title starts from the pole.
Johnson turned a lap of 173.919 mph Friday to top qualifying at Homestead-Miami Speedway, a big boost for the Hendrick Motorsports star as he tries to become the first driver in NASCAR history to win four consecutive championships.
“We did an awesome job today, and I feel that the start will go smoothly,” Johnson said.
The start of Sunday’s Ford 400 could be tricky for the unflappable Johnson. Scott Speed qualified second and Marcos Ambrose third, two drivers who haven’t spent very much time on the track racing up front.
Speed and Ambrose don’t want to be the drivers who take out Johnson and forever are tagged as the ones who spoiled history.
“Certainly you don’t want to be the guy that takes out the 48,” Speed said. “That doesn’t look good on your resume. You give him room, you race him as hard as you can.”
Twin win for Harvicks.
Kevin Harvick made a late pass to win the season-ending Trucks Series race at Homestead-Miami and wife Delana clinched the owners’ championship when Ron Hornaday Jr. — who had already wrapped up his fourth Trucks title — finished eighth.
The Associated Press
