HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Mark Martin has lost to Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart — some of NASCAR’s greatest drivers — in his frustrating bid for an elusive championship.
Standing in his way now? Jimmie Johnson, who takes a 108-point lead over Martin into today’s season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Barring a total collapse, Johnson will be the one to send Martin to a fifth runner-up finish in the standings. In doing so, Johnson will become the first driver in NASCAR history to win four consecutive championships.
When Martin gets beat, it’s by the very best.
“I don’t know how this guy here hasn’t won a championship,” wondered Rick Hendrick, owner of both Johnson and Martin’s teams.
“He has raced and finished second to some of the all-time greats when they were in their prime, from Jeff Gordon to Dale Earnhardt.
“Has anyone (else) ever raced against that many champions in their prime and finished second? He would have to be considered one of the all-time greats.”
Busch wins Nationwide title.
Kyle Busch made it a double dose of celebration, winning the Nationwide Series championship before completing a lap and capping his night at Homestead-Miami Speedway with his ninth trip to Victory Lane.
Busch held off a hard-charging Carl Edwards to win the 300-mile race, fitting because the two NASCAR stars finished 1-2 in the final standings.
Busch needed only to start the race Saturday to win his first NASCAR title. When the green flag dropped on the race, Busch was the champion. Busch finished with nine wins in the second-tier series and had 11 second-place finishes. He entered with a 190-point lead over polesitter Edwards. Busch had led 2,625 laps entering the race.
“I wanted to win this race badly,” Edwards said.
The Associated Press
Today’s race
NASCAR SPRINT CUP Ford 400
Site: Homestead, Fla.
TV: KMGH-7, 1:15 p.m.
Track: Homestead-Miami Speedway (oval, 1.5 miles).
Race distance: 400.5 miles, 267 laps.
On the Net:
Points standings
1. Jimmie Johnson 6,492
2. Mark Martin 6,384
3. Jeff Gordon 6,323
4. Kurt Busch 6,281
5. Tony Stewart 6,207
6. Juan Montoya 6,203
7. Greg Biffle 6,171
8. Denny Hamlin 6,140
9. Ryan Newman 6,081
10. Kasey Kahne 6,016
11. Carl Edwards 5,972
12. Brian Vickers 5,826
