Full Throttle

Jimmie Johnson claimed an unprecedented fourth consecutive title NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Championship by finishing fifth in the Sprint Cup season finale at Homestead.

Denny Hamlin won the race, his fourth of the year, Jeff Burton’s second place finish was his best of the year. Kurt Busch continued his late season resurgence, his third place finish follows his Texas win and a sixth at Phoenix.

Hendrick Chevrolet Johnson only required 25th position to put the championship beyond the reach of his team-mate and title rival Mark Martin, and always looked likely to deliver that result as he ran comfortably inside the top ten for most of the race, while Martin remained stuck around 15th.

Although Martin made progress in the final stint and eventually took 12th, that was not enough to stop Johnson stretching his incredible run of success.

The result also gave the Hendrick team a sweep of the top three positions in the championship, with Jeff Gordon’s sixth place sufficient to keep him ahead of Kurt Busch in the standings.

The Hamlin/Keselowski soap opera of Saturday had new players Sunday, but contained the same plot.

Tony Stewart and Montoya got together with Juan Pablo having to pit to repair damage. Shortly after returning to the track the hunt was on for Stewart. It didn’t take long, and retaliation ensued.

Everyone including Jimmie Johnson’s crew chief saw it coming telling the48 team’s spotter, Earl Barban to keep a sharp eye out when Montoya returned after repairs to the 42.

“Earl, keep an eye on the 42 and the 14. The 42 is back on the race track and the 14 is unfortunately ahead of us,” Knaus told Barban.

Brian Pattie, Montoya’s crew chief, later admitted: “If we had been going for a championship and I saw all that stuff happening, I would have told my driver the same thing.”

For the blatant spinarama Montoya received a two lap penalty. Boys will be Boys and Men will be Men, but when it’s the last race of the year and nothings to lose the Boys rule.

Well unless NASCAR rules, hence the two lap penalty but you get the point.

Martin once again was the bridesmaid for the fifth time, unable to make a run at derailing Jimmie Johnson’s march toward stock-car history.

“I probably picked the hardest one ever to try to win, but my race team was so awesome,” Martin said, the emotion clear on his face as he emerged from his car. “I just want to thank the fans and the competitors for their support. Means more to me than that trophy would, I swear.”

Martin also was second in 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002.

Jimmie Johnson said it best.

“I have to say how much I appreciate Mark Martin. … He’s made me step my game up and be a better race car driver,” Johnson said.

Let the “Drive for Five” begin.