Jimmie Johnson Wins 2008 Sprint Cup Title; Carl Edwards Wins Fuel Mileage Gamble

Dominance and dynasty were the two words most thrown around in post-race celebrations at Homestead-Miami Speedway after Sunday's Ford 400.

And most of those words were aimed at NASCAR's second driver in history to win three-straight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships -- Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson.

Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus had a solid car Sunday night in the season-finale event of the 36-race NASCAR season, but with the race playing out in a fashion that required drivers to stretch fuel mileage to earn the race victory, the driver and team leader opted to play it safe by coming in for a splash of gas. The pit stop left Johnson to finish 15th and ultimately surrender 72 points to race winner Carl Edwards.

Edwards, though, couldn't overcome Johnson's enormous 141-point prerace advantage despite leading the most laps and winning the event thanks to a spectacular fuel mileage. It was Edwards' ninth win of the season and doubled as the most wins for any driver in 2008.

Edwards appeared to be the only driver who didn't pit either late in the race or out of sync with the race leaders, as the rest of the Top-5 featured drivers who pitted during the final caution flag. Kevin Harvick took 2nd, the resurgent Jamie McMurray took 3rd, Jeff Gordon remained winless in 2008 with a 4th-place finish and Clint Bowyer ended his run in No. 07 with a fifth-place finish.

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MARTINSVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 18: Justin Skinner, driver of the #03 Germain Toyota Toyota, poses on tack prior to the start of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway on October 18, 2008 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Justin Skinner

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MARTINSVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 18: Mike Skinner (L), driver of the #5 Toyota Tundra Toyota, poses with son, Justin Skinner (R), driver of the #03 Germain Toyota Toyota, on the track prior to the start of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway on October 18, 2008 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Mike Skinner;Justin Skinner

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MARTINSVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 18: Jeff Green, driver of the #40 Westerman Companies Chevrolet, spins as leader Ron Hornady, driver of the #33 Camping World Chevrolet passes during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway on October 18, 2008 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Green;Ron Hornady

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MARTINSVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 18: Johnny Benson, driver of the #23 Toyota Tundra Toyota, celebrates winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway on October 18, 2008 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Johnny Benson

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MARTINSVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 18: Johnny Benson, driver of the #23 Toyota Tundra Toyota, leads the field on the final restart during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway on October 18, 2008 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Johnny Benson

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MARTINSVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 18: Johnny Benson, driver of the #23 Toyota Tundra Toyota, makes a pit stop during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway on October 18, 2008 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Johnny Benson

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L Carriers Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway on October 18, 2008 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ron Hornaday Jr.;Johnny Benson;Kevin Harvick

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MARTINSVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 18: Johnny Benson, driver of the #23 Toyota Tundra Toyota, crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway on October 18, 2008 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Johnny Benson

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MARTINSVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 18: Johnny Benson, driver of the #23 Toyota Tundra Toyota, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway on October 18, 2008 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Johnny Benson

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Tony Stewart, in his final race with Joe Gibbs Racing after deciding in July to get into the ownership side of NASCAR in addition to driving, led in the final 20 laps with a very strong race car but wound up 9th after coming to pit road for fuel.

Matt Kenseth led 73 laps of Sunday's race and was trying to outrun Edwards late in the race when he ran out fuel with less than three laps to go. He wound up 25th

Two other Chase for the Sprint Cup contenders also suffered late-race problems to impact the final point standings and whether or not they would be heading to New York City during the first week of December for the Sprint Cup Series Awards banquet.

Jeff Burton made contact with Joe Nemechek on the backstretch and spun his No. 31 around and wound up 40th, 8 laps down. Dale Earnhardt Jr. suffered an odd brake failure that broke the caliper in the final 30 laps of the race to push him to a 41st-place finish.

Kenseth and Earnhardt Jr. finished 11th and 12th, respectively, and if NASCAR continues its tradition, they won't be attending the awards banquet that is only open to the sport's Top-10 drivers -- not the Chase for the Sprint Cup field.

Some other notable finishers included Travis Kvapil in 7th, Casey Mears in 8th, A.J. Allmendinger in 11th, Bill Elliott 12th, Scott Riggs 14th, Scott Speed 16th and pole-sitter David Reutimann in 20th.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

11-16-2008 @ 10:17PM

Leroy said...

what's more impressive? scoring the most points in only ten races, or the most points in 36 races(all year)??? jimmie johnson---- 1- time TRUE champion(2006)

11-16-2008 @ 10:31PM

JOHN said...

cream alwys comes to the top!

Victora said...

Congradulations Jimmie, Hendrick & Team Lowes Racing!!! For all those haters, not much shit can be said to a 3 x Champion! The proof is in, he's the best! He's #1!!

11-16-2008 @ 10:37PM

Sue said...

CONGRATS JIMMIE

11-16-2008 @ 11:26PM

ron said...

way to go jimmie and jeff and rick

11-17-2008 @ 7:17AM

Jay said...

Jimmie #1, nuff said!!!

11-17-2008 @ 12:27AM

Homer Simpson said...

Dominance and dynasty were the two words most thrown around ....here is another word B-O-R-I-NG. What a snoozefest. Thanks NASCAR for another non-inspiring Race for the Cup final. Kyle Busch had a great season, but Johnson wins again. What a rip-off.

11-17-2008 @ 12:37AM

Phyllis said...

I always thought the most WINS were the champion - Race for the Championship has ruined Nascar - would be better if the driver who wins each race gets a certain number of points - then maybe Hendricks drivers would race during time trials and get out in 1st position instead of getting points the LAZY way.

11-17-2008 @ 1:27AM

Gary H said...

What a lot of sour grapes for JImmy Johnson winning the Sprint Cup. The fact is that neither Hendricks Motorsport or Jimmy Johnson wrote how the championship was to be determined, but they did go out and win. It would have been okay if the Chase never happened, Johnson would have raced and won that too! The best driver won the last three years and it isn't up to Johnson to come back to the rest of the field. The other teams know how to win, but couldn't. The history of NASCAR will show that Johnson is one of the best driver's to ever strap himself into a race car seat. So, give him his due and find a way to beat him, if you can!

11-17-2008 @ 4:59AM

CAROL said...

whooohoo jimmie, what an awesome driver, congrats man!!

11-17-2008 @ 7:12AM

TheOtherSideofReason said...

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

OK...enough already. The cheaters have conquered once again. I wonder how many times knooooose will get fined next year.

Congratulations to Johnny Benson (Grand Rapids Michigan native) for his win in the Trucks.

Congratulations to Carl Edwards for 9 (NINE) wins this year in the Cup.

Congratulations to NASCAR for finally tightening the reigns on Toyota and making them adhere to the same rules as everyone else.

Shame on NASCAR for ruining a great season. I did not watch a single race this year that wasn't boring, except for the last 50 or so laps.

Congratulations to Clint Boyer for the NWS trophy.

Congratulations to Carl Edwards for 6 wins in the NWS, 2nd only to the other cheater Kyle Busch.

Congratulations to Carl Edwards for 15 wins total in the 2 main series, Cup and NWS.

Kudos to Steve Wallace for causing at least one caution in EVERY NWS race!!

Kudos to David Gilliland for giving Montablo a taste of his own medicine. Montablo ranks right up there with #66 in NWS.

11-17-2008 @ 9:15AM

Kim said...

Begging your pardon Other Side, but there were absolutely NO, I repeat, ZERO incidents of cheating this year from the number 48 team, driver, or crew chief. Once again, you spew words of hate and ignorant rhetoric with NO FACTS to back them up! You speak highly of Carl Edwards and frankly, I have more respect for him now after the classy way he congratulated Jimmie. This one wasn't a "shoe in" win, Carl gave Jimmie a run for his money and will be a force to reckon with next year. That being said, your buddy Carl WAS caught cheating this year (remember the oil cap incident?), was fined, had his crew chief suspended, yada yada yada. In fact had that not happened, perhaps Carl would have wound up with the trophy!

You people who spew hate about a driver's success, baffle me! Can't you just enjoy the history making event whether a fan of Johnson's or not? If you don't like it, and you continuously complain about NASCAR, then GO AWAY! We TRUE fans don't want or need your negativity!

I myself am thrilled not just as a Johnson fan, but as a daughter of a man who loved Cale Yarbourough. I have very fond memories as a little girl, watching Cale while sitting on my Daddy's knee. He is gone now, and I think it's awesome that my favorite driver is now in the same ranks as his!

Congratulations to the number 48 team, Jimmie, Chad, Jeff Gordon, and Rick Hendrick for an amazing season and a truly AMAZING achievement. As a fan of the number 48 team, I couldn't be happier. I've already ordered my history making sweatshirt and can't wait for it to get here so that those of you who are haters, can EAT CROW each and every time I wear it!

Kim

11-17-2008 @ 7:30AM

Mike LeVan said...

Congrats to JJ and the 48 team as a whole. It is obvious there is no better team which is what it takes to do what they have done.
The big three auto makers should hire jack rousch to design better enigines that have more HP while giving superior fuel mileage. The rice burners are ahead of them in this area and Detroit needs his help.
But no, Detroit will continue to try to sell us what they want us to buy instead of what we want until they are all bankrupt and turn to the government for another bailout. I wish I could be as wreckless with my finances as these companies have been and turn to big brother for help when the house of cardsd comes crumbling down. Oh wait, I can. It is called BANKRUPTCY. Where you can run up hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt you have no way of paying off only to say "sorry, I cannot pay you" and walk away with the ill otten booty you pilfered and not owe a dime.
Oops, sorry, ADD again. Congrats to the 48 team. Me, I am left with having to barrow the Junior Nation motto of "wait until next year."
MBL

11-17-2008 @ 9:40AM

Mike, since you brought it up, I must agree! I for one am SICK & TIRED of the government bailouts being handed out to banks, mortgage companies, insurance companies, and now possibly the Big 3. Bailed out with our hardworking money at that. Where's my bailout? That's right, I don't get one! I just continue to muddle along through life, working two jobs, busting my arse to keep a roof over my kids' heads, food on the table, and clothes on their backs. But I guess the "little people" like us don't matter!

You're right about another thing, too Mike. The BIG 3 don't need a bailout. They need to make a better product for the consumer. I love Chevy vehicles and would buy one in a heartbeat if it had the same standards and specs that Honda has. Unfortunately though, after doing extensive research on Minivans, my new addition, coming this spring, will be a Honda Odyssey instead of a Chevy minivan because Honda simply builds a superior vehicle. Perhaps instead of the government bailing out the Big 3, they should require them to send their higher ups in the research departments over to Japan to figure out just what the heck they are doing wrong, scrap what they are doing, and start again!

Okay, I'll jump off my soap box now, but then again, you started it, Mike. :-)

Kim

11-17-2008 @ 8:25AM

Donald said...

I wonder why J Johnson stayed back so far ? I am thinking he must have been illegal! Either way he has won so congratulation to JJ and his crew that has performed great enought to win the Sprint Chase and Kyle also for putting on a great show the first half of the chase, with out him nascar would have been in the dumpster this year. Nascar should give him a milion for keeping the fans to watch someone try and beat Kyle. Good choice Gibbs Racing for picking Kyle.

11-17-2008 @ 8:56AM

bob said...

after nascar made toyoter comply like everyone else,your boy kyle sucked lol

Brian said...

TV ratings are down, seats are empty, racing isn't better with the IROC cars. NASCAR and it's pundits say it must be the economy. The truth is Brian France is doing what most "silver spoon in mouth kids" that take over dad's business do, trash it! The true fans are leaving! The chase sucks, the new car has no identity, tridition is thrown away. Tracks are 1.5 mile cookie cutters.

11-17-2008 @ 9:46AM

k-dog said...

AWESOME...Jimmy did it.I am so proud to wear the #48 on my back and on my car. Chad,the pit crew the whole team,persistence,patience and an amazing skilled driver..Wow..and now history!!! I will never forget being a witness..06,07,08.THANKS NASCAR

11-17-2008 @ 9:48AM

David said...

I agree. Brian France is killing this sport. It's all about money now. The only reason Toyota is competing is because of the influx of MONEY! Good Job Brian, empty seats, lower ratings, you are the man.

11-17-2008 @ 10:09AM

Kim, Seems that I touched a nerve!!

Yes, knooose and crew cheated, they just didn't get caught...this time.

And yes, I remember the oil cover issue with CE. If I recall, it was the second race of the season, AND HIS FIRST OF NINE WINS!! And we all know that it did not give him any sort of advantage to win this race. It was a design flaw/safety issue that caused the problem and violation. The 10 points lost because of this would not have made a difference in the end.

What I don't remember is any violations in the other 8 wins that he had, 2 more than JJ.

The main purpose of my post was to point out the bias that GM has when choosing what topics are written about. Carl had more wins than any other driver in the Cup, and it would be nice to see a story about that.

Face it, when it comes to Roush/Fenway Racing and Fords, they consistently had a higher percentage of drivers in the top 10 than any other team. And when comparing the percentage of Fords in any given race (about 18%) to being 50% of the top 10, you should give the team some credit. But for some reason, the talk always turns to HMS, JGR, DEI etc.

Once again, CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 5 ROUSH/FENWAY DRIVERS...

CARL EDWARDS

GREG BIFFLE

MATT KENSETH

DAVID RAGAN

JAMIE McMURRAY

GREAT JOB GUYS AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THEM NEXT YEAR!!!