Johnson Looks To Extend Lead At Phoenix In Chase For The Sprint Cup

Sports News - November 13th, 2009 - Written by Scott

The Chase for the Sprint Cup continues on Sunday in the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Speedway. Jimmie Johnson still has the lead despite finishing 38th last weekend after his car crashed on the 3rd lap at Texas Motor Speedway. Johnson had his commanding lead over Mark Martin cut to 73 points and now both Martin and Jeff Gordan still have a shot at the title. Gordon trails Johnson by only 112 points going into the final two races of the Chase, with the final race taking place at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Johnson is the defending champion from last year where he barely beat Kurt Busch across the finish line. Johnson's 73 point lead is the second largest since the Chase began in 2004 and fans should not expect for Johnson to be comfortable with the lead.

"I've always been a believer of playing offense," Johnson said. "Whenever we have played defense, we've done a miserable job."

Johnson is the obvious favorite heading into Sunday's race at Phoenix International Speedway. In 12 starts at Phoenix, he has 3 wins, seven top 5's, and ten top 10 finishes. However, Martin has raced well at the one mile oval track and even got his first win of this season at Phoenix back in April. He feels that he should fare well again on Sunday.

"I have no doubt that we'll run strong there again," Martin said. "And there's no reason for me to think that we won't have a strong race in Homestead, either. Performance-wise, this is one of the best teams."

Johnson can wrap up the title this weekend should he leave the race with a 195 point lead in the point standings. Also, Johnson can win the Chase if he finishes fourth or better in the last two races, no matter where Martin finishes at Phoenix or Homestead. The top three drivers in the Chase historically have raced well at Phoenix and Johnson knows that anything can happen with the success the two drivers behind him have had at Phoenix.

"For me it's a great track but it's also a great track for Jeff. He runs very consistent there, and then Mark won in the spring," Johnson said. "The two guys I'm trying to stay ahead of in the points have that track as a strong one, as well. At the end of the day I feel very confident. I feel very strong about the performance Hendrick Motorsports will have. I just hope it's the 48 car on top of the heap."

For those of you doing some NASCAR betting, Johnson comes into the race as the favorite to win with his odds set at 4/1 according to Bodog sporstbook. Martin has his odds set at 5/1 and Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin have their's set at 8/1.

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