Johnson seizes record-tying 7th title

While Stewart won’t race in Sprint Cup again, he will be back in the seat of a race vehicle soon. Oh, yeah, and the one that elevated Johnson, 41, into the company of stock-car legends Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt as the only men to win seven season titles.

Johnson was the dog of the championship contenders in a winner-take-all season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Never the fastest vehicle among the title contenders on Sunday (in addition to Johnson, defending champion Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards and Joey Logano comprised the final four), Johnson worked his characteristically quiet magic all day, keeping himself in contention and laying the groundwork for a late move.

Johnson’s prior championships came during a stretch in 2006 to 2010, and in 2013.

And now, it’s on to No. 8.

As the media scrum dispersed – there was still racing left to run, and Edwards had no more role in it – Edwards walked over to a small circle of his family and friends, shrugged as if to say, “We did our best”, and slapped high-fives with each one. “I’m so thrilled to be in this moment, so grateful for the opportunity and so thankful and blessed. I am at a loss for words”.

First came “The King”, Petty, whose seventh crown came in 1979.

Noted Petty, “Records are a mark, and they set something for everyone to shoot at”. “Jimmie and his team have done that tonight”. In fact, Johnson’s seven are more impressive, coming as they have in a true age of NASCAR parity. Joey Logano asked him team, “Wow”.

“Jimmie is a great champion”. The win was the 15th for Hendrick Motorsports and seventh for crew chief Chad Knaus, who now only trails Dale Inman’s record eight. “I don’t know how you can top that moment”. How he won this thing tonight, I don’t think a lot of people know, he can will himself to get (his all) out of a auto when it matters. Knowing there’s that next goal to be accomplished. “Jason told me he was looking low, he told me, basically, he was there”.

He started second for the final restart and easily – and surprisingly – cleared Larson by the second turn.

He overcame adversity, starting from the rear of the field after NASCAR deemed illegal modifications were made to his No. 48 Chevrolet after inspection.

“I think it (blame) was shared”, Edwards said.

Several weeks ago, many predicted he’d never make it out of the first round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

Johnson quickly worked his way to the front of the field.

Stewart’s first order of business will be his annual off-road trip, and then he will likely find himself in a sprint vehicle at at a short track soon – something he has not done in more than two years.

Edwards was ahead of fellow title contenders Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson at the midway point of the 400-mile race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Edwards and Logano were involved in an accident on a late restart while Edwards was running second, completely changing the complexion of the championship race. Although Logano suffered damage to his auto, he was able to stay in the race. The final yellow flag came out four to go when Ricky Stenhouse Jr. crashed, setting up a dash to the checkered flag.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): K. Larson 7 times for 132 laps; K. Harvick 3 times for 79 laps; C. Edwards 8 times for 47 laps; J. Logano 1 time for 6 laps; J. Johnson 1 time for 3 laps; K. Busch 1 time for 1 lap. I know it was help from above. “A lot of these are just so excited because they know they will never have to race against me again”, he said.