It’s not very often that there is a sure thing in racing; this Sunday isn’t one of them.
Rick Hendrick will own the car that wins the NASCAR Cup Championship and he’ll be writing new pages in the record books.
Racing statisticians say Jimmie Johnson needs only to finish 25th or better to lock up a record four consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Championships.
Others will say that on nine occasions (in 265 races when they went head-to-head) that Mark Martin had made up a 108-point deficit on Jimmie Johnson. Twice, in those races, Martin made up 132 points – including once at Miami in 2005. While it’s likely that Johnson will take the Cup, it’s not certain, yet.
On the other hand no matter what happens on the track on Sunday Rick Hendrick will be the championship car owner will tieing Petty Enterprises for nine NASCAR Sprint Cup Series ownership championships. He will also be the all-time owners champion for the three national series with 12 championships.
With Johnson and Martin he’s locked in the top two drivers, and if Jeff Gordon holds on, Hendrick could be the only owner in NASCAR history to have his drivers finish one-two-three in the standings.
Hendrick said “I would have to say this is probably as good as it gets. You know, to have the three cars in the points where they are right now, having the championship as owner going into Homestead already secured, we've won a lot of races, and this has got to be as good as any season we've ever had.
Oddly enough, 25 years ago when he first entered the NASCAR world, he had big desires, but, low expectations.
“I never really thought I'd win a race. I wanted to win a race, but I never thought I'd win a championship. I was just happy to compete.
I grew up, and it was almost in the modified racing with my dad. It was an honor to go to a Cup race. It just so happened I was a big Rex White and Bobby Allison fan. To think I would be able to do it, to compete in it, was an honor for me.”
Hendrick was humbled by the comparison to the the King, Richard Petty.
“So to be able to look back and see what we've been able to accomplish, I've just been really fortunate to be around a lot of great people. It's hard for me to believe that we're sitting here tied with Richard Petty I owe it all to the people. I really can't explain how it happened, it just did.”
Hendrick overcame many obstacles to establish the dynasty that is ruling NASCAR these days and he remains grateful for what his teams have achieved.
“So, anyway, I'm very fortunate. Whatever happens Sunday, we've had a heck of a year. Both of these guys are champions.”
photo:Sam Greenwood/Getty Images for NASCAR
Rick Hendrick will own the car that wins the NASCAR Cup Championship and he’ll be writing new pages in the record books.
Racing statisticians say Jimmie Johnson needs only to finish 25th or better to lock up a record four consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Championships.
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Others will say that on nine occasions (in 265 races when they went head-to-head) that Mark Martin had made up a 108-point deficit on Jimmie Johnson. Twice, in those races, Martin made up 132 points – including once at Miami in 2005. While it’s likely that Johnson will take the Cup, it’s not certain, yet.
On the other hand no matter what happens on the track on Sunday Rick Hendrick will be the championship car owner will tieing Petty Enterprises for nine NASCAR Sprint Cup Series ownership championships. He will also be the all-time owners champion for the three national series with 12 championships.
With Johnson and Martin he’s locked in the top two drivers, and if Jeff Gordon holds on, Hendrick could be the only owner in NASCAR history to have his drivers finish one-two-three in the standings.
Hendrick said “I would have to say this is probably as good as it gets. You know, to have the three cars in the points where they are right now, having the championship as owner going into Homestead already secured, we've won a lot of races, and this has got to be as good as any season we've ever had.
Oddly enough, 25 years ago when he first entered the NASCAR world, he had big desires, but, low expectations.
“I never really thought I'd win a race. I wanted to win a race, but I never thought I'd win a championship. I was just happy to compete.
I grew up, and it was almost in the modified racing with my dad. It was an honor to go to a Cup race. It just so happened I was a big Rex White and Bobby Allison fan. To think I would be able to do it, to compete in it, was an honor for me.”
Hendrick was humbled by the comparison to the the King, Richard Petty.
“So to be able to look back and see what we've been able to accomplish, I've just been really fortunate to be around a lot of great people. It's hard for me to believe that we're sitting here tied with Richard Petty I owe it all to the people. I really can't explain how it happened, it just did.”
Hendrick overcame many obstacles to establish the dynasty that is ruling NASCAR these days and he remains grateful for what his teams have achieved.
“So, anyway, I'm very fortunate. Whatever happens Sunday, we've had a heck of a year. Both of these guys are champions.”
photo:Sam Greenwood/Getty Images for NASCAR