Not since the championship
battle of Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards in 2011 had two drivers gone into the
Chase for the Sprint Cup so equally matched.
Stewart and Edwards ended up
tying for that title with Stewart earning his third crown because he had more
wins. This past season history very well could have repeated itself with Jimmie
Johnson and Matt Kenseth. The two drivers who all season and all Chase long,
proved they were the cream of the crop.
Kenseth opened the Chase with
two straight wins and quickly took commanding control of the point lead.
Johnson stalked the Joe Gibbs Racing driver and racked up top fives and wins of
his own. During the second half of the Chase they traded the point lead back
and forth, setting themselves up for a fantastic finale in Homestead.
But before Homestead comes Phoenix.
It was Johnson on the pole with
Kenseth starting deep in the field. While the 48 Lowe’s team from Hendrick
Motorsports had a solid top five day – escaping what could have been two major
incidents – Kenseth struggled mightily. The No. 20 team never hit the setup and
were only able to salvage a 23rd place finish.
Suddenly the exciting
championship battle was out of reach. The point lead for Johnson heading into
Homestead was an insurmountable 28. A top 25 finish in Homestead
would (and did) seal his sixth Sprint Cup championship.
An anti-climatic ending to a
Chase that had been shaping up as one of the best in its 10 year history.
But …
What if Johnson and Kenseth had gone into Homestead a lot closer in points, in a winner take all, who'd you put money on and why?
@Revvin4Seven48 Johnson, been in championship situations more often that not. Plus Knaus would have been the X Factor.
@kbr81911 Wow...thats a hard question. They are both great under pressure! I cant say Id even want to bet on either one!
@MC412 Easily 48. They've been through this enough that the pressure wouldn't affect them. I think the JGR crew could choke.
Josh Jones (via Facebook) Even though I am not a fan of his, I would still say Jimmie, just because Chad and him always know what to do during the chase races
Marshall Gabell (via Facebook) Jimmie, because he's Jimmie
Brian Cullather (via Facebook) I'd say Jimmie too because of the Chad factor
