Johnson closes on second NASCAR title
Updated: 2007-11-16 10:34
MIAMI - Jimmie Johnson will win his second successive Nextel Cup in Sunday's final race of the NASCAR season, providing he can defend a comfortable 86-point lead over Hendrick Motorsports team mate Jeff Gordon.
 Jimmie Johnson smiles as he answers questions from reporters during a news conference Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007, in Doral, Fla. Johnson goes into Sunday's NASCAR Nextel Cup Ford 400 auto race at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla., with an 86-point lead over teammate Jeff Gordon. [Agencies] |
"The only way we can win this weekend is if Jimmie has a problem but we don't wish that on anyone," four-times champion Gordon told reporters on Thursday.
Johnson has been in explosive form, winning the last four races. While he would love to make it five in a row, a record in the modern era, he knows it may be wise to drive safely to defend his points advantage.
"We have to do what we have been doing," he said. "Pushing the envelope at certain moments may not be the smartest thing but I think we have a chance to win this race.
"I am trying to keep my guard up and think about the overall war not just this particular battle."
Team owner Rick Hendrick knows that whatever happens at Miami's Homestead speedway track, his team will emerge as winners.
Hendrick said he would not get involved in issuing instructions to either driver.
"I often have the urge to hit the (microphone) button and frequently do but no, it is between these two and I am just going to watch," he said.
"They are two class acts and we are blessed to be in this position. It has been an unbelievable year but the guys have worked so hard.
"It is a shame we can't split the trophy but I don't think they would want to do that," added Hendrick.
Gordon, 36, recommended his younger team mate Johnson to Hendrick and the pair have a close working relationship that has survived their track rivalry.
"The reason I recommended Jimmie to Rick was I could see he could have similar success to me," said Gordon.
"He was always fast but he had to learn to control it."
The 32-year-old Johnson said he had learnt much of his art from watching his team mate at close quarters.
But Gordon said the roles were slowly reversing.
"Maybe I am going to have to do some learning from him," he said.
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