Racing Beat
to share. In 2008 with a NASCAR playoff in place Johnson was solid if not spec-tacular through 26 races. It was the final 10 that composed the Chase for the Cup, and Johnson seemed to find a new year, quickly distancing himself from the competition. Though Carl Edwards made a strong push, the final race of the year at Home-stead was a mere formality to Johnson's coronation. In 2008 Johnson had seven victories and 15 top-five finishes. In a mere eight years on the circuit he has 40 checkered flags and has earned a staggering $66,638,382. And, of course, three crowns. It's pretty big, Johnson says. To win three of anything is pretty special. See-ing comments where I've mentioned I couldn't say where I placed [in history], it wasn't my place to say that. So when people notice what we have done and compare us to other teams in sports his-tory, that's special. Currently the late Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty are tied at the top of the Cup championship list with seven titles, while Jeff Gordon Johnson's friend and teammate at Hendrick Motorsports is third on the list with four crowns. After three straight titles Johnson is already being asked about the possibil-ity of winning an unprecedented fourth in a row. It's going to be tough, Johnson says. Amazing we've been able to do three and not be so focused on tomorrow or next year. The team's been doing a great job, and I feel like with the changing times we've had with the old car, then a combination of the two cars in '07 and the new car this year, we can stay on top of the change in the sport and stay com-petitive. And while Yarborough is now relax-ing on his farm in South Carolina, John-son has relaxed in his own way before resuming the rigors of another Cup cam-paign, soon to begin. My wife and I have been interested in Eastern Asia to explore and see Thailand and Bali and a bunch of areas, Johnson said in November. I don't know much about these areas, but I see them in the magazines and have heard from friends who have traveled. I can't pronounce them now, but I know I'll come home much more in tune with it all and enjoy-ing the experience. Racing Beat DRIVER DIVERSIONS ProMiles_TN0209.indd 1 1/8/09 3:17:00 PM FEBRUARY 2009 TRUCKERS NEWS 39 To find my name in the record books and be in the company of Cale in such an elite situation means the world to me. Jimmie Johnson