Chairman praises Johnson's dominance Nov 22, 2009
This year, he needs only to finish 25th or better to beat Hendrick teammate Mark Martin for the historic title. France said NASCAR has no plans to tweak the format to prevent one driver from dominating. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Johnson and Martin take title race into finale Nov 22, 2009
Mark Martin has lost to Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart some of NASCAR's greatest drivers in his frustrating bid for an elusive championship ... (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) Mark Martin looks form his car during practice for the NASCAR Ford 400 Sprint Cup series auto race at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla ... " Understated, as always, and open for debate. He wasn't even finished underselling his accomplishments when Hendrick urged Johnson to speak up and make everyone... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Johnson takes pole at Homestead Nov 22, 2009
If he s knocked out early in Sunday s 400-mile event, his title hopes could be on the ropes and Mark Martin could have some new life as he shoots for his first championship ... (5) Mark Martin, Chevrolet, 172. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Gordon wants to keep driving for Hendrick Nov 22, 2009
He has his aim on second place only 61 points separate him from teammate Mark Martin. Gordon has 82 career victories in a Cup career that dates to one race in the 1992 season. (Longview Daily News, WA)
LINEUP: Ford 400 Nov 22, 2009
Quick hits: Jimmie Johnson needs to finish 25th or better to hold off Mark Martin for his fourth straight Cup title ... 919-mph lap bumped Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin from the top spot late in the session. (USA Today -- Sports)
Johnson takes pole Nov 21, 2009
If he's knocked out early in Sunday's 400-mile event, his title hopes could be on the ropes and Mark Martin could have some new life as he shoots for his first championship. "I typically wouldn't be (worried), but with living through the Texas experience, I'm not taking anything for granted," Johnson said. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Mark Martin says 2009 best year of his life Nov 21, 2009
No matter where Martin finishes in the final standings, the 50-year-old driver said 2009 has been the best year of his life (Somerset Daily American, PA)
Best Ever? Robert Laberge/Getty Images for NASCARJimmie Johnson will not rest until Sunday's race at Homestead is over and he has been crowned Cup champion.Jimmie Johnson will make NASCAR history on Sunday at Homestead-Miami, writes Lars Anderson. The driver is prepared for anything to happen and absolutely refuses to lose. Nov 21, 2009
Johnson, who is gunning for his record fourth straight Cup title, currently holds a 108-point lead over Mark Martin in the standings. Even if Martin leads the most laps and wins on Sunday, all Johnson has to do to capture the title is finish 25th or better. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
JJ aside, bank on Biffle at Homestead Nov 21, 2009
Mark Martin: You have probably already expended one of your past picks on Martin or may be pushing your fantasy salary cap too much to add him to your roster, but the ageless wonder has nothing to lose at Homestead. The No. 5 team has shown it has the versatility to run well at every track, and the team has fielded at least a top 10 car in almost every race this year. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Auto Racing Notebook: Johnson quest for Cup will start from pole Nov 21, 2009
Johnson goes into the Chase for the championship finale tomorrow with a 108-point lead over Mark Martin and needs only to finish 25th or better to win the title. More NASCAR. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Mike's Garage: Johnson's dominance unmatched in NASCAR history Nov 21, 2009
Mark Martin needed a win last weekend to him a shot at the championship and he could not get it done. - Advertisement - Wins in the Cup series just don t come that easy. (Gaylord Herald Times, MI)
Johnson to start title drive up front at Homestead Nov 21, 2009
919-mph lap bumped Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin from the top spot late in the session. Scott Speed and Marcos Ambrose also turned faster qualifying laps Friday than Martin, who will start fourth as the only driver who can keep Johnson from the title in the season finale. (USA Today -- Sports)
Johnson poised to break historic NASCAR reco... Nov 20, 2009
He, not Mark Martin, is the greatest driver never to win a championship. 7. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Who's hot and who's (or what's) not Nov 20, 2009
MARK MARTIN: If there were championships for class, he would have plenty ... Mark Martin is 108 points back heading into the season finale. (News & Observer -- Sports)
So, feuds and racing are 00004000bad now? Nov 20, 2009
Mark Martin is 108 points back heading into the season finale. What's the most ground anyone has made up this late. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Hendrick team hunts history Nov 20, 2009
jpg Associated Press Hendrick Motorsports drivers, from left, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin occupy the top three spots in the standings heading into the season;s final race. Associated Press Hendrick Motorsports drivers, from left, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin occupy the top three spots in the standings heading into the season;s final race ... No matter if Jimmie Johnson or Mark Martin leaves Homestead-Miami on Sunday with the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship,... (Athens Banner-Herald)
Hendrick looks for 1-2-3 sweep Nov 20, 2009
MARY SCHWALM - AP Either Jimmie Johnson (48) or Mark Martin (5) will win the Sprint Cup championship Sunday at Homestead-Miami for Hendrick Motorsports ... No matter if Jimmie Johnson or Mark Martin leaves Homestead-Miami on Sunday with the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, Hendrick Motorsports - which owns both cars - will have plenty to celebrate ... Mark Martin is 108 points back heading into the season finale. (News & Observer -- Sports)
For Hendrick, a 1-2-3 finish might make history Nov 20, 2009
A record-tying ninth NASCAR title, either from Jimmie Johnson or Mark Martin. And it'll be Rick Hendrick's 12th series title overall, which will break another record. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Johnson: NASCAR success not just fueled by format Nov 20, 2009
So how will history view Johnson, who enters the season finale with a 108-point lead over teammate Mark Martin and needs to finish 25th to clinch the title. If Johnson makes history, invariably it will lead to questions about whether NASCAR s playoff format - a 10-race Chase among the top 12 in drivers points after the first 26 races of the season - has actually worked for anyone but Johnson since it was implemented in 2004 as a way for NASCAR to generate more attention. (Boston Globe)
Hendrick on verge of historic 1-2-3 finish Nov 20, 2009
Hendrick Motorsports drivers, from left, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and Mark Martin ... No matter if Jimmie Johnson or Mark Martin leaves Homestead-Miami on Sunday with the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, Hendrick Motorsports which owns both cars will have plenty to celebrate. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Q&A WITH DALE EARNHARDT JR. Nov 19, 2009
Quick hits: Jimmie Johnson needs to finish 25th or better to hold off Mark Martin for his fourth straight Cup title. The last five Homestead races have been won by Roush Fenway Racing Fords. (USA Today -- Sports)
TomBowlesNascar Power Rankings Johnson tops Power Rankings with one week left in Chase. Nov 18, 2009
Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Kurt Busch top NASCAR Power Rankings - Tom Bowles - SI.com ... Mark Martin is proud of his season, regardless of whether he wins the title ... Running at a track where second-place point man Mark Martin dominated in the spring, Johnson delivered a knockout punch with his seventh win of the season. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Johnson joins most-dominant talk Nov 16, 2009
He seemingly opened a window of opportunity for his closest pursuers, Hendrick Motorsports teammates Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon, when he crashed 3 laps into last week's race at Texas Motor Speedway. But Johnson slammed their fingers in that window Sunday, taking his No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet past Kurt Busch for his first lead on Lap 56. (AZCentral -- Sports)
Johnson wins at Phoenix to cruise into finale Nov 16, 2009
The win stretched his lead to 108 points over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin heading into next week's finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Martin finished fourth, but it wasn't enough to derail Johnson. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Keselowski meets with France after latest run-in Nov 16, 2009
Mark Martin used the question-and-answer period of the pre-race driver meeting to ask the competitors to be careful entering pit road. Martin raised his hand when race director David Hoots opened the floor for questions, but instead made a statement. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Mike's Garage: NASCAR changes adversely affect racing at Talladega Nov 16, 2009
In both the RNewman and Mark Martin wrecks, the drivers had no chance to steer clear. That s not racing. (Gaylord Herald Times, MI)
Johnson wins, back in Chase control Nov 16, 2009
He limped to a 38th-place finish that sliced his lead in the standings to just 73 points over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin. His win at Phoenix Johnsons fourth in the last five races here, and seventh victory of the season stretched his lead to 108 points over Martin heading into the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Johnson rolls at PIR Nov 16, 2009
"There is no doubt in my mind that he (Johnson) was going to come out this week and make a statement," said Denny Hamlin, who finished third, ahead of crowd favorite Mark Martin and pole sitter Martin Truex Jr. "Leading all those laps is a statement. He's the best and he's not going to be denied this year. The only thing that's going to keep him from winning the championship is bad luck.". With the victory, which was by 1. (AZCentral -- Sports)
Change the rules Nov 16, 2009
To me, the 2009 season is complete, Jimmie Johnson will be a four time champion and Mark Martin will record is fifth runner up finish. Oh, I will still watch the final three races, but the excitement is gone. (Atmore Advance, AL)
Johnson cruising into finale after Phoenix victory Nov 16, 2009
It widened his lead in the standings to 108 points over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin, and Johnson needs only to finish 25th or better at Homestead to wrap up the title. The strong showing came a week after a fluke accident at Texas chopped a chunk of points off Johnson's lead, and the rebound was considered something of a "statement.". (Longview Daily News, WA)
Johnson wins at Phoenix, closes in on title Nov 16, 2009
Johnson's win in Sunday's Checker 500 left him with a nearly insurmountable points lead of 108 over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin entering next weekend's season finale at Homestead, Fla ... Lead-lap cars pitted, with Johnson coming off pit road first, followed by Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin and Kurt Busch ... (10) Mark Martin, Chevrolet, 312, 117. (Longview Daily News, WA)
2009 Sprint Cup Series Schedule Nov 16, 2009
April 18: Subway Fresh Fit 500 Phoenix; Mark Martin ... May 9: Dodge Challenger 500 Darlington; Mark Martin ... June 14: LifeLock 400 Michigan; Mark Martin. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Rewind | OK, so now Stewart's a mellow fellow? Nov 16, 2009
Mark Martin says the No. 48 team's performance means he has to work harder, next week and next season ... Mark Martin, who's looking at a fifth runner-up finish in the final standings. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Victory lane: Roundup of the Auto Parts 500 Nov 16, 2009
(10) Mark Martin, Chevrolet, 312, $123,500 ... Mark Martin, who's looking at a fifth runner-up finish in the final standings. (News & Observer -- Sports)
TomBowlesInside Nascar Carl Edwards discusses Texas, Bob Barker and dating fans. Nov 15, 2009
Edwards says he is enjoying the battle between Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin. Carl Edwards' wreck at Texas officially ended his championship hopes. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
LarsAndersonInside Nascar Mark Martin is out to end his hex and Jimmie Johnson's streak. Nov 15, 2009
Mark Martin wants to beat Jimmie Johnson in 2009 Chase - Lars Anderson - SI.com ... Mark Martin came up short in the points race 19 years ago in the final two races ... With two races left, Mark Martin hopes to overtake Jimmie Johnson and win the 2009 Sprint Cup Series. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Martin OK with second this time Nov 15, 2009
- Of all the second-place finishes in Mark Martin's career - and there have been a bunch - the prospect of being second again in this year's Chase for the Championship doesn't seem so bad ... - Of all the second-place finishes in Mark Martin's career - and there have been a bunch - the prospect of being second again in this year's Chase for the Championship doesn't seem so bad ... jpg Associated Press Mark Martin is 73 points behind Jimmie Johnson in the Chase standings with two races left. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Stewart considers 1st season as owner a success Nov 15, 2009
Driver Tony Stewart, left, and Mark Martin talk in the garage during a rain delay during practice for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 auto race at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Truex on pole, Johnson third at PIR Nov 14, 2009
The Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin show took a backseat Friday to a driver in search of a headline. On Friday in Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 qualifying at Phoenix International Raceway, Martin Truex Jr. got a doozy. (AZCentral -- Sports)
Mark Martin says 2009 best year of his life Nov 14, 2009
No matter where Martin finishes in the final standings, the 50-year-old driver said 2009 has been the best year of his life (Somerset Daily American, PA)
Nascar: Nos. 1-2 start 1-2 in race Nov 14, 2009
Mark Martin, who trails Johnson by 71 points in the standings with two races remaining, qualified 10th. Regan Smith, Kevin Conway and Brandon Ash failed to make the race. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Incentive? They're still racing, right? Nov 14, 2009
Jimmie Johnson has such a stranglehold on the championship that it's out of reach for every driver besides Mark Martin. And his only chance would likely require a major stumble by the points leader. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Martin won't admit it, but he has a shot Nov 14, 2009
It took only one word for Mark Martin to explain his humility, his pessimism at times and his tendency to insist he s not really that good ... He s a man who finished second in the points standings four times but never won a championship via what he wryly calls Mark Martin luck. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Johnson says he blamed Hornish a little too much Nov 14, 2009
He finished 38th and saw his lead in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship trimmed to 73 points over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin. Johnson said on Friday at Phoenix International Raceway that he s talked with David Reutimann, who tapped Hornish and took some blame for triggering the wreck. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Truex takes pole in Arizona Nov 14, 2009
Although he managed to get back out, he finished 38th and lost 111 points of his Sprint Cup Series lead over Mark Martin ... (5) Mark Martin, Chevrolet, 134. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Johnson's Chase challengers can't keep pace Nov 12, 2009
Mark Martin waits during a practice session last week at Texas Motor Speedway ... With only two races remaining to crown NASCAR s 2009 champion, Mark Martin is the only driver with a realistic shot of dethroning Johnson. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Driver notes Nov 12, 2009
Quick hits: Johnson had won three straight Phoenix races before Mark Martin snapped his streak in April. Chevrolet has an eight-race win streak at Phoenix, dating to 2005. (USA Today -- Sports)
Stewart to take advantage of Baja 'opportuni... Nov 12, 2009
But the 184-point lead Johnson held on Mark Martin going into Texas is down to 73 points. And Martin ended a 97-race winless streak by winning the April race at Phoenix. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
NASCAR - Sprint Cup - Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 Preview Nov 12, 2009
1993 Mark Martin, Ford, 100 ... Finish line order: Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, Kevin Harvick ... 5 Mark Martin (Batesville, AR) Chevrolet/Kellogg's/CARQUEST. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Martin's optimism gives him winning edge Nov 12, 2009
Getty Images for NASCAR MARTINSVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 23: Mark Martin, driver of the #5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 23, 2009 in Martinsville, Virginia ... I call it the evolution of Mark Martin ... In reality Mark Martin hasn t changed much during his 25-plus year in the Sprint Cup Series, but one thing that has is his attitude. (News & Observer -- Sports)
TomBowlesNascar Power Rankings He crashed in Texas, but Jimmie Johnson won't lose the Chase. Nov 11, 2009
Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Jeff GordontopNASCAR Power Rankings - Tom Bowles - SI.com ... Johnson s 38th place finish at Texas left him with a 73-point lead over Mark Martin ... Mark Martin Johnson's closest challenger was really the only driver to take advantage of his wreck Sunday, collecting a fourth place finish as one of only five Chasers to finish in the top-10. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Drivers get by with help from friends Nov 11, 2009
- The top three drivers in the Chase for the Championship are Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon ... - The top three drivers in the Chase for the Championship are Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon ... Few people are questioned more than Mark Martin. (Athens Banner-Herald)
This Week in Auto Racing November 13 - 15 Nov 11, 2009
Jimmie Johnson held a commanding 184- point lead prior to last Sunday's race at Texas, but after wrecking on the third lap, Johnson finished a season-worst 38th and saw his lead trimmed to 73 points over Mark Martin, who finished fourth. The largest deficit ever overcome with two races remaining occurred in 1992 when Alan Kulwicki trailed by 85 points, but edged Bill Elliott for the Cup title by just 10 points, making it the second closest points battle in series history. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Chase far from being settled with two races to go Nov 10, 2009
The view from Johnson's rearview mirror has Hendrick Motorsports teammates Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon closing in with two races remaining on the schedule. Martin finished fourth and moved to within 73 points of Johnson, and Gordon narrowed his gap to 112 markers after a 13th-place run. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Kurt Busch wins as leader wrecks, Chase tightens Nov 10, 2009
Web Search powered by YAHOO. Roy's new book: Read an from "Hard Work: A Life On and Off the Court". (News & Observer -- Sports)
Jimmie Johnson Wrecks on 3rd Lap in Texas Nov 10, 2009
Johnson came into the race with a 184-point lead over teammate Mark Martin and 192 over Gordon, the polesitter, though he could not have clinched Sunday even with a victory. There are two races left after Texas. (ABC 7 News, DC)
LarsAndersonInside Nascar Why Mark Martin's bid at winning the title suddenly looks brighter. Nov 10, 2009
Mark Martin excels at the final two tracks in the Chase this season ... Mark Martin is still alive in the title hunt ... Heading into Sunday's race, Jimmie Johnson only needed a top-10 finish in each of the last three Chase events to cruise to the Sprint Cup Championship, even if Mark Martin won out and lead the most laps in every race. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Updated – and unofficial – driver standings Nov 10, 2009
Updated and unofficial driver standings - Racing - NewsObserver. Web Search powered by YAHOO. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Kurt Busch wins at Texas, Johnson 38th after wreck Nov 10, 2009
Johnson's points lead was intact, though it was slashed from 184 to 73 over Hendrick teammate Mark Martin, who finished fourth. Busch won after he passed brother Kyle with 2 1/2 laps to go. (FindLaw News)
Busch Wins At Texas, Johnson 38th After Wreck Nov 10, 2009
Johnson's points lead was intact, though it was slashed from 184 to 73 over Hendrick teammate Mark Martin, who finished fourth. Busch won after he passed brother Kyle with 2; laps to go. (KFOXTV.com, TX)
Texas unkind to Johnson Nov 9, 2009
Johnson's points lead was cut from 184 to 73 over Hendrick teammate Mark Martin, who finished fourth, with two races left. "It's still a respectable lead, 73 with two to go is a good position to be in," Johnson said. (Athens Banner-Herald)
2009 Sprint Cup Series Schedule Nov 9, 2009
April 18: Subway Fresh Fit 500 Phoenix; Mark Martin ... May 9: Dodge Challenger 500 Darlington; Mark Martin ... June 14: LifeLock 400 Michigan; Mark Martin. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Johnsons wreck helps Kurt Busch win Nov 9, 2009
Kurt Busch drove to Victory Lane at Texas after his younger brother ran out of fuel with 2 laps left Sunday, finishing 129 laps ahead of the rebuilt car driven by Johnson, who saw his points lead slashed from 184 to 73 over Hendrick teammate Mark Martin with two races left. It was definitely not the day we wanted, Johnson said. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Kurt breaks up Kyle's triple Nov 9, 2009
That left Mark Martin, who entered the race trailing Johnson by 184 points for the championship, back in the hunt, down 73 with two races remaining. "I'm not really sure why everybody counts everything out. When it comes right down to performance, you know you can't beat those guys, Jimmie Johnson and those guys," Martin said. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Rewind | Racing to win? Category may be the key Nov 9, 2009
He lost 111 points of his lead but still holds a 73-point advantage over Mark Martin heading into Phoenix next weekend, where he s won three of the past four races. I felt like we had a chance to win the race today. (News & Observer -- Sports)
