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CUP: Final Race of 2009 Chockfull Of Scenarios
Written by: Rea White
SceneDaily.com   http://www.scenedaily.com
11/19/2009
Homestead, FL
 
Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon are the top three in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points as the season ends at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (Photo: LAT Photographic) ยป More Photos

For many NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers, there’s a sense of urgency entering Sunday’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. After all, this is the last chance to make a move in the standings or to continue a recent upward swing.

For some, it will also be a final race with their current teams. Roush Fenway Racing's Jamie McMurray, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's Martin Truex Jr. and Richard Petty Motorsports' Reed Sorenson are all competing for the final time with their current organizations. Penske Racing's Kurt Busch is working with crew chief Pat Tryson for the final time as well.

Emotions could run high when teams pull onto the 1.5-mile Florida track to prepare for the final race of 2009.

Most eyes, though, will be on the battles for positions within the Chase For The Sprint Cup. First, there's the battle for the title itself, where Jimmie Johnson has a 108-point lead over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin in his quest for an unprecedented fourth straight title.

Martin, a runner-up in the championship race four times in his career, has nothing but kind words for his teammate as they prepare for the final outing of the year.

"Jimmie is the man," Martin said. "There's so much that that guy does that people don't even know about. He's as dedicated as anyone I've ever seen, maybe more so. There's a reason I call him Superman,
you know? Whatever happens Sunday is how it was supposed to.

"And I will have no shame should I finish second to that guy. If he wins, it's because he outscored us. And that's what a points deal is about. They would have scored the most points, and we wouldn't have. And I will be one of the first guys to say that he deserves it. He has done what it takes, and it shows."

Behind the pair, and eliminated from contention once Johnson takes the green flag, is teammate Jeff Gordon. Gordon could finish anywhere in the top seven in the standings, except in the top spot, based on what happens Sunday. The four-time Cup champion trails Martin by 61 points entering the race. He is 42 ahead of Busch, who is 74 ahead of Stewart-Haas Racing's Tony Stewart, who is four points ahead of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's Juan Pablo Montoya, who is 32 points ahead of Roush Fenway Racing’s Greg Biffle.

So don't think that Gordon is taking Sunday's race lightly at all.

"There are some guys right behind us that could possibly overtake us," Gordon said. "We know that a Hendrick Motorsports driver will be this year’s champion. Hopefully, we can make it a one-two-three finish in the final standings for HMS.”


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