Welcome to the club! Jimmie Johnson joins NASCAR’s most elite
group by winning the Ford EcoBoost 400 and his seventh career Sprint Cup Series
championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday.
Johnson joins legends Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Richard Petty as the
only three drivers to win seven career Sprint Cup Series championships- the
most all time.
“It's
big. It has a different meaning,” said Johnson. “The No. 7 has a very special place in my heart
with Ricky Hendrick. As a lot of people know. For some reason I just felt good and calm today
and things just kind of unfolded at the end for us. I know it was help from
above. In
my heart I wanted to believe it would happen. It has and I just can't believe
it.”
Johnson started the race in the rear of the field due to an
unapproved body modification, but was still able to methodically move his way
up the leaderboard earning his first career victory at Homestead-Miami
Speedway.
“Oh my gosh, there is no, no way on earth,” said Johnson. “Just beyond words. “Just didn't think the race was unfolding
for us like we needed to do to be the champs, but we just kept our heads in the
game. Chad called a great strategy, made some great adjustments for the short
runs.
Luck came our way and we were able to win the race and win the
championship.”
Johnson held off championship four contenders Carl Edwards, Joey
Logano and defending champion Kyle Busch to capture the checkered flag. Logan
finished the race in fourth position, while Busch placed sixth. Edwards
finished the race 34th after he was involved in a late-race accident, which
brought out the Red Flag on lap 259.
Johnson’s seventh title comes ten years after he earned his first
Sprint Cup Series championship (2006). This victory brings Hendrick Motorsports
another owner championship, adding two more trophies to their collection on the night.
Looking ahead to the 2017 season, it will be interesting to see
if Johnson can become the first driver to win eight Sprint Cup Series
championships.
