Cool keys to the title for all four Chase for the Sprint Cup drivers
We all know the four drivers remaining in the Chase for the Sprint Cup who will duke it out at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday (2:30 p.m. ET, NBC). Here’s a look at some details you may not know about each driver, listed in seeded order for the finale:
Joey Logano, No. 22 Ford, Team Penske
Logano, at 26 the youngest among the title hopefuls, can win his first championship at NASCAR's highest level. While doing so, he also could help team owner Roger Penske complete a rare feat - winning the title in the top series in NASCAR and IndyCar in the same year. Simon Pagenaud brought home the open-wheel trophy in September, also in car No. 22. And the champagne corks certainly would be flying from Miami all the way to Detroit, as Penske also is celebrating his 50th year in motor sports. How might the team enjoy its victory spoils? A trip to Steak 'n Shake can't be far behind the checkered flag.
Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports
By now, everyone is keenly aware of the number seven and what it means to Johnson, the No. 48 team and the history books. But did you know if Johnson wins Sunday, he will reach seven championships faster than Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr.? Petty's titles span 16 seasons and Earnhardt's 15. Johnson would accomplish the feat in just 11.
A look at their winning years:
Petty - 1964, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979
Earnhardt - 1980, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994
Johnson - 2006-10, 2013
Carl Edwards, No. 19 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing
Edwards has been here before. He was runner-up for the title in 2008 and again in 2011. The title race five years ago was epic. Edwards entered Homestead with a three-point lead on Tony Stewart. But Stewart had reeled off all four of his wins that season in the Chase, cutting into Edwards' lead. The finale boasted some of the best pure racing seen during the Chase, a rain delay and a key piece of debris - which punched a hole in Stewart's radiator, usually enough to park a car. But Stewart raced on and passed Edwards to win the race and his third title, on a tie-breaker (he had five wins to Edwards' one). Now, Edwards has another chance to hoist his first Cup in Stewart's final race at NASCAR's highest level.
Kyle Busch, No. 18 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing
It would be difficult for Busch to top his stunning comeback from serious injuries suffered in a crash in the season opening Xfinity Series race last year to win his first championship. But he could become the first driver to repeat in this new, elimination-style format. He also would be the first to repeat since that guy named Johnson - in 2009-10. As an added bonus, he would give team owner Joe Gibbs his fifth Cup championship. That's two more than his three Super Bowl titles.
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