Jimmie Johnson’s unrivaled string of five consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series titles befuddles all. Every year since Johnson matched Cale Yarborough’s record of three-straight titles, the question to start the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup has been: Can someone steal Johnson’s crown? The answer each time, of course, was no.
Again, the question is posed, this time with the meter inching toward the affirmative. Competitors know the task is tough. His statistics over the 70 Chase races easily rank atop each key list: 19 wins (more than the second and third-most combined), 40 top fives, 54 top 10s, 3,423 laps led, a Driver Rating of 110.1 and an Average Running Position of 9.9.
But optimism among his competitors remains this year – maybe more than prior seasons. A stout Chase field is one reason. A possible “down” regular season for Johnson is another.
Johnson enters this Chase with one victory, the fewest of any of his seven previous Chase appearances (he’s the only driver to make all eight Chases). Where 2011 ranks for Johnson in some other categories…
Top 5s: No dip. His 11 top fives are his third-highest total entering a Chase. Most was 15 in 2004.
Top 10s: His 17 top 10s are the second-highest total entering a Chase. Most was 18 in 2006, his first championship season.
Laps Led: Comparatively low. It’s the lowest total since 2006 (368) and the first time he did not crack 900 laps led in five years. Most was 1,252 in 2009.
Driver Rating: This might be the most glaring dip. Though solid, his 2011 Driver Rating of 95.4 is the lowest since 2005, the first season for the Loop Data statistics. His previous four regular seasons have all been at 103.9 or higher. Best was 110.3 in 2009.
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