Johnson ready for final round

Jimmie Johnson, during the last race of the season, in Miami, announced his decision to extend his contract with Hendrick Motorsports. Perfectly comfortable within this structure, the driver has won his three Sprint Cup Series titles there, and is on the verge of adding a fourth crown to his list of achievements. Since you don't change a winning team, Hendrick and Johnson decided to continue the adventure until 2015.

This Friday, Jimmie Johnson showed once again that he was above the rest. For the last meeting of the season, the No. 48 gleaned his fourth pole position of his season, the 23rd of his career. Johnson is placed in ideal conditions to conquer a fourth title on Sunday.

« We did an incredible job today, declared Johnson after qualifying. I feel like the start will go well. » The start will indeed be important, for a driver who could lose the benefit of an entire season by making a mistake in the first laps, as he did in Texas.

« Obviously you don't want to be the guy who pulls out #48 », Comments Scott Speed, second in qualifying and aware of being able to thwart Johnson's quest for a fourth title. “ It?s not flattering on the CV. You take up the challenge, you give it as much as you can but you don't take it out. » Jimmie Johnson should therefore not be the victim of clumsy attacks on the first lap, even if nothing guarantees the Hendrick Motorsports driver a peaceful race.

« I'm not really worried, adds Johnson. But since Texas (through in the 3rd round), I know that nothing is ever certain. However, I am happy to hear Scott (Speed, 2nd) and Marcos (Ambrose, 3rd) recognize what is at stake here. They both drove with the goal of winning championships. They know what it’s like to go to a final race and want space. »

If Jimmie Johnson is well placed for a fourth title, he just needs to finish in the top 25 to ensure it, even if Mark Martin, his closest rival, wins.