Category Archives: Sprint Cup Series

Jimmie Johnson Wins at Homestead to Claim Record-Tying Seventh Title

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Call him Seven-Time.

Jimmie Johnson joined NASCAR’s most exclusive club on Sunday, winning the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway to claim his seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, putting the driver of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet on par with icons Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.

“You’re a good man, you’re a great champion, and now you’re a seven-time champion,” crew chief Chad Knaus radioed to Johnson, who grabbed the lead from Kyle Larson through turns one and two during the first and only attempt at a two-lap overtime.

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Edwards’ Championship Dreams End Following Restart Wreck

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HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 20: Carl Edwards, driver of the #19 ARRIS Toyota, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images

HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 20: Carl Edwards, driver of the #19 ARRIS Toyota, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images

In his rear-view mirror, Carl Edwards saw his shot at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship dissolving.

On a restart with ten laps to go in the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, with the title on the line, Joey Logano shot deep to the inside in an attempt to pass Edwards for the lead among the championship contenders. Edwards reacted quickly and decisively, turning his car to the left in an attempt to block Logano.

Logano didn’t lift, and chaos ensued. Continue reading →

Jimmie Johnson Wins Historic Seventh Sprint Cup Title, Joining Petty and Earnhardt

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Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship trophy in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. Photo - Sarah Crabill/Getty Images

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, celebrates with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship trophy in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. Photo – Sarah Crabill/Getty Images

The celebration in Victory Lane at Homestead Miami Speedway continued well after the checkered flag fell in the Ford EcoBoost 400 on Sunday night when Jimmie Johnson won his seventh Sprint Cup title, making history and joining the élite group of NASCAR drivers Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt to ever reach that level in their careers.

Dale Earnhardt Jr, along with many other drivers met Johnson in Victory Lane to give their congratulations, while Earnhardt also tweeted the following sentiment…

Richard Petty also shard his statement from Richard Petty Motorsports to celebrate the moment…

“Records are a mark and they set something for everyone to shoot at.  Jimmie and his team have done that tonight. They set a goal to get where they are and circumstances and fate made it a reality.  They did what they needed to do and now they are at seven championships. Congratulations to him and his team.
“Jimmie is a great champion and this is really good for our sport.”

So while Johnson and his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team enjoy their accomplishment, it leaves all to wonder, what’s next?  The answer is simple. The next logical step for Jimmie Johnson is to now chase an unprecedented eighth Sprint Cup title.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Closes Season by Crowning a Champion at Homestead

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The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season comes to a close at Homestead Miami Speedway with the Ford EcoBoost 400 on Sunday, November 20th at 2:30 pm ET. When the checkered flag waves, the championship title will be known. Television coverage begins at 2 pm ET on NBC with radio coverage on MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90. 

 

Home Sweet Homestead

Homestead-Miami Speedway has become dear to the hearts of several champions who were crowned at the 1.5-mile track.  In fact, over the past half dozen years the championship has been decided under the South Florida sun. Here’s a look at some recent memorable title performances: Continue reading →

NASCAR Chairman Brian France Lauds Diversity Initiatives, New Chase Formats

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CEO and Chairman of NASCAR Brian France addresses the media prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Photo - Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

CEO and Chairman of NASCAR Brian France addresses the media prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

The significant milestone achieved by Daniel Suárez in Saturday’s Ford EcoBoost 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway was not lost on NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France.

Suárez, from Monterrey, Mexico, became the first driver born outside the United States to win a championship in one of NASCAR’s top three national series when he took the checkered flag at the 1.5-mile track.

But for the NASCAR initiatives embodied in the Drive for Diversity program, France pointed out, Suárez likely would not have been in position to claim the NASCAR XFINITY Series title at all. Continue reading →