Crew Chief Chad Knaus is an Integral Part of Jimmie Johnson’s Record-Tying Effort

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, stands on the grid with Crew Chief Chad Knaus during pre-race ceremonies for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Photo - Jerry Markland/Getty Images

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, stands on the grid with Crew Chief Chad Knaus during pre-race ceremonies for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Photo – Jerry Markland/Getty Images

All Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus wanted was another shot, and when Dylan Lupton hit the turn two wall on lap 252 to bring out the fifth caution of Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400, Knaus clenched his fist in anticipation.

At the time, Johnson was running sixth, trailing the three Championship 4 drivers—Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards—he needed to beat to claim a record-tying seventh title. But the caution with 15 laps left in the scheduled distance breathed life into the No. 48 team.

Three restarts later, Johnson passed Kyle Larson for the victory and earned his seventh championship, tying NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the series record. Continue reading

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

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

Hamlin Wins at Richmond, as Two Rookies Advance to the Chase

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Denny Hamlin won a wild race at his home track, and the top-four Chase hopefuls entering Saturday night’s Federated Auto Parts 400 all held serve at Richmond International Raceway in an event that ended in overtime after a record 16 cautions.

Jamie McMurray locked up a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup with a seventh-place finish, and Austin Dillon did likewise with a 13th-place run.

Sunoco rookies Chase Elliott and Chris Buescher both weathered some tense moments to qualify for NASCAR’s ten-race playoff, the first time two rookies have ever been included in the Chase field—and the first time any rookie has made the Chase since Hamlin accomplished the feat in 2006. Continue reading

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Toyota Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Preview

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In honor of Luke Wilson as honorary pace car driver for Sunday’s Toyota Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, this week’s Sprint Cup preview celebrates some of the top quotes and moments from Wilson’s hit comedy, ‘Old School.’ Check it out, and bring your green hat.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams return this week to race 218.9 miles in 110 laps on the road course of Sonoma Raceway in the Toyota Save Mart 350 on Sunday, June 26th. FOX Sports 1 will begin their coverage at 1:30 pm ET with a green flag around 3 pm ET. Radio coverage is available on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

We’re Going Racing! NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Returns after Off Weekend

After having the weekend off, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads west to Sonoma Raceway for its first road-course race of the season – Sunday’s Toyota / Save Mart 350.

Kyle Busch is the defending winner of the event that has had ten different drivers visit Victory Lane the last 11 years it’s been held: Kyle Busch in 2015, Carl Edwards in 2014, Martin Truex Jr. in 2013, Clint Bowyer in 2012, Kurt Busch in 2011, Jimmie Johnson in 2010, Kasey Kahne in 2009, Kyle Busch in 2008, Juan Pablo Montoya in 2007, Jeff Gordon in 2006 and Tony Stewart in 2005. Continue reading