Jimmie Johnson won the final round of the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Miami-Homestead Sunday night, locking down his seventh career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. Johnson is now tied with NASCAR greats Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most NASCAR championships won by a single driver.
Johnson took the win despite having to start from the back of the grid due to unapproved last-minute changes to the No. 48 Chevrolet. The newly christened ‘Seven Time’ led just three laps – taking the lead after a late-race wreck that took out fellow championship contender Carl Edwards.
The restart came with just 10 laps left to go. Edwards, who led a total of 47 laps, was lined up on the front row on the inside lane, while Logano was in the second row on the inside. Logano got a strong start when the green came back out, forcing Edwards to block Logano. Logano’s Ford then got into the back of Edwards’ Toyota, spinning him and sending him hard into the SAFER-barrier lined inside wall.
The wreck collected multiple cars, but most importantly, it helped clear the way for Johnson to move into the lead. Johnson pulled out nearly half a second over Kyle Larson following the ensuing restart, crossing the finish line .466 seconds ahead of the Chip Ganassi Racing driver.
“Oh, my gosh, there is no, no way on earth,” Johnson said post-race. “Just beyond words. Just didn’t think the race was unfolding for us like we needed to be the champs, but we just kept our heads in the game. Chad called a great strategy, made some great adjustments for the short runs.
“Luck came our way and we were able to win the race and win the championship. So grateful for the opportunity, and so thankful and blessed. I am at a loss for words.”
Pole-sitter Kevin Harvick, who took more top tens than any other driver this season, crossed the finish line third. Logano was fourth, while Jamie McMurray rounded out the top five. Click here for full results from Miami-Homestead.
Comments
Sorry, Logano was hosed by the >”national association of stock car agenda rule” makers.
He should have had the lead after Edwards pulled his stunt, Logano was penalized for race for the “championship win” which is what the whole chase format is supposed to create isn’t it?
I guess >”NASCAR” needs it’s big story to go along with MLB with the Cubs, the NFL with Manning as well as the NBA with Labron James.
After all, the whole chase format was set up to keep the audience up once those other sports seasons started, because by then some one would already have a pretty good points lead right?
Hadn’t watched a cup race in a long time, don’t agree with the postpseason in racing thing, just happened to be at the VFW for there >nascar fund raising party. Donated a few thing.
So >nascar has its big story now, good for them!
Just my 2 cent’s worth
Maybe they should rename this race the “Ford Chevyboost 400” since Chevy not only won but also placed another three cars in the first top-five………
Seven-time champ? If you say so. But comparing Jimmie Johnson’s Chase Championships to Dale Earnhardt’s or Petty’s? Not cool.
The formats are completely different. Johnson’s championships–over a ten race “season”–where one race decides everything? Whoopdeedoo. Prior championships were hard fought, grueling affairs. This stuff today? This manufactured drama, drama, drama nonsense? Who cares!
The Chase format is just one of many reasons why that sport has zero credibility and zero relevance.
You have some good points Fastyle, but I disagree about Logano deserving the lead at the end. Yeah, he had a fast car that could have pulled it off. But circumstances ended his run.. And racing’s never been exactly a fair sport. Certainly not now with this stupid Chase stuff.
Logano was in second place behind Edwards who caused his own fate after less then one turn on that (restart), Logano should have inherited the lead on the following restart.
In the past the running order reverted back to the previous before the caution flew, the field had yet to clear the starting line.
Revert to previous running order! Only the executive order superceded.
Coming to a caution flag is different than once the green has waved.
Green is green, regardless of where you are on the track or what happens after a restart.. There are no do-overs if you happen to have a bad restart and the caution comes out because of it.
As far as Johnson goes, he won championships under different rules packages. Not his fault, he won never the less. The Chase is stupid. Makes the rest of the season almost meaningless. Champion should be the beast car/driver over the WHOLE season. Dale Sr. won his championships with least amount of races of the three.