Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson have spent some quality time together recently. Credit: Autostock

Stewart gives Johnson championship advice

Defending champ tells current leader to have time to himself

AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Tony Stewart leaned against the back door of his hauler at Phoenix International Raceway late Sunday afternoon, relaxing after an uneventful 14th-place finish that ended his two-race winning streak.

A few doors down, the crew of Nextel Cup points leader Jimmie Johnson rushed to pack and head to next weekend's season-finale.

Kevin Harvick won his fifth race of the season on Sunday at Phoenix. Credit: Autostock

Checker Auto Parts 500 Official Results Pos. Driver Make 1. Kevin Harvick Chevy 2. Jimmie Johnson Chevy 3. Denny Hamlin Chevy 4. Jeff Gordon Chevy 5. Carl Edwards Ford 6. Mark Martin Ford 7. Kasey Kahne Dodge 8. Kurt Busch Dodge 9. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevy 10. Jeff Burton Chevy • Complete results, click here • Official standings, click here Chase for the Nextel Cup After Phoenix (9th of 10 races) Pos. +/- Driver Behind 1. -- J. Johnson Leader 2. -- M. Kenseth -63 3. +2 K. Harvick -90 4. -- D. Hamlin -90 5. -2 Earnhardt Jr. -115 6. -- J. Gordon -167 7. -- J. Burton -225 8. +1 M. Martin -273 9. +1 K. Kahne -319 10. -2 Ky. Busch -359 • Complete standings, click here Victory LaneKevin Harvick celebrates his Checker Auto Parts 500 win Top finishersKenseth and Johnson talk about their day at Phoenix Final lapsKevin Harvick holds off Jimmie Johnson for the win at Phoenix Out frontJimmie Johnson charges through the field to take the lead Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

They had a sense of urgency.

Stewart understood.

A year ago, the two-time champion was 52 points ahead of Johnson, 87 ahead of Carl Edwards and 102 ahead of Greg Biffle heading to the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

A finish of ninth or better would give him a second title if Johnson had won the finale and led the most laps. Stewart finished 15th, good enough to leave him 35 points ahead of race-winner Biffle and Edwards.

"I guarantee by the time he gets home tonight he'll know exactly where he has to be,'' Stewart said of Johnson, who has to finish at least 12th to claim his first title.

"For Jimmie, it's like he's reaching up into the sky and is a half an inch from grabbing a hold of what he wants.''

Stewart recently spent time with Johnson, sharing what he learned between winning his first title in 2002 and last year. He told Johnson to continue doing what he did to erase a 175-point deficit with five consecutive finishes of second or first.

He reminded him everybody is chasing him and to keep his schedule in check, not getting so busy that he doesn't have time for himself.

But most of all he told Johnson to have fun.

Johnson apparently listened, scheduling a round of golf for Monday.

"What we learned from the previous championships in IRL and USAC and all of these other things, you can literally drain yourself before you get to that point,'' Stewart said.

"The way to combat that is to go out and do your favorite thing and have fun and enjoy the time you have before you go down there.''

A year ago, Stewart flew from Phoenix to his childhood home in Columbus, Ind., where he has somewhat of a sense of sanctuary from the rest of the world. He rode his motorcycle and fished with his buddies.

He ate at his favorite restaurants, played with his dog and sat on his back deck.

He did everything but think about what was ahead of him.

"That's my favorite thing, to go home and be around my friends and property,'' Stewart said. "I did that until I absolutely had to leave to go to Florida.

Stewart, who missed this year's Chase by one spot, said the worst part of the week for Johnson will be Thursday and Friday when he's answering the same questions a thousands times.

"I just wanted to hyperspace all the way to Sunday,'' Stewart said. "We've got to have our own space. We're so susceptible to media and fans and everybody else.

"When you're in a championship deal like that you've got to set time aside or whatever to where you say this is my time, this is my time to do what I need to do.''

Stewart wasn't quite so relaxed before his first championship. The week prior to the finale was hectic and nerve-wracking.

He hopes sharing that experience with Johnson helped.

"When I got ready to leave I could tell he already was feeling better,'' Stewart said. "I think he'll be fine. He's in command.''