Cross' Words: Phoenix

The season has come down to the final 267 laps. It's man and machine vs. man and machine for two drivers -- Jimmie Johnson, seeking consecutive Cup Series championships, and Jeff Gordon, in hot pursuit of his fifth series title.

The Cliff's Notes version of the Countdown to Coronation for Johnson:

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JJ clinches ...
• 18th place or better, even if Jeff Gordon wins and leads the most laps
• 19th place or better if he leads one lap
• 21st place or better if he leads the most laps

Sounds like NASCAR should just hand Johnson the title, after all the No. 48 has finished worse than 18th only seven times this season. He's also finished 19th once and 21st once.

But there is hope for Gordon:

6 -- Times Johnson and Gordon have raced at Homestead against each other.

1 -- Times Gordon has out-pointed Johnson by 87 or more points at Homestead (100 points in 2005).

4 -- Times this year Gordon has out-pointed Johnson by 87 or more points:
• Daytona on Feb. 18 -- 88 points
• Texas on April 15 -- 121 points
• Pocono on June 10 -- 153 points
• Indianapolis on July 29 -- 119 points

Certainly it ain't over 'til it's over, but there's a fat lady sitting right over there who's ready to take the stage.

Nonetheless, I'm sticking with Gordon (hey, Clint Bowyer's eliminated). Even after four consecutive victories, Johnson's average finish in the Chase is 4.7. Gordon's is 5.2. That adds up to 86 points? A 0.5 difference, in nine races, equates to 9.5 points per finish?

Again, it's the point system that needs to be tweaked. That's all I'm saying ...

Did you know

Of the 17 modern-era Cup Series champions that 10 were born on race weeks? Five were born before the series began and two were born in the offseason. (Continued)