AVONDALE, Ariz. -- How things have changed in five days for Jimmie Johnson. The flat, scrubby landscape of North Texas has given way to the stark, ochre slopes of the Estrella Mountains. A big, fast, cookie-cutter of a tri-oval has given way to a quirky 1-mile track. And all the frustration and insecurity of last Sunday evening have given way to the cool, calm confidence this driver and his team are renowned for.

The Sprint Cup tour is out West again this weekend, and just in time for a driver who feels as at home here as in the cockpit of his No. 48 car. Phoenix International Raceway is Jimmie Johnson country, and in more ways than one. He's more popular out here, given his roots in nearby Southern California. He once jounced across the desert as an off-road racer. And he's near-flawless on a racetrack where he's never failed to complete a competitive lap. No wonder he sounds like a man ready to shake off Carl Edwards and put a ribbon on his third consecutive championship in NASCAR's premier series.

"We're showing up, and we want the trophy," Johnson said Friday. "We know what the points breaks are, we know what we need to do. Our first goal would be to leave here and not have to worry about racing at Homestead. Will that happen? Probably not. Carl is going to be strong here. But if I can keep the points where they are, take the trophy home, we're in great shape."

Johnson holds a 106-point lead on Edwards with two events remaining, Sunday's race at Phoenix and next weekend's finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Five days ago it seemed that Edwards had seized momentum, winning at Texas Motor Speedway while Johnson finished an uncharacteristic 15th, and cutting 77 points off the lead. Now, the clear desert air brings a clearer perspective -- Johnson can win the title outright by averaging a seventh-place finish in his last two events. He can clinch Sunday if he gains 90 points on Edwards (the difference between first place and 23rd) and 52 on third-place driver Greg Biffle. He's won the last two races at Phoenix, finished outside the top 10 just twice in 10 career starts, and has completed all 3,123 laps contested here in that same span.

That kind of track record instills confidence. Two years ago Johnson came to Phoenix 17 points ahead of Matt Kenseth. Last year he arrived 30 points ahead of Jeff Gordon. In neither case was his lead ever threatened. Now, his advantage over Edwards is three times as big. (Continued)