Head2Head: 2009 champ?

Come Nov. 22, history will be made. Jimmie Johnson will stand alone as the only driver to win four consecutive Cup Series championships. If you're going to bet against the best driver/crew chief combo there is, you're throwing your money away.

Ever since Johnson's rookie season, he's been a title threat, finishing top five in the standings every year. Eight points was all that separated him from a championship in 2004; a cut tire at Homestead cost him in 2005. Matt Kenseth thinks the No. 48 team could be running down a sixth consecutive championship, not just a fourth.

"They could have won five [in a row] if [things] would have went a little better for them," he said.

You learn how to win championships after losing them. Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus have learned to the point of mastering it.

Carl Edwards is Johnson's biggest threat and I must admit, I like the respectful rivalry between the two. But how can one write off the three-time champ yet again?

We did it after he was caught in a wreck to kick off the 2006 Chase. We did it during Jeff Gordon's pristine 2007 season. We did it after the 48's slow start to the 2008 season. Each time he proved us wrong and won it all.

When will we learn not to overlook the 48 team? In this case, maybe the fourth time is the charm.

The safe bet for the 2009 title would be Jimmie Johnson -- until somebody beats him, why bet against him? But for JJ to play Connect Four and win it all again, I just don't see it happening.

So my pick is Carl Edwards. Cousin Carl has shown from the beginning he is ready to become a Cup champion -- this year it comes to fruition.

His nine wins last season were a career-high and led the series. On top of that he had 19 top-fives, 27 top-10s and an average finish of 9.5 -- all career-highs as well. But put the stats aside, because everyone knows Edwards is special behind the wheel.

The main reason 2009 will be the year of the No. 99 is because Edwards is now emotionally ready to take that step to superstardom.

To survive 36 races, a driver needs to be mentally stable. He can't go ballistic on a pit crew for a bad stop, or yell at the guys back at the shop because the engine blew. A driver has to realize there will be up and downs -- and Edwards is finally there.

Throw in a hungry owner in Jack Roush and one of the best crew chiefs in the garage with Bob Osborne and you have a combo on par with beer and beads in the 'Dega infield.

After this season, Carl will be a contender no more -- he will simply be a champion.