Johnson, Martin are more alike than they appear (cont'd)

Those similarities are not always easy to see, given the clear and obvious differences between the two drivers, but look hard enough and they become evident. Johnson was his usual talkative and accommodating self on Thursday, when NASCAR held its opening event of championship weekend at a Coral Gables hotel. Put him in a firesuit and a pair of sunglasses, though, and he becomes the very picture of focus. Martin's eyes burn with intensity, inside the car or out. Both seem to carry the slightest of chips, Johnson a desire to prove to all doubters that he is in every way deserving of the titles he's won, Martin a belief that he must simply outwork peers he views as more talented.

But in his teammate, Martin may have met his match. "I think Jimmie may have one-upped me just a tad, and I haven't seen much of that in my time," Martin said. "He may have even more of that. A lot of the success I've had in my career came because I think I worked harder, and wasn't because I was better. I believe Jimmie works harder at it than I do, and I'm working about as hard as I can."

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A lot of the success I've had in my career came because I think I worked harder, and wasn't because I was better. I believe Jimmie works harder at it than I do, and I'm working about as hard as I can.

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MARK MARTIN

Sunday night will likely provide another instance of separation, another of those moments when all Johnson's triumphs and all Martin's shortfalls appear in sharp contrast to one another. But until then, Johnson is doing all he can to avoid the presumption of history, going so far as to shun reports about the final race on television and in newspapers, working out like crazy to take his mind off the Chase endgame and help himself get some sleep. That fourth title seems inevitable to everyone but the three-time defending champion, who is taking nothing for granted, and on Thursday was so bunkered down mentally that he wasn't even sure of the length of the Homestead track.

"It's just another mile-and-a-half track, or two-mile. What is it? Something like that. Details," he said with a laugh.

And yet, the big-picture talk is out there, whether Johnson likes it or not. "They could win several more in a row," said Miami native and former NASCAR champion Bobby Allison, on hand for Thursday's event, in a reference to Johnson and his No. 48 team. This former off-road racer and virtual unknown from El Cajon, Calif., is on the verge of further distancing himself not only from Martin, but every other driver in NASCAR. One 25th-place run Sunday afternoon will cement Johnson's status as a legend well before his 40th birthday.

There are some, and rightfully so, who believe that Martin belongs in that class, too. After all, his 40 career victories, likely five runner-up finishes, and ability to remain competitive into his sixth decade more than speak for themselves. One of the few who would disagree with that? Martin himself.

"My record does not stand up against the greats in this business," he said flatly. "... I'm the worker. I'm the guy that rolls up my sleeves ... I work real hard and try to win the game, whatever it is, fair and square."

With that, Johnson had heard enough. With work still to be done this season, he wasn't ready to discuss his own place in history. But he was more than willing to vouch for his teammate's.

"He's too humble of a man, and doesn't understand what he's done in this sport, for this sport, how many young guys have respected what he's done," Johnson said. And then he turned and spoke to Martin directly.

"You mentioned earlier how we weren't around each other for me to look at your style and want to drive like you. But coming up through ASA, everybody knew who Mark Martin was. I aspired at that time to have people speak of me as they did you. When I came to race in the Busch Series at the time, you were wearing us all out week in and week out. That was our chance to race against Mark Martin and to learn something from him. So ... I'm sure to all of us in this room, you are one of the greatest. We all think the world of you and respect the hell out of you."

And with that, Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin have something else in common.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.

Also: Either way, Hendrick set to make history this weekend

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