Posted on by Staff Report

RELATED: Busch reflects on late pit call

Kyle Busch‘s Chase chances seemed to take a slight hit following an unscheduled Lap 137 pit stop, but a caution on Lap 170 helped the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing team avoid disaster.

The defending Sprint Cup champion wheeled his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota to pit road thinking he had a right-front flat tire.

He left the track fifth and exited pit road a lap down.

No. 18 crew chief Adam Stevens told Busch, once back on the track, “there was nothing wrong with that tire.”

Busch regained his lap later after the leaders went to pit, but the No. 18 car was off cycle and likely to go a lap down on his next pit stop.

However, a caution flag thrown for debris on Lap 170 meant Busch could join the leaders and come to pit road and remain on the lead lap, keeping alive his chance for a second straight title.

Posted on by Staff Report

RELATED: Miami results | Final standings | Chase Grid
SHOP: Johnson championship gear

Jimmie Johnson earned the new nickname “Seven-Time” after winning the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, which also earned him the 2016 Sprint Cup Series championship — the seventh of his career. This came after a rough start to the day when Johnson was forced to start from the rear after unapproved adjustments to his car before the race.

 

Johnson’s seventh championship ties him with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most all time.

 

“You’re a good man, you’re a great champion, and now you’re a seven-time champion,” crew chief Chad Knaus radioed to Johnson, who grabbed the lead from Kyle Larson through Turns 1 and 2 during the first and only attempt at a two-lap overtime.

 

Although his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet was not the fastest out of the Championship 4 contenders throughout much of the race, a late-race restart put him back in contention. He led for only the final three circuits — earning him his first win at the 1.5-mile track and career win No. 80.

 

Johnson pulled away to win by .466 seconds ahead of Kyle Larson. Polesitter Kevin Harvick ran third, followed by Championship 4 contender Joey Logano, who finished second in the final standings on the strength of his fourth-place run.
 
“Oh, my gosh, there is no, no way on earth,” said Johnson, who picked up his first victory at Homestead, his fifth of the season and the 80th of his career. “Just beyond words. Just didn’t think the race was unfolding for us like we needed to be the champs, but we just kept our heads in the game. Chad called a great strategy, made some great adjustments for the short runs.
 
“Luck came our way and we were able to win the race and win the championship. So grateful for the opportunity, and so thankful and blessed. I am at a loss for words.”

 

Jamie McMurray rounded out the top five, finishing behind Logano. Defending series champ Kyle Busch ended the day sixth and third on the Chase Grid.

 

Title hopes for the fourth title-contending driver Carl Edwards were destroyed following a Lap 257 restart that brought out the “Big One” — and red flag. 

MORE: Edwards, Logano involved in ‘Big One‘

 

Edwards, who seemed likely for the championship after leading 47 laps, had to exit the race with 10 laps to go. He finished 34th and 11 laps down.

In the final full-time race of his decorated Sprint Cup Series career, Tony Stewart finished 22nd.

Posted on by Staff Report

RELATED: Stats breakdown reveals championship favorite

 

Carl Edwards: Went with the No. 19 as a championship pick on my pre-Chase grid, thinking the postseason schedule lined up favorably. The Championship 4 — especially this season — is a toss-up, but Edwards’ history at Homestead (two wins, two poles) may tip the scales. — Zack Albert

 

Joey Logano: The Team Penske driver has been loose and fast throughout the Chase and comes into this weekend’s race with much-needed final-round experience. Crew chief Todd Gordon is one of the best. — Kenny Bruce

 

Jimmie Johnson: Jimmie was my preseason pick to win his seventh championship, and I feel even better about the selection now. No one in his era is better at winning titles and he has shown the ability to do whatever is necessary at Homestead to secure the prized hardware. — Holly Cain

Jimmie Johnson: Now that Johnson has figured out how to outlast his competition in the new Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup format, don’t expect him to let a historic seventh championship slip from his grip. — Pat DeCola

 

Kyle Busch: The Joe Gibbs Racing driver enters with the least amount of pressure as the defending champion, and that should lead to a relaxing and celebration-filled weekend in Miami. — RJ Kraft

Joey Logano: Over the last four races he’s won twice, led for 302 laps and has finished no worse than ninth. To say he’s on fire is an understatement. — Maggie MacKenzie

 

Kyle Busch: Let’s not overthink this. The defending champion is back in the title race, as the best driver on the best team in NASCAR. He also has been the best driver in the Chase, with six top-five finishes through nine races. Busch repeats. — Brad Norman

 

Jimmie Johnson: Johnson & Co. showed speed in practice and fought through a tough qualifying session, proving they have the calm resilience — and long-run speed — needed to win the coveted title No. 7. — Jessica Ruffin

 

Carl Edwards: All the reminders of that tiebreaker loss in 2011 have stoked the fire of title desire. Edwards’ No. 19 has the speed, and we know JGR equipment is stout. A will and a way combine for a championship. — Kathy Sheldon

Carl Edwards: Sentimentally, I’d like to see him get redemption for 2011 and for Concrete Carl to cement a Hall of Fame-worthy career, but he’s also a good pick from a stats perspective. He has the best average finish at Homestead among the Championship 4 drivers and the most career wins there (two). — George Winkler

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RELATED: Find NBCSN in your area

 

All times ET

Monday, November 21
5:30 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1
7:30 p.m., NASCAR 120: Homestead, NBCSN

Tuesday, November 22
5:30 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1

Wednesday, November 23
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of the Year, FS1

Thursday, November 24
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of the Year, FS1

Sunday, November 27
8 p.m., NASCAR XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series Awards Show (taped), NBCSN

 



Posted on by Staff Report

PREVIOUS TITLE STORIES: Johnson | Logano | Edwards


Editor’s Note: This is the fourth in a series of four stories examining why each driver could win the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

Kyle Busch will win the title because …


He’s done it before. It’s hard to replicate, let alone understand, the type of pressure these Championship 4 contenders will face this weekend in Miami. Thirty-five races down, and one to go. Win or go home.


Sure, Joey Logano has been in a championship race in this format before, but he didn’t win it. Kyle Busch has, and he did so last year on the heels of an opening-weekend wreck that resulted in a broken left leg and right foot.


“Rowdy” hasn’t won yet during this postseason, but don’t let that fool you. He’s had the best Chase among the final four drivers.


Take away the 30th-place finish at Talladega that came on a strategy play, and you’re looking at six top-five finishes and eight top-10 finishes in eight Chase races. His results during the Round of 8? Fifth at Martinsville, fifth at Texas, second at Phoenix.


The best driver of the postseason is also the hottest. When Sunday’s race is over, it’ll be Kyle Busch holding a large trophy skyward. Again.

Posted on by Staff Report

ALL TITLE STORIES: Johnson | Logano | Busch

 

Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series of four stories examining why each driver could win the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. Coming Thursday: Why Kyle Busch will win the 2016 championship

 

Carl Edwards will win the title because …

 

Homestead-Miami Speedway is his best track.

The hard(er) part is over — Edwards survived the first nine races of the Chase, outlasting 12 other drivers as the field was narrowed from 16 to our Championship 4. Now he just needs to come out on top at Homestead, and he’s the driver best positioned to do so, given his history at the 1.5-mile facility.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has a sterling 9.2 average finish with two wins at the track, and his 568 career laps led are tops among all active drivers, in the Championship 4 or otherwise.

His three 2016 wins are the most he’s had since his nine wins in 2008, a year in which he swept three of the last four to close it out, including a dominant Homestead win.

Oh, and remember how close he was to winning the title in 2011, matching eventual champion Tony Stewart on points only to lose via tiebreaker? There’s no way he lets this slip away from him again.

Posted on by Staff Report

ALL TITLE STORIES: Johnson | Edwards | Busch

 

Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of four stories examining why each driver could win the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. Coming Wednesday: Why Carl Edwards will win the 2016 championship

 

Joey Logano will win the title because …

 

He has proven to be the best driver in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup format that debuted in 2014 and has a knack for performing when it’s all on the line — plus he’s got all the momentum in the world after a thrilling victory at Phoenix to clinch his berth.

Over the past three seasons, Logano’s seven wins in 29 Chase races tops all drivers.

“I know we can do it,” Logano said after his victory in the desert. “I don’t feel like it’s a long shot like it was last time. It was my first time there, (and I was thinking) ‘I’m racing for a championship, oh, my God, what’s going to happen?’ This time I feel like we’ve been here before.”

A quick glance at Logano’s Homestead numbers (17.7 average finish) will lead you to believe he might not be the favorite, but a closer look shows that he has a 9.3 average finish since he joined Team Penske in 2013.

That figure is just slightly off Jimmie Johnson‘s average finish of 9.0 for best among the remaining Chase drivers during that same period.

 

And if seven wins in 29 Chase races becomes 8-for-30?

 

That’d result in title No. 1.

Posted on by Staff Report

RELATED: Buy tickets for Homestead-Miami Championship Weekend

 

ALL TITLE STORIES: Logano | Edwards | Busch

 

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of four stories examining why each driver could win the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

Coming Tuesday: Why Joey Logano will win the 2016 championship

 

Jimmie Johnson will win the title because …

 

It’s time. The greatest driver of his generation, and perhaps of all time — he certainly belongs in the conversation — sits on the doorstep of history. A title Sunday at Miami would give him seven, tying the all-time mark with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.

RELATED: How Johnson won his six titles

 

Most didn’t think Jimmie would be here. He won twice early in the season, but his seemingly annual summer slump turned into a full-blown regular-season slump. His speed was off. Something was missing.

 

Months of work in the wind tunnel paid off in time for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The No. 48 has resumed its pace as a car at the front of the field. Winning at Charlotte Motor Speedway to open the Round of 12 ensured, for the first time in three years, that Johnson would be in the Round of 8.

 

Winning at Martinsville in the Round of 8 opener then ensured the team an extra two full weeks to think through its Homestead car, setup and strategy. Think about that. Crew chief Chad Knaus, one of the most shrewd men in the garage, has had more time than any of the other championship drivers to strategize.

 

Can you really bet against them?

Posted on by Zack Albert

RELATED: Full race results | Final standings


HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Kyle Busch‘s dream of becoming a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion became reality last year. This season, the difficulty of repeating at the sport’s highest level hit home.


After a late succession of restarts and a shuffle of pit strategies, Busch wound up sixth in Sunday’s season-ending Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, five positions behind newly crowned seven-time champ Jimmie Johnson. It was the culmination of an eventful 268 laps that required a rally from an unscheduled mid-race pit stop and an 11th-hour visit to pit road in a last-ditch effort to gain ground.


“You just keep going through what’s going on and make the most of your opportunities,” Busch said post-race. “We did that. We did that all year long. We did the right things sometimes and here tonight we felt like we were kind of behind the eight ball a few times, and then it looked like it would be ours to lose and somehow we just weren’t able to execute there and do a good enough job at the end.”

Busch led just one of the 268 laps, but spent much of the early stages among the top five. A tire issue forced him to pit road on the 137th circuit, knocking him one lap down and to 21st in the running order. The unscheduled stop left him out of the front-runners’ pit sequence, but he was able regain his lead-lap standing when a fortuitous third caution flag flew 34 laps later.


Busch remained in contention until a rash of late yellows scrambled the order. Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Carl Edwards crashed out of contention 11 laps from the end, and the rapid-fire restarts that followed presented an opportunity for Busch’s crew chief, Adam Stevens, to shake up the strategy.

RELATED: Edwards, Logano reflect on late-race contact, wreck

After restarting third in the inside lane with little benefit, Busch’s No. 18 Toyota pitted out of fifth place ahead of the deciding overtime restart, placing him 13th but with fresher tires for the final shootout.


“Once we restarted third on the bottom and didn’t get a good restart and lost that ground, we were going to be sixth or fifth, three rows back, and we weren’t going to be able to do anything from there,” Stevens explained. “We knew we were going to give up some track position, but we weren’t going to make up any ground from where we were at.”


Busch bypassed seven cars in the final two laps, but a repeat of his title-clinching victory on the 1.5-mile track was not in the offing. The team’s consolation was wrapping a productive four-win season with a playoff run built on remarkable consistency.


“It’s been kind of an odd race, a kind of a microcosm of our odd season, I guess,” Stevens said. “I’m proud of the effort, proud of Kyle and just didn’t have the best car tonight, but still found ourselves with a chance and then all hell broke loose. So yeah, you’ll have that.”

Posted on by Zack Albert

RELATED: Full race results | Final standings

MORE: Edwards, Logano tangle with 10 to go

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Carl Edwards‘ 2016 season and his chance at championship redemption ended with a walk instead of a drive.

After emerging from the heavy wreck that left his Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 Toyota backward and crumpled against the Turn 1 wall, Edwards — physically unhurt but smarting instead with disappointment — eschewed the customary ambulance ride to the infield care center for a purposeful jaunt back toward pit road.

“I had a lot of thoughts on that walk,” Edwards said, his title hopes dashed. “That was — just it’s hard to — you put so much into this and so many people push so hard and you don’t get opportunities like this very often, so I just hope that pretty quickly I can get over the frustration and look at this for what it is.”

WATCH: Edwards: ‘That’s just racing‘

A dicey restart on the 257th of 268 laps of Sunday’s season-ending Ford EcoBoost 400 denied breakthrough championships for both Edwards and Joey Logano at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Contact with Logano’s Team Penske No. 22 Ford sent Edwards’ car hard into the inside wall, triggering a major pileup that left Edwards with a 34th-place result. Logano continued on with slight damage and wound up fourth, the top Chase driver behind race winner and newly crowned seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson.



Edwards had restarted second alongside race leader Kyle Larson with Logano lined up third behind him. When Logano pointed his car to the inside lane, Edwards moved to block his advances, both cars dipping toward the track apron. Neither driver budged, and Edwards’ car took the brunt of their coming-together.



Edwards dismounted and walked. His first stop along the path was a visit to the No. 22 pit box to offer his side of the incident to Todd Gordon, Logano’s crew chief. Gordon said he had been tipped off by team owner Roger Penske that Edwards’ intentions were amicable. After their brief discussion, the veteran crew chief said his estimation of Edwards had only grown.

“That’s a stand-up guy right there,” Gordon said. “That’s a stand-up, hard-bones racer. Came up, shook my hand and said, ‘You know what, guys. That’s hard racing. I didn’t realize he was that far inside of me,’ and he told me, ‘with your short-run speed, I needed to block.’ So he said race hard, and that’s just a stand-up guy. I’ve earned a lot of respect for Carl today. I respect him a lot, but I don’t know that there’s many guys who would do that.”



Said Edwards: “I just wanted to make sure that they knew and they could tell Joey — I don’t know if Joey cares or not; I assume he does — but I just wanted to make sure he knew that was just racing in my opinion and that’s hard racing and I wished them luck.”

Logano fell to eighth after his run-in with Edwards, lost no additional ground in a pit stop, but was unable to overtake Johnson’s surge on the two restarts that followed. He also chalked up his fateful contest with Edwards to the heat of competition, saying that he appreciated his gesture to talk with his No. 22 pit crew.



“Carl’s a hard racer and he knows what we’re racing for and knows why we do that,” said Logano, who also fell short in the Championship 4 finale two years ago. “I’d like to talk to him personally because I think it’s cool that he understands it. I mean, it hurt both of us, right? It wasn’t like I was trying to spin him out. I was underneath him and we were just chasing him down the race track. I don’t blame him for running the block. That’s for the championship. Just didn’t make it happen.”



Edwards led 47 laps in what represented his best chance to win a NASCAR premier series title since his 2011 loss on a tiebreaker to Tony Stewart, who retired from full-time competition after Sunday’s 400-miler. Instead of punctuating his journey through the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoffs this year with his patented backflip celebration, Edwards spent much of the late-race red flag by sheepishly grinning through interviews and then shaking hands with crew chief Dave Rogers and the rest of his No. 19 crew as he headed into the offseason.



The walk wasn’t the winning drive that Edwards wanted, but Rogers said his team had nothing to lament.



“I thought that we played the game like a champion would play it,” Rogers said. “We set our goal to go home with no regrets, and we’re going home with no regrets. That goal’s accomplished. We’re going home a little short of the championship, but I think they knew we were here tonight.”