Johnson on the doorstep of history

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 28, 2008) — Reigning and two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson’s (No. 48 Lowe’s/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet) is in familiar territory as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series prepares for Sunday’s Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

He’s out front, leading the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings by 183 points over second-place Carl Edwards (No. 99 Office Depot Ford) and 185 over third-place Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford). And once again, Johnson heads to a track where he won during last year’s remarkable, late Chase run.

In 2007, Johnson won four of the final five races to clinch his second series title. He didn’t win last week at Atlanta, but he rallied from early trouble to finish second behind Edwards, the winner.

Now, he approaches the fall event at Texas with similar confidence, thanks in part to excellent pre-race Loop Data statistics.

Johnson is tied with two-time series champion Tony Stewart (No. 20 Home Depot Toyota) for the top pre-race Driver Rating (107.9). His average finish of 9.2 is second-best.

Certainly, much racing remains. Johnson must average a ninth-place finish over the final three races — at Texas, Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway — to clinch a third consecutive series title.

“I’m living inside my own head,” Johnson said. “I feel very good about where we’re at and I’m trying hard not to pay attention to outside opinions and what’s really going on out there. So, I’m just keeping my head down and staying focused on the things I can control.”