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Edwards: Johnson Hasn't Won It Yet

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By TONY FABRIZIO

afabrizio@tampatrib.com

Published: November 15, 2008

HOMESTEAD - Across from Carl Edwards, media types asked Dale Jarrett if he thought Jimmie Johnson could win four, five, even six consecutive championships.

Never mind that Edwards still has a chance to keep Johnson from winning his third in a row Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It's a slim chance for sure - Johnson has to finish worse than 36th and Edwards may have to win the Ford 400 - but maybe not as slim as portrayed.

"People can say whatever they want, but until it's done, it's just speculation," Edwards said. "That first lap, something could happen to change the whole face of this thing. That's how racing is."

Johnson probably has to suffer a mechanical failure or get caught in a wreck, but those things happen every week in NASCAR.

Edwards can win the title only if he wins the race, finishes second and leads at least one lap or finishes third and leads the most laps. But a victory would hardly be a shock, since Edwards has won eight times in 2008 and Roush-Fenway Racing has won four in a row at Homestead.

"They are a very well-rounded team that we know we are going to have our hands full with," Johnson said. "This year has worked out a little better for us so far."

Edwards has more wins than Johnson (eight to seven), more top-five finishes (18 to 15) and more top-10 finishes (26 to 22), and he has earned more money ($7.7 million to $7.2 million). His points deficit is largely the result of a fluke ignition box failure last month at Charlotte.

"The thing I'm impressed with about the No. 99 team is how they show up regardless of the racetrack," Johnson said.

Reporter Tony Fabrizio can be reached at (813) 259-7994.

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