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Johnson's Rivals Not Conceding

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By JENNA FRYER

The Associated Press

Published: October 26, 2008

HAMPTON, Ga. - Credit Greg Biffle and Jeff Burton for their confidence.

Although Jimmie Johnson is turning the Sprint Cup title chase into a rout, neither driver is conceding anything to the two-time defending champion.

"I promise you, it's not over," Biffle said.

But it sure seems that way, as Johnson has steadily pulled away from the competition. He heads into today's race at Atlanta Motor Speedway up 149 points over Biffle, while Burton is 152 points out with four races left.

A driver can make up 161 points in a single event, assuming he leads the most laps en route to victory and the leader finishes last. But that's fairly unlikely to happen to Johnson and his Hendrick Motorsports crew: The No. 48 team has won 13 of the 46 Chase races since the format was introduced in 2004.

Barring a complete collapse - and Johnson and his crew are far too prepared for that to happen - he'll have this title wrapped up well before the Nov. 16 season finale at Homestead. History is on his side, too: No driver has come back from a deficit greater than 144 with four races to go.

Johnson isn't claiming the Sprint Cup just yet, either, and he is keeping a close eye on the challengers. He's most worried about Carl Edwards, a six-race winner during the "regular season" who slipped to fourth in the standings after mechanical problems in Round 5 of the Chase.

"If we have a 43rd-place finish, it would probably allow more than just Carl in, but for whatever reason, my eyes have kind of stopped there at Carl," Johnson said. "I try to look at the worst-case scenario, and if we leave here with 43rd-place points, who has a shot and who is very good at the tracks that are coming up.

"That way I can look forward to what my team needs to do, what I need to do in the seat. Stay focused on positive things and things that put a smile on my face instead of worrying about a negative side to it."

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