Martin in Johnson's way, Vickers says
Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009
Mark Martin (5) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) at Kansas Speedway on Oct. 4, 2009. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)
AP
Driver Mark Martin talks to reporters before practice for the NASCAR Pepsi 500 auto race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., Friday, Oct. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
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DOVER, DE - SEPTEMBER 26: Brian Vickers, driver of the #83 Red Bull Toyota sits in his car during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway on September 26, 2009 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
Getty Images for NASCAR
FONTANA, CA - OCTOBER 11: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, performs a burnout to celebrate winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on October 11, 2009 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Getty Images for NASCAR
FONTANA, CA - OCTOBER 10: Mark Martin, driver of the #5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevrolet, climbs into his car during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on October 10, 2009 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)
CONCORD, N.C. – Many in NASCAR believe Jimmie Johnson is already well on his way to a record fourth consecutive Cup championship.
Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon a sounded as if he'd bet on it after Johnson's runaway victory last weekend at Fontana, Calif.
"What else can you say? They are the best out there," said Gordon. "Really, unless they make a mistake, I don't see how they lose it."
But Brian Vickers, who made the 10-race Chase for the first time this season, said Friday that his money is on Mark Martin.
"Most guys that make it that long or are still here this long have won championships and they're just kind of burned out," Vickers said. "They've accomplished their goals, they're done and moving on.
"Mark is really, really hungry," said Vickers, who has fallen out of contention for the title. "I think Jimmie is going to have a fight on his hands."
Vickers, who was a teammate of Johnson's at Hendrick before moving to Red Bull Racing, doesn't think Johnson's fourth championship in a row is a "given."
"If that was the case, they would just go ahead and hand them the trophy," he said.
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