Johnson, team eye fourth Cup championship

After winning three Cup titles in a row, Jimmie Johnson is ready to chase after another. 'We want four. Why not?' crew chief Chad Knaus said.

By Sarah Rothschild

The Miami Herald

Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008

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Every time Jimmie Johnson is asked about where he ranks among NASCAR's all-time greats, he gets uncomfortable and finds a way to dodge the question.

Why?

Johnson is not interested in discussing his place in the sport because he believes he is not done. Nowhere near done winning championships.

Now that he tied Cale Yarborough on Sunday and became the second driver in NASCAR history to capture three Cup titles in a row, the biggest question in 2009 will be whether Johnson can win a record-breaking fourth consecutive championship.

''We want four. Why not?'' Johnson's crew chief, Chad Knaus said. ``That's why we're here. We think with the team that we've got, the resources that we've got, we can definitely go and bid for four championships in a row. Why wouldn't we?''

Johnson said he would be ''drooling'' in the offseason about continuing his reign. Knaus vowed Sunday night that if he had to start working at 8 a.m. on Monday for next season, he would. Johnson said if next season started next week, he would be ready to contend for another title.

Johnson's main rival might be the only other driver with a mathematical shot at the title entering the season finale. Carl Edwards finished runner-up, 69 points behind Johnson, despite winning a series-high nine races. Edwards won the Ford 400 finale and was gracious about falling short. He is determined to end Johnson's streak, though, telling the reigning champion's owner Rick Hendrick: ``It's going to be different next year.''

But several past champions said Johnson is next season's favorite.

''As long as there are no major changes, that will be the team to beat,'' said Darrell Waltrip, a three-time champion and Fox analyst. ``What happens is -- and I don't care who you are -- it's like a rock group. Some guy that is the lead singer, that writes all the songs and does all the work says: `I'm going on my own. I'm tired of this. These guys, all they are is a bunch of drummers and guitar players, and I'm the star.'

``As long as somebody on that team doesn't get that kind of attitude, they can go on forever.''

Johnson and Knaus began working together in 2002, Johnson's rookie season, and they never finished lower than fifth. Both want to remain together long-term. In 2005, Knaus and Johnson had a ''cookies and milk'' meeting with Hendrick, who thought the two would split up.

They had a love-hate relationship, and Hendrick thought that even if Knaus and Johnson made amends, that conflict would erupt again.

It hasn't, and that is one reason the No. 48 team has been so dominant.

''I hope there's nothing in the future that would separate them,'' Hendrick said Sunday night. ``I agree with Darrell: As long as they have this burning desire, with their talent, they'll be a force every single year.''

Johnson and Knaus vowed not to become complacent and said they are motivated by one thing: winning more races and championships.

Seven-time champion Richard Petty believes there are ''no signs'' that Johnson' can't achieve a four-peat. He even said five or six consecutive championships might be possible.

But Dale Jarrett, the 1999 Cup champion and now an ESPN analyst, sees challenges for Johnson's team. He said running for championships is mentally taxing. Jarrett is wary of Knaus, a workaholic, burning out and the team experiencing a letdown.

''What makes that group successful is they're together in this,'' Jarrett said. ``If there's a slip at all from one of them, that could keep it from happening.''

But Jarrett also said there is a ''very real possibility'' that, in about a year, the NASCAR talk will be about Johnson's bid for a fourth title.

Johnson said his team is more focused on continuing its success than with racing its way into the record books.

''It's not that we're a chasing a number,'' Johnson said.

Hendrick, a 25-year veteran of the sport, said he never has seen a team willing to sacrifice more.

''They want it so bad,'' said Hendrick, who has eight championships. ``Sometimes when guys get it one time or twice, they maybe back off a little bit. They've gotten there. [But] this just makes these guys even hungrier.''

Besides Edwards, Kyle Busch, an eight-race winner this season, could be Johnson's biggest challengers.

''Jimmie has the chance to make some real history next year,'' Edwards said. ``I would be glad to be the guy to deny him the chance.''

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