Jimmie Johnson Wins 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship
Hendrick Motorsports Celebrates Record-Extending 11th Series Title
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 17, 2013)
– Jimmie Johnson took another step closer to stock car racing history
on Sunday, claiming his sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship at
Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway.
Johnson,
who entered the race with a 28-point lead over 2003 series champion
Matt Kenseth, finished ninth in the Ford EcoBoost 400, putting his final
margin over Kenseth at 19 points.
The
championship is a record-extending 11th in the series for Hendrick
Motorsports. Rick Hendrick’s organization also won four titles with Jeff
Gordon, co-owner of Johnson’s No. 48 Chevrolet, and one with Terry
Labonte. Johnson’s crew chief, Chad Knaus, has led the team to all six
titles.
The
38-year-old Johnson is one of three competitors to win six or more
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships. He trails only seven-time
champions and NASCAR Hall of Fame members Richard Petty and Dale
Earnhardt.
Johnson’s
five previous championships – all consecutive – came from 2006-2010. He
has finished first or second in eight of the 12 seasons in which he’s
been a full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competitor. His 66 victories
rank second among active drivers, behind only Hendrick Motorsports
teammate Gordon’s 88 wins.
Johnson’s
six championships have come in three distinctly different NASCAR Sprint
Cup cars – including the Gen-6 Chevrolet SS that debuted this season.
After
winning his second Daytona 500 to open the season, Johnson led the
series standings after all but three races during the NASCAR Sprint Cup
regular season. He entered the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup
as the No. 2 seed – behind Kenseth – with four victories. A dominant
victory on Nov. 3 at Texas Motor Speedway gave Johnson the Chase lead
for good.
In addition, Chevrolet won its 37th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series manufacturers’ championship.
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