Is Johnson the Favorite Now?

Jimmie Johnson has come on strong the last few weeks and is now the number one seed heading into the first Chase race at Loudon this weekend.  I’ve said before that I believe Johnson’s team knows how to stretch the rules without getting caught and I’ll go as far to say that they have the ability to “turn it on” when they absolutely need to.  I have no idea how this happens, but I’m convinced they do it.

This makes Johnson a prohibitive favorite for sure.   And what about Jeff Gordon.  Let’s be honest about the 24-team as well.  Gordon won a couple of races that he had no business winning, which definitely helped his momentum in the early part of the year.  But I was skeptical of his team’s real ability even during his hot streak, and I see him fading fairly quickly during the Chase.

If anyone is going to give Johnson a run for the title, it’s going to be Tony Stewart.  He’s not afraid to take chances with a setup that may be too loose, as long as it gives him a chance to win. He’s also more hungry for the title than Gordon, and I think his drive alone will create some great racing.