NASCAR Checker O'Reilly 500 Notes 'n' Quotes

POSTRACE RAIL

Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500

Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale, Ariz.

All over but the crying – Jimmie Johnson virtually locked up a record-setting fourth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championship with a dominating victory in the season’s penultimate race.

Ought to be able to manage: Johnson needs only finish 25^th to win the championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He won’t need to finish that high unless his closest pursuer, Mark Martin, wins.

Some suspects usual, some not – The top 10 had six drivers who are in the Chase (as if there were one at this point): Johnson, Denny Hamlin (third), Mark Martin (fourth), Kurt Busch (sixth), Juan Pablo Montoya (eighth) and Jeff Gordon (ninth). Outside the Chase, Jeff Burton was best in class (second), and the others were Martin Truex Jr. (fifth), Clint Bowyer (seventh) and David Reutimann (10^th).

Notable numbers

.162 – Johnson’s career winning percentage.

47 – Johnson’s career victories, 13^th best in NASCAR history, one ahead of Buck Baker, one behind Herb Thomas.

108 – Johnson’s almost insurmountable point lead.

238 – Laps led by the winner.

Quotable quotes

“We’re working hard. We’re getting there. We’re not 100 percent there, but we’re gaining.” – Jeff Burton.

“Track position meant so much. You’ve got to push when you can. I got within a car length of him, but I used up my stuff getting there.” – Denny Hamlin.

“Phoenix is one of my favorite tracks, and I really expected to have a good day. It’s been a tough year, but they did a great job today.” – Martin Truex Jr.

“This was kind of a butt kicking, and I’m so thankful to Chad and the guys for giving me a car like this.” – Jimmie Johnson.