Number four means something to top three

            FORT WORTH, Texas – With but three races remaining the Chase for the Sprint Cup, it’s all about the number four.

            And no, it’s not related to Morgan-McClure, the dormant team that still lays claim to car No. 4.

            Jimmie Johnson has a record 184-point cushion and is bidding to become the first driver ever to win four consecutive championship at NASCAR’s top level. The guy who’s second, Mark Martin, has finished second four times. Third-place Jeff Gordon has won four championships.

            Gordon has this bright spot. He won at Texas Motor Speedway earlier this year, and it’s his only victory of the season to date.

            Drought relief – By winning at Talladega, Jamie McMurray ended a personal streak of 86 races without a victory. The victory ended a 30-race lapse by Roush Fenway Racing. McMurray, who isn’t in the Chase, ended a streak of 23 Chase races being won by Chase drivers.

            Another driver outside the Chase, four-race winner Kyle Busch, will be racing at Texas Motor Speedway for the first time with Dave Rogers as his Cup crew chief. His most recent victory was nine races ago.

            Never imagined it – Jimmie Johnson, asked what other achievement in sports might be comparable to four straight NASCAR titles, said, “I’m not sure what I would compare it to, but I didn’t think it was possible.
            Oh, it’s possible.

            Busy lad – Kyle Busch has more than just a new crew to break in. There won’t be much time at Texas for high-level meetings.

            Busch is competing in all three major races. He’ll run the Camping World Truck Series race tonight and in the Nationwide Series on Saturday. Then maybe he’ll get around to the new crew chief in Sunday’s Dickies 500.

            Numbers – The season to date has produced 14 different race winners, 10 pole winners, 42 drivers who’ve led at least a lap, 35 with at least one top-10 finish and an average of 20 lead changes per race.

            Gordon won at TMS earlier this year. Carl Edwards won both 2008 races at the 1.5-mile track.

            Four drivers have competed in every Cup race ever run at TMS: Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Mark Martin.

You may contact Monte Dutton at mdutton@gastongazette.com.