Jimmie Johnson has captured the pole for the Ford 400 at Homestead. This race will be the finally to many things. It is the final race of the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, the final race for the classic car in Nextel Cup, and (probably) the final race for Ricky Rudd, who has been in the sport for the last thirty years. For many, such as Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, and Michael Waltrip, this race marks the end of a season that they would all love to forget. For others, such as Clint Bowyer, this season was the beginning of a long and succsesful career in racing's greatest arena. As the season closes, the Chase for the Championship is down to two teams: the #48 team of Jimmie Johnson and the #24 team of Jeff Gordon.
The mile and a half oval at Homestead has changed since the last time the Cup series was there. Before, the track was mostly flat, and a challenge to get around. The track has since been repaved and the level of banking has increased significantly as there are 20-degrees variable banking in the turns. This track will bring some of the most exciting racing of the season to Miami. As such here are the drivers to watch on Sunday:
- Jimmie Johnson has all but locked in his second straight championship. In classic Hendrick fashion, Johnson dominated qualifying on Friday, capturing his third and final pole of this season. Johnson finished a respectable nineth last season to lock in his championship and is looking to do the same this season. All Johnson has to do is finish 18th or better and he will be able to celebrate another championship season. Anything worse, and Jeff Gordon can jump at the chance to win. Look for Johnson to be at the front of the pack all day.
- Jeff Gordon conceded the Nextel Cup Championship to Jimmie Johnson after the race at Phoenix last Sunday. Perhaps he did it out of disappointment, or because he didn't not believe that there was anything he could do to catch his teammate. Regardless, Gordon changed his tune this week. Anything can happen between the time the green flag waves and the checkards wave. Gordon is going to be up front with Johnson fighting for the win and the championship on Sunday. This will be one of the best duels we will see all season. Gordon rolls off 11th.
- Greg Biffle has dominated the last three races at Homstead Miami Speedway, capturing victories in the last three season finales. Biffle has not had the best of seasons, and would love to finish the season off with a victory at a track that he knows how to win at. Though he didn't qualify well, Biffle will be working his way through the field to the front in a hurry. Look for Biffle to come from the back of the field starting in the 37th position.
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been plagued by problems all season. Jr. would like to change that in his final race with Dale Earnhardt Inc. Jr. has promised his team that he will bring a victory to the team before his tenure is over, and Jr. is out of chances to do that after Homstead. He is going to drive the guts out of that #08 Budweiser Chevy for the last time, and no one should be surprised if he ends up in victory lane by the end of the night. Look for Jr. to roll out 13th.
- Kyle Busch is another driver playing musical chairs next season. He will be swtiching to the #18 at Joe Gibbs racing after Sunday night's race. Busch has been charging the field in the last few weeks, showing the Hendrick team what they will be missing out. Busch has done exceptionally well at Homstead, finishing third last season after starting 38th. Kyle Busch, like Greg Biffle, knows how to get around this track, and will be doing so in commanding fashion on Sunday.
- Sam Hornish Jr. qualified for his second Cup race this season after a long stretch of races where he could not get into the show. Though he is not a contender for the win, look for Hornish to be getting a lot of experience mid pack. Hornish rolls out 29th on Sunday.
