With two races left in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, #48-Jimmie Johnson leads the standings by 73 points over second-place #5-Mark Martin and 112 points over third-place #24-Jeff Gordon. With the standings tight as the season comes to a close, everyone wants to know what Johnson has to do to clinch the title. The largest points deficit overcome with two races remaining was 85 by Alan Kulwicki in 1992.
Phoenix: For Johnson to clinch at Phoenix International Raceway, he will need to lead by 195 points after the race. Currently up 73 points, he’ll need to gain 122 points by the race’s end. If he does that, he will clinch no matter what any other driver does.
Homestead: For Johnson to clinch at Homestead-Miami Speedway, he will need to average a fourth-place finish over the final two races, or fifth and a lap led in each of the final two races, or sixth and the most laps led in each of the final two races. If he does that, he will clinch no matter what any other driver does.
MARTIN if Martin wins and leads the most laps at Phoenix, he would become the new championship leader if Johnson finishes 14th or worse and doesn’t lead a lap.(11-11-2009)
GORDON if Gordon wins at Phoenix and leads the most laps [195 pts, would have 6380], he could leave Pheonix with the points lead IF Martin finishes 5th [155 pts] or worse and leads no laps and Johnson finishes 27th [82 pts] or worse and doesn’t lead a lap.(11-13-2009)
