Johnson is the man
Okay, so he's not Jeff Gordon.
That may be true, but there's one thing we're going to be able to call Jimmie Johnson come Sunday night - a repeat champion in the NASCAR Nextel Cup series.
And the way he's done it - winning four straight races, just like Gordon did when he repeated as champ in 1998 - is certainly Gordonesque.
Read on for the latest power rankings after the Checker Auto Parts 500 from Phoenix International Raceway.
1. Jimmie Johnson: Let's say it together - We're not worthy! And remember to bow down at the altar of greatness.
2. Jeff Gordon: Normally, finishes of third, seventh, seventh and 10th wouldn't cause depression. Not so for the 24 camp, which has gone from 68 points ahead at the start of the Johnson blitz to 86 behind, a 154-point swing.
3. Clint Bowyer: From starting the Chase in 12th, it's been a great ride for the 07. He'll be locked in here in the final standings.
4. Kyle Busch: Almost pulled off the winning trifecta at Phoenix, but had to come from too far back in Sunday's Cup race.
5. Tony Stewart: Can't win a title when your average finish has been 18th of late.
6. Matt Kenseth: Has had great runs in the last four races, but the previous four were killers for any title hopes.
7. Kurt Busch: The Blue Deuce was 12th at Phoenix.
8. Martin Truex Jr.: Just missed back-to-back poles, still finished seventh Sunday.
9. Carl Edwards: From the pole at PIR to 42nd? Ouch, babe!
10. Denny Hamlin: With the COT coming in full-time in '08, watch out for the 11.
11. Jeff Burton: Was ninth Sunday. His Chase was hurt by early finishes of 18th (New Hampshire), 36th (Kansas) and 43rd (Talladega).
12. Kevin Harvick: He should be thanking his lucky stars they took 12 for this year's Chase.
Homestead track fact: Johnson has never won at Homestead-Miami Speedway. We said the same thing before races at Texas and Phoenix, but we all know what happened.
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