{"id":7015,"date":"2016-11-20T23:48:18","date_gmt":"2016-11-21T05:48:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=7015"},"modified":"2016-11-21T18:30:28","modified_gmt":"2016-11-22T00:30:28","slug":"jimmie-johnson-wins-at-homestead-to-claim-record-tying-seventh-title","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2016\/11\/20\/jimmie-johnson-wins-at-homestead-to-claim-record-tying-seventh-title\/","title":{"rendered":"Jimmie Johnson wins at Homestead to claim record-tying seventh title"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"Jimmie

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, celebrates with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship trophy in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/NASCAR via Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

By Reid Spencer<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

NASCAR Wire Service<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Homestead, Fla. \u2013 <\/span><\/span><\/strong>Call him Seven-Time.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jimmie Johnson joined NASCAR\u2019s most exclusive club on Sunday, winning the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway to claim his seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, putting the driver of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet on par with icons Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jimmie

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/NASCAR via Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

“You\u2019re a good man, you\u2019re a great champion, and now you\u2019re a seven-time champion,” crew chief Chad Knaus radioed to Johnson, who grabbed the lead from Kyle Larson through Turns 1 and 2 during the first and only attempt at a two-lap overtime.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Johnson pulled away to win by .466 seconds. Polesitter Kevin Harvick ran third, followed by Championship 4 contender Joey Logano, who finished second in the final standings on the strength of his fourth-place run.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

“Oh, my gosh, there is no, no way on earth,” said Johnson, who picked up his first victory at Homestead, his fifth of the season and the 80th of his career. “Just beyond words. Just didn’t think the race was unfolding for us like we needed to be the champs, but we just kept our heads in the game. Chad called a great strategy, made some great adjustments for the short runs. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

“Luck came our way and we were able to win the race and win the championship. So grateful for the opportunity, and so thankful and blessed. I am at a loss for words.”<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jimmie

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/NASCAR via Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Until the closing laps, Johnson seemed the least likely of the four finalists to win the championship. Carl Edwards was leading on Lap 252 of a scheduled 267 when Dylan Lupton\u2019s contact with the Turn 2 wall caused the fifth caution of the race.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

On the subsequent restart, Edwards tried to block Logano into Turn 1, and the resulting nine-car wreck left Edwards\u2019 No. 19 Toyota crippled against the outside wall. The wreck knocked Edwards out of the race and left him fourth in the final standings.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Kyle Busch restarted next to Johnson on the inside of the second row on Lap 263\u2014after the accident that ended Edwards\u2019 night\u2014but Logano, who had pitted for fresh tires on Lap 260, surged forward as Busch slipped back.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Larson, who led a race-high 132 laps, held the top spot with Johnson in second and Logano closing in third when Ricky Stenhouse Jr.\u2019s Ford nosed hard into the inside wall off Turn 2 to cause the seventh and final caution on Lap 263.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jimmie

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/NASCAR via Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

On the ensuing overtime restart, Johnson started second to the inside of Larson, and cleared the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet through the first corner. Logano slipped to fourth and out of the championship picture.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

“That last restart, I was hoping to get Jimmie there and trying to get either to the inside or outside of him,” Logano said. “I just timed it a little bit wrong to get underneath him. I bumped him at the start\/finish line, and I just didn\u2019t have enough time to get under him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

“We lost some time there, and unfortunately we finish second. The championship means so much and everyone forgets about second place. That\u2019s what stinks. But overall I\u2019m proud of this team. This will be motivation for next year. This hurts.”<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Busch restarted 13th in the overtime after pitting for fresh tires, charged up to sixth over the final two laps and finished third in the championship standings.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jimmie

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

“All in all, we fought hard tonight,” said Busch, the defending series champion. “We gave it everything we had. We didn’t come in here with the greatest race car today, but we knew that we had enough of a one that we could run with those guys, and we showed that when the lights came on.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Johnson, who didn\u2019t lead a lap until he beat Larson to the stripe on the final restart, had to overcome more than his share of adversity to reach his holy grail. In the first place, he surrendered his 14th-place starting position and took the green flag from the rear of the field after NASCAR discovered unapproved modifications to the “A” posts of the No. 48 Chevy during pre-race inspection.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By the time the first caution flag waved on Lap 27, however, Johnson had driven up to 17th place. But less-than-stellar pit stops kept him mired in traffic behind the other three championship contenders for the majority of the race\u2014until an adjustment under caution on Lap 172 brought his car to life.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Notes: Tony Stewart finished 22nd, two laps down in his final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race\u2026 Toyota won its first manufacturers championship in the series, in the car maker\u2019s 10th season in NASCAR\u2019s top division.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

*Additional photos posted below race results.<\/em><\/p>\n

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race – Ford EcoBoost 400<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Homestead-Miami Speedway<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Homestead, Florida<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday, November 20, 2016<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

               1. (14) Jimmie Johnson (C), Chevrolet, 268.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               2. (24) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 268.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               3. (1) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 268.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               4. (13) Joey Logano (C), Ford, 268.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               5. (15) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 268.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               6. (9) Kyle Busch (C), Toyota, 268.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               7. (7) Matt Kenseth, Toyota, 268.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               8. (12) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 268.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               9. (4) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 268.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               10. (26) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet, 268.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               11. (5) Chase Elliott #, Chevrolet, 268.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               12. (17) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 268.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               13. (16) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, 268.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               14. (28) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 268.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               15. (22) Brian Scott #, Ford, 268.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               16. (19) Alex Bowman(i), Chevrolet, 268.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               17. (21) Greg Biffle, Ford, 267.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               18. (23) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 267.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               19. (30) Danica Patrick, Chevrolet, 266.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               20. (20) Trevor Bayne, Ford, 266.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               21. (32) Landon Cassill, Ford, 266.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               22. (11) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 266.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               23. (33) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 266.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               24. (27) Chris Buescher #, Ford, 266.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               25. (3) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, Accident, 264.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               26. (8) * Ryan Blaney #, Ford, 264.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               27. (31) * Matt DiBenedetto(i), Toyota, 264.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               28. (40) Michael Annett, Chevrolet, 264.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               29. (36) David Ragan, Toyota, 264.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               30. (18) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford, Accident, 262.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               31. (38) Jeffrey Earnhardt #, Toyota, 261.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               32. (37) * Reed Sorenson, Toyota, 259.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               33. (34) Ty Dillon(i), Chevrolet, Accident, 258.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               34. (10) Carl Edwards (C), Toyota, Accident, 257.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               35. (2) Brad Keselowski, Ford, Accident, 257.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               36. (6) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, Accident, 257.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               37. (29) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, Accident, 257.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               38. (35) * Regan Smith, Chevrolet, Accident, 255.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               39. (39) Dylan Lupton(i), Ford, 250.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

               40. (25) Aric Almirola, Ford, 213.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  128.869 mph.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Time of Race:  3 Hrs, 07 Mins, 10 Secs. Margin of Victory:  0.466 Seconds.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  7 for 33 laps.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  20 among 6 drivers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   K. Harvick 1-31; C. Edwards (C) 32-34; K. Harvick 35-67; C. Edwards (C) 68-70; K. Harvick 71-85; J. Logano (C) 86-91; C. Edwards (C) 92-117; K. Larson 118-121; C. Edwards (C) 122-125; K. Larson 126-135; C. Edwards (C) 136-143; K. Larson 144-154; C. Edwards (C) 155; K. Larson 156-172; C. Edwards (C) 173; K. Larson 174-208; C. Edwards (C) 209; K. Larson 210-253; K. Busch (C) 254; K. Larson 255-265; J. Johnson (C) 266-268.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  K. Larson 7 times for 132 laps; K. Harvick 3 times for 79 laps; C. Edwards (C) 8 times for 47 laps; J. Logano (C) 1 time for 6 laps; J. Johnson (C) 1 time for 3 laps; K. Busch (C) 1 time for 1 lap.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Top 16 in Points: J. Johnson (C) – 5,040; J. Logano (C) – 5,037; K. Busch (C) – 5,035; C. Edwards (C) – 5,007; M. Kenseth – 2,330; D. Hamlin – 2,320; K. Busch – 2,296; K. Harvick – 2,289; K. Larson – 2,288; C. Elliott # – 2,285; M. Truex Jr. – 2,271; B. Keselowski – 2,267; J. McMurray – 2,231; A. Dillon – 2,223; T. Stewart – 2,211; C. Buescher # – 2,169.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"(L-R)

(L-R) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase drivers Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, Carl Edwards, driver of the #19 ARRIS Toyota, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, pose with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship trophy prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/NASCAR via Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Tony

Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Always a Racer\/Mobil 1 Chevrolet, greets fans as he is introduced prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"A

A banner thanking Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Always a Racer\/Mobil 1 Chevrolet, is displayed during pre-race ceremonies for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/NASCAR via Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Tony

Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Always a Racer\/Mobil 1 Chevrolet, drives during pace-laps prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/NASCAR via Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Kevin

Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet, leads the field past the green flag to start the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/NASCAR via Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Kevin

Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, lead the field on a restart during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/NASCAR via Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Joey

Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Kyle

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Jimmie

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, races during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Carl

Carl Edwards, driver of the #19 ARRIS Toyota, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Jimmie

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Jimmie

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, celebrates with crew members after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/NASCAR via Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Jimmie

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, celebrates with team owner Rick Hendrick in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. (Photo by Sarah Crabill\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Jimmie

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/NASCAR via Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Jimmie

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  By Reid Spencer NASCAR Wire Service Homestead, Fla. \u2013 Call him Seven-Time. Jimmie Johnson joined NASCAR\u2019s most exclusive club on Sunday, winning the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway to claim his seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, putting the driver of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet on par with icons Richard Petty […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7018,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[63,16],"class_list":["post-7015","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-jimmie-johnson","tag-nascar"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/HMS_NSCS_Celebration_112016.jpg?fit=4928%2C3280&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-1P9","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7015","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7015"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7015\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7039,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7015\/revisions\/7039"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7018"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7015"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7015"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7015"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}