The 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) is over with a fresh face in victory lane and the usual suspect hoisting the championship trophy in the season-finale Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway.
Denny Hamlin, in the No. 11 FexEx Toyota Camry extended his consecutive years of winning to eight, while Jimmie Johnson with a ninth-place finish captured his sixth championship in eight years driving the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS for Hendrick Motorsports.
Hamlin, who missed a month of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series action following an early season accident at Auto Club (Calif.) Speedway has endured a disastrous season, but will now head into a welcomed off-season a winner holding off championship rival Matt Kenseth for his 23rd career NSCS win.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., finished third and ultimately had the best car in the field, but was unable to pass Kenseth in the closing laps of the race to contend for the win.
Martin Truex Jr., in his final race with Michael Waltrip Racing and sponsor NAPA Auto Parts finished fourth with MWR teammate Clint Bowyer rounding out the top-five.
2012 Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski was sixth, flanked by Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Johnson and third-place championship runner Kevin Harvick to comprise the remainder of the top-10.
Johnson’s bid for a sixth title, which puts him just one championship behind career leaders and legends Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. didn’t come easy and without a “hold your breath” moment.
Following a restart on Lap 194, Paul Menard hammered the back of Johnson’s No. 48 Chevrolet as the outside line stalled. The impact jolted Johnson’s car sideways, but the then five-time champion was able to regain control and keep the car off the outside wall. The masterful saving skills by the six-time winner this season ultimately kept his championship hopes alive.
His momentum crippled, however with Johnson sinking to 23rd in the running order, the exact finishing position he needed in order to secure the championship, no matter where Kenseth finished. Johnson quickly recovered to 16th less than 10 laps later clearing his Chad Knaus led team out of the danger zone.
The scariest part of the race occurred on Lap 232 when Paul Menard’s right rear tire caught fire on the backstretch. Menard was able to bring his No. 27 MOEN / Menards Chevrolet to pit lane where the crew members attempted to change tires, but were immediately halted when the tire exploded knocking the whole wheel off the vehicle. While no one was injured, Menard’s night abruptly ended.
Under the caution, the leaders elected to pit with Hamlin leading the way off pit road.
When racing resumed, Earnhardt Jr. attacked, but his car was not stout until the longer runs allowing Hamlin to regain control of the lead on Lap 244. Jr. slipped back to second before being overtaken by Kenseth. Over the course of the final 22 laps, the two put on a harrowing battle for the runner-up spot.
Despite his best efforts, NASCAR’s most popular driver was not able to negotiate past Kenseth’s Toyota. Their intense battle allowed Hamlin to check-out, taking his second win at Homestead-Miami. Speedway by 0.799 seconds. He won the 2009 finale after starting 38th.
Behind them, 37-year old Johnson took security in the lower line over the final laps ensuring the title and his 24th top-10 of the year.
Johnson entered the Sprint Cup scene in 2002 after teammate and co-owner Jeff Gordon convinced Rick Hendrick to take a chance on the El Cajon, California native. The risk has turned into reward six times plus.
“I don’t even know where to start. I am at a loss for words, but I am so proud, and so thankful for this opportunity at Hendrick Motorsports,” said Johnson. “I’m thankful that Jeff Gordon and Rick Hendrick gave me this opportunity back in 2002. Thankful that Lowe’s came on board. I want to say hi to all the employee-owners that are watching; everybody back at Hendrick Motorsports in all departments. This sport is about people, and our people at Hendrick Motorsports, especially on this 48 car rose up and got the job done. I am so thankful to be able to drive for this race team, and so honored and so excited to have a six-pack.”
For Hamlin, the opportunity to close out a dreadful, devastating year now has some light at the end of the tunnel.
“It was just an amazing drive,” said Hamlin, who noted he won’t have back surgery in the off-season, just rehab. “I knew we had a strong car. Pit strategy worked out great for us. We came back from the mid-20s early in the race and we drove back up there. Just proud of Darian (Grubb, crew chief) and this whole team for giving me a race-winning car. We tested up here and it obviously paid off with all the Gibbs (Joe Gibbs Racing) cars up front. Just proud of this whole FedEx team.”
Kenseth, who had his best championship finish since placing second in 2006 driving for Roush Fenway Racing took his loss in a modest positive stride.
“It was really a great night for us. I’m so proud of the Dollar General Toyota team – everybody at Joe Gibbs Racing and Kyle (Busch) and Denny (Hamlin). Especially for Denny, it’s been a tough year for him and this is what we needed honestly. This will really give us a lot of confidence going into next season. We had a good night – we were really dominant when the sun was out. We struggled a little bit when it went down – – a lot of that will lay on the driver probably a little reluctant to get up in the groove where I needed to run to make up any speed. Overall, great day, great season.”
When asked about his first year at Joe Gibbs Racing, Kenseth said, “It was just an unbelievable year for us really. Obviously, we wanted to finish off and win the championship as good as we ran all year, but couldn’t be more proud of whole Dollar General / Home Depot Toyota team. They did a spectacular job all season and all day today again. Overall, I don’t think you could ask for more.”
The 2014 Sprint Cup season kicks off Feb. 14-23 with the traditional Speedweeks at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. The 56th Daytona 500, the first point-paying race of the season, is scheduled for Feb. 23 and will be broadcast live on FOX.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
