It’s that time of the year. One championship contender – #48-Jimmie Johnson – can clinch a berth in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup on Sunday at Watkins Glen International.
The five-time Sprint Cup champion is the sole driver holding a clinch scenario this weekend. Johnson has to leave The Glen with a 193-point lead over the 11th place driver. Currently, he holds a 178-point lead over 11th, which is occupied by #14-Tony Stewart. Stewart will miss Sunday’s race after breaking a leg in a sprint car race on Monday night.
Reigning Sprint Cup champion #2-Brad Keselowski is 12th, 180 points behind Johnson. Johnson is the only competitor to have qualified for the Chase field in all nine seasons.
A win at The Glen will guarantee Johnson at least a Wild Card entry into this year’s post season. He has won four times already as has #20-Matt Kenseth. But mathematically – and officially – speaking, Kenseth cannot lock up a Wild Card spot just yet.
There are other Johnson finishes that would give the five-time champion at least a Wild Card clinch depending on finishes from other competitors.
