Hendrick Motorsports sweeps the top three for season

Hendrick Motorsports made another piece of history this week when they finished 1-2-3 in the points' standings. In addition to the championship for Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin finished second and Jeff Gordon finished third.

Our View That is how you define dominance; nothing more needs to be said.

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Johnson makes history with fourth consecutive championship

For the first time in NASCAR's 61-year history, a driver has won four consecutive championships. Jimmie Johnson capped off the season with a fifth-place finish in the Ford 400.

Our View Better still for fantasy owners, his fifth-place finish shows he was never content to points' race.

And with no changes to the NASCAR Chase schedule, he has to be considered a favorite to win a fifth consecutive.

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Hamlin wins Ford 400

Denny Hamlin led the final 44 laps of the Ford 400 and earned his first victory on the progressively-banked Homestead-Miami Speedway. Previously, his best results were a pair of third in 2006 and 2007.

Our View After Hamlin posted the third best average speed in Happy Hour, we elevated him to dark horse status for the win; he didn't disappoint.

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Ky Busch caps off Nationwide season in style

Kyle Busch clinched the Nationwide season championship by merely starting the Ford 300, but he capped off the season in style by holding off second-place Carl Edwards—who also finished second in the points' standings.

Our View On Friday night, Kevin Harvick won the Camping World Truck Series race while his Ron Hornaday-led team clinched the owner's championship.

Could we see a third such storyline with a Jimmie Johnson victory on Sunday?

Burton wins Homestead Happy Hour

Jeff Burton posted both the single fastest lap of 165.736 mph and the quickest average speed of 161.439 during 44 laps in Homestead's Happy Hour for the Ford 400.

Our View He qualified mid-pack, but after coming from shotgun on the field to finish second last week at Phoenix, you would be foolish to discount Burton's odds at Homestead.

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Martin fastest in Homestead Sat. practice 1

Mark Martin posted the fastest single lap in Homestead's Saturday first practice with a speed of 168.177 mph.

Our View In addition, his average speed of 162.027 during 30 laps was fifth best, which gives him a good balance of speed and sustainability. Martin should be expected to run with the top-five leaders all day in the Ford 400.

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Harvick wins Homestead Sat. practice 1

Kevin Harvick posted the quickest average speed in Homestead's Saturday first practice, with a speed of 163.194 mph during 24 laps.

Our View Along with his sixth-place qualification effort and five top-10s in six races on the progressive banks at Homestead, Harvick has to be considered a dark horse to win.

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Yahoo! Qualification Story – Homestead

In this week's Yahoo! preview, we told you that dark horses would run well this week. Guess what? There will be a lot of surprises at the front of the field, but do they have a chance to stay there? Find out what we think in this week's Yahoo! qualification story (.pdf).

Johnson wins Homestead pole

Jimmie Johnson gave notice early that he will be the driver to beat in both the Ford 400 and the championship by winning the pole for Sunday's race. His top speed was 173.919 mph.

Our View The team said they would not be conservative and we were skeptical. Sounds like they may just have meant that, but it's still hard to recommend a driver who needs only to finish in the first half of the field.

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Homestead Chassis selections

Jayski.com has compiled a collection of some of the chasses for this week.

Our View Among those highlighted are Jimmie Johnson's as well as for dark horses Carl Edwards and Martin Truex Jr. This information could be one of the most important pieces of the puzzle this week in your last chance to gain ground on the competition.

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Montoya spins in practice 1

Juan Montoya got loose at the 23 minute mark of practice for the Ford 400 and spun out of turn four. He blew his tires, but did not do any damage to his primary car.

Our View Now Montoya knows where the edge is and he shouldn't step over it again. At the time of his spin, the No. 42 was second on the speed chart.

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Yahoo! Homestead Preview

The Ford 400 is your last chance to make up ground on your competition. Luckily, this race is traditionally kind to dark horses, so a little luck should go a long way. Check out our picks in this week's Yahoo! Preview (.pdf).

Gilliland in fourth Gibbs car for three races

Earlier this week it was announced that Bobby Labonte would replace David Gilliland in the No. 71 in seven of the final 12 races this season, which left the California native out of a ride in those events. He won't sit idle for at least two races, however, as he has been tagged to attempt to qualify a fourth Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota at Texas and Homestead-Miami with sponsorship from Farmer's Bureau Insurance, according to ESPN.com. Gilliland is also expected to run the Gibbs car at Lowe's Motor Speedway, which is not a race Labonte is scheduled to run in the No. 71, but there is no shortage of drivers waiting to take his place.

Our View Gilliland will be much more competitive in the Gibbs car than he was in the start and park Racer's Group ride.

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