Johnson's Cup reign pondered at Chase media day

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon participated in Thursday's Chase Media Day in Chicago’s LaSalle Power Company. The Hendrick Motorsports teammates were among the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase contenders ushered from television to radio to print media to a fan question-and-answer session during the day-long event.

Wherever they went, though, a familiar question arose: Who’s going to end Johnson’s unprecedented reign of five straight Cup championships?

For his part, Johnson sounded pleased with position, despite entering the Chase with just one win – the fewest of any of his previous eight Chases.

“We’re in a good spot," said Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet. "Our win total isn’t what it’s been in the past, but we’ve had opportunities.” 
 
Gordon ranks among the top candidates for this year's Cup title. Gordon, a four-time champion (1995, ’97, ’98, 2001), won all four of his titles in the pre-Chase era. A runner-up in 2007, Gordon believes this might be his best shot in the Chase.

“I’m excited about going to the racetrack every weekend," said Gordon, driver of the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet. "When I won my four championships, it was under the old format. You had to be consistent, and yeah, you had to win, but at the end you were trying to beat two or three guys. With this format you’re going up against 11 other guys. But I do think this is the best chance we’ve ever had at winning the championship (in the Chase).”