Jimmie Johnson won the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis on Sunday. It was Johnson’s third win of the year, more than any other driver. The five time Sprint Cup champion is now in fourth place in the driver standings.
Although Johnson is heating up, the bigger story is the emergence of hugely popular Dale Earnhardt Jr. With a fouth place finish on Sunday, he moved ahead of Matt Kenseth by 14 points, up to first place in the driver standings. This is the first time Earnhardt has been atop the standings in eight years. Earnhardt, who finished 2010 in 21st place in points, and in 7th last year, won his first race in four years, last month in Michigan. Normally he fades in the summer races, but not this year so far.
Living in the shadow of his father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., who has won 7 driver championships, Junior is still seeking his first championship. He will turn 38 in October, but is leading in points, and almost certainly headed for his best finish in the last 9 years, when he finished 3rd in 2003. Maybe this is his year. However, all drivers need to beware of Jimmie Johnson in number 48, he knows how to close the deal. But if it happens, NASCAR nation would go crazy if their favorite son, Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins the Sprint Cup Championship this year
