The Villages Daily Sun

THE VILLAGES — Winning NASCAR’s Sprint Cup title for the third consecutive year was a feat in itself for Jimmie Johnson. Going into uncharted territory — winning a fourth consecutive next season — doesn’t seem to be too much of a stretch.

Glen Carter and Rich Freed, two members of the The Villages Motor Racing Fan Club, believe Johnson has the overall package needed to win next season’s Sprint Cup title. No one in the history of the sport has won four consecutive season titles.

“I don’t think it’s over yet,” Freed said. “I don’t see anyone that could beat them next year.”

“It’s possible it could happen,” Carter said of the Johnson pursuit of a fourth title.

The success of Johnson’s run has been the top-notch level of professionalism exhibited by the Hendricks camp. Every aspect of the Hendricks team has been stellar in keeping No. 48 running at its best.

“The whole Hendricks organization is so good,” Carter said. “The extraordinary things they do make it hard for other teams to duplicate.”

“The backing that Jimmie has is great,” said Wendy Touchette, another Villages Motor Racing Fan Club member

Johnson’s talent as a driver seems to be debatable.

Carter implies you could put a semi-talented driver in the No. 48 car and he’d be in the winner’s circle more then anyone else

“Johnson has so many more assets with Hendricks,” Carter said. “The main thing is the organization. Good drivers are a dime a dozen.”

Touchette and Gerry Hafer, however, aren’t ready to denounce Johnson’s skills.

“You still have to be a good driver to race and to win,” Touchette said.

“He’s smart,” Hafer said. “That constant grinding and bumping the other drivers get involved in, you never see Johnson mixed up in that. He drives smart and stays out of trouble.”

Where Johnson stands in history will be debated as well. Carter mentioned that with the racing being so different now from years ago, it’s hard to compare.

“I don’t think he’s up there with (Cale) Yarborough (the only other driver to win three consecutive season titles) yet,” Carter said. “It’s hard to compare. It’s like two totally different sports.”

David Bockman, another member of The Villages Motor Racing Fan Club, in a straight apples-to-apples comparison, sees Johnson among the elite.

“Yes, he is as good as Yarborough,” Bockman said. “He’s not Petty but give him his due, he did win three straight.”