Racing: All eyes look to Johnson

This season’s Chase for the Sprint Cup is wide open.

Or is it Jimmie Johnson’s to lose … again?

Having won a NASCAR-record four consecutive Cup titles and with five wins already this season, it’s hard to argue against Johnson as a favorite for a fifth.

Yet most of Johnson’s competitors were adamant this weekend or on message that any one of the 12 drivers in the championship race can win it.

The 10-race Chase opens today with the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon. Brad Keselowski starts on the pole with Chase drivers Clint Bowyer and Tony Stewart starting second and third, respectively.

“The way I look at is I feel like there are 12 guys that can win it. Anybody can get on a streak,” said four-time champion Jeff Gordon. “I feel like all of these teams are solid, good teams, good drivers.

“I don’t really see a sleeper.”

Maybe not, but should Johnson – who won the June race at New Hampshire this season – come out of the box with a win on today, it won’t be difficult to hear the collective groan from NASCAR fans.

Kyle Busch cut to the crux when asked how a Johnson win at New Hampshire might be perceived in the garage area.

“Jimmie Johnson will come out in first practice and be top five,” Busch said matter-of-factly. “He’s going to be at the top of the board. He’ll be, I’m sure, top seven or eight in qualifying and he’ll be right there leading the race.”

Kyle Busch raced to his fifth trucks victory of the season and 80th overall NASCAR win, passing James Buescher on the final restart at New Hampshire Motorspeedway on Saturday.

Busch and Kevin Harvick battled for the lead most of the day and it appeared one of them would drive away with the victory. Buescher, though, dipped below both of them with 10 laps left to take the lead. He held it until Ron Hornaday spun into the wall late, bringing out a caution.

That set up Buescher vs. Busch on the restart with two laps left. Busch nudged past Buescher and tagged the wall – “it knocked my helmet crooked” – and sped ahead for the victory.

Buescher finished second and Harvick was third.

Busch has 21 career wins in the Trucks Series.

Helio Castroneves took the pole position for the Indy Japan 300 at Motegi, turning a lap at 201.992 mph to lead a Team Penske sweep of the top three starting spots today.

Ryan Briscoe was second, followed by series points leader Will Power and Dario Franchitti.

Castroneves, coming off a victory Sept. 4 at Kentucky Speedway, is a four-time pole-sitter and 2006 winner at Motegi.