Jimmie Johnson Makes It a 2nd NEXTEL Cup Championship

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (Nov. 18, 2007) Sunday night, November 18th 2007 Jimmie Johnson captured his second consecutive NASCAR NEXTEL Cup championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

"I cannot put into words what I am feeling right now," said Jimmie, after finishing seventh in Sunday's race where he led teammate Jeff Gordon who finished fourth. Beating Gordon by 77 points in the 2007 "Chase for the NEXTEL Cup."

"This trophy represents so much hard work by so many people and is the culmination of so many dreams of mine and others that's its almost impossible to talk about," said Johnson.

"There are so many people to thank. Rick Hendrick, Lowe's, my teammates -- the list is endless, but I am very appreciative of all that people have done for me in this sport and in life."

On Sunday, Jimmie started on the pole, led the first lap and never ventured outside the top 10. Afterward, he admitted he was points racing to preserve his 89-point lead.

"It's absolutely phenomenal," said crew chief Chad Knaus. "I'm very proud and very pleased of what we were able to accomplish. And the 24 and 48 shop this year, it's amazing what can happen when you have a group of 92 guys that are going out there and not so much racing against once another, but racing against the competition. That is really what this team did this year."

"Since I was a kid, I just wanted to race," Jimmie said. "I wanted to be the best at racing. I didn't know where it would lead me or what was in store for me or where it would go, but I loved to race.”

"And to be here racing on the main stage of NASCAR, and to have the success of the championships means the world to me. It is something I'm very, very proud of, and thankful of as well. And thankful for the relationships and friendships that I have.”

"I look forward to the future; a lot of good times ahead of us."