The Championship 4 round was introduced in 2014 – A Chevy has been in it, every year since it’s inception
They’ve still got a shot to make it to Homestead-Miami Speedway. One last shot, at Phoenix in just a few hours from now.
However, if Chase Elliott and Jimmie Johnson don’t make it to the Championship 4 is will be a major disappointment for Chevrolet. If that happens, it will be the first time since 2014 that there hasn’t been a Chevy driver in NASCAR’s championship race.
Jimmie Johnson won the championship in 2013, the final season before the Championship 4 was introduced. A Chevy driver has been a Championship competitor in all the following seasons.
2016: Jimmie Johnson (1st)
2015: Kevin Harvick (2nd)
2014: Kevin Harvick (1st)
It’s a streak that could come to an end this weekend at Phoenix. Both Chase Elliott and Jimmie Johnson feel they are in most win situations. There’s a lot of pressure on the Hendrick Motorsports drivers.
Chase Elliott
Phoenix Raceway
“Our task at hand is pretty simple, we have to win the race to move on next week, everybody in here knows that. We know that and we are going to try to attack the weekend as best we can,” Chase Elliott comments ahead of Phoenix Raceway.
Chase Elliott – 2017 Phoenix Raceway
Practice 1: 1st
Practice 2: 2nd
Practice 3: 17th
Qualifying: 4th
Chase Elliott has run 3 races at Phoenix Raceway. He has an average finish of 10th. Elliott has yet to claim a win in the NASCAR Cup Series. However, he’s finished 2nd, six times.
Now would be a great time to claim his first win.
Jimmie Johnson
Phoenix Raceway
“It’s a pretty easy approach for us. We’re in a must-win-situation. We wish we were in a better points scenario, but that’s not the case. This team thrives on pressure and adversity and we’re certainly in the position right now,” Jimmie Johnson comments on today’s race.
Johnson continued, “I didn’t want to be in a position here to need points, because if you’re here needing points, you’ve got to win.”
Jimmie Johnson – 2017 Phoenix Raceway
Practice 1: 8th
Practice 2: 14th
Practice 3: 6th
Qualifying: 12th
Jimmie Johnson is a 7-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. He has won 3 races in 2017. However, his last win came at Dover International Speedway on June 4th.
Johnson has won 4 races at Phoenix Raceway and has an average finish of 9th. Since the repave in 2011, he has a best finish of 2nd.
The race
It’s the final elimination race of the season for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. 3 drivers have clinched their position in next week’s championship race. Today, 5 drivers will fight for the last remaining championship position.
The 312 lap race is set to air on NBC at 2:30pm ET.
Links
Chase Elliott | Jimmie Johnson | Hendrick Motorsports | Phoenix Raceway | NASCAR
