Jimmie Johnson’s three-straight Sprint Cup titles, a virtually unchanged No. 48 team led by crew chief Chad Knaus, and the 550 Hendrick Motor Sports employees backing him make him one of the favourites to win a fourth-straight title.

At 34 years of age, he’s second in the points, and the current “Mr. October and November,” in NASCAR’s senior series. When NASCAR fans hear four championships the next step isn’t five, but, seven.

He’s young enough to think of reaching the record of seven NASCAR championships co-owned by the King, Richard Petty, and the late Dale Earnhardt.

Only the optimistic Johnson says it’s likely not to happen.

In the shadow of the King, at a press conference at Charlotte Motor Speedway Johnson said "seven? I don't think it's possible. With what Richard did and Earnhardt Sr. did, I just don't think that seven is a number you're going to get to. It is tough. You look at Jeff (Gordon) trying to get his fifth and all the success he's had, I think they're safe up there with seven, personally.

I hope to prove them wrong. I'm not saying I don't want to try but, man, we're at three. Four more would be insane.''

Richard Petty added “there's no record that has ever been set that it can't be broke. So from that standpoint, like Jimmie said, it's not likely, just because of the competition and just because of circumstances beyond anybody's control.”





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