HOMESTEAD, Fla. - The nickname "Four-Time" was claimed long ago by Jeff Gordon, leaving Jimmie Johnson in search of a fresh moniker to cap his record-setting fourth consecutive NASCAR championship.
His Hendrick Motorsports team had it covered.
They call Johnson "Shark" for his "relentless attack on the competition, especially when he smells blood," said general manager Marshall Carlson.
Johnson never let up in his chase for a championship, or his chase of NASCAR history.
The most dominant driver of this decade wrapped up another title Sunday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where he raced hard to finish fifth when 25th place would have gotten the job done.
Johnson's total trails only the seven titles won by Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, and he's now tied with teammate Gordon.
Finally, Johnson is willing to consider his place in NASCAR history.
"The fact that nobody has done this, I think it puts me near the top," he said. "I certainly look at the seven championships by both Earnhardt and Petty, their race wins, their being in the sport for the number of years and all that they've done — those two guys are kind of at a draw at the top.
