Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson: They are NASCAR's modern day Rat Pack and they run the streets here. Jimmie Johnson (Dean Martin) led this pack all day on Sunday afternoon grabbing the Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway. Johnson took the lead from Hendrick/Rat Pack teammate Jeff Gordon on lap 244 and ran away over the final six to secure his fifth Cup victory of 2006. He likely also secured his fourth championship on Sunday, barring any unlikely #48 mistakes or accidents over the final six.

Read on after the jump. Please.

 

"We've had four or five (good races) in a row and I've been losing points to the leader," (third place) Juan Pablo Montoya (Sammy Davis Jr.) said. "(You're not) going to make any points on anybody. Everybody that runs good is going to be there. You just got to make sure you don't lose any."

In other words, winning championships means winning races over the final ten. It also means making minimal mistakes. And when was the last time Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus made a mistake during the Chase? Further, Jimmie has now won at every Chase race sans Homestead Miami, a rave held long after he's secured a comfortable championship stronghold.

"Just because we won the last three doesn't mean we're a shoo-in for a fourth," Johnson said.

Sure, Jimmie-robot man. Sure.

In other news, Jeff Gordon (Frank Sinatra) scored a Sprint Cup leading eighth second place finish on Sunday afternoon. Johnson chose the high groove on the lap 239 restart and Gordon prospered surging to a four carlink lead heading into turn 3. But just as Gordon set his sights on his second victory, a huge caution invited Johnson back. Jimmie Johnson quickly disposed of Gordon and drove off towards the win and points lead.

"What else can you say? They're the best out there," Gordon said. "They've won the last three championships. They're going to be hard to beat for this one. Really, unless they make a mistake, I don't see how they lose it."

One man who may disagree if he were not so darn classy is Mark Martin (Humphrey Bogart). Martin finished fourth and fell to second in the championship standings after Sunday's race. Martin is only -12 back and still has the best shot at catching Johnson if the patterns of 2009 stay true.

One driver receiving a notable mention is Tony Stewart (Joey Bishop) who marched from one lap down to finish fifth. Stewart remains fourth in the standings and falls to -84 back of Johnson.

Off Topic

Onwards to Lowe's; the race track and not the supply store.  Alongside Auto Club Speedway and Infeneon, stop the naming rights of national speedways. How long is it before they sell off naming rights to the Daytona 500? Or much worse...the birthplace itself. Touch Wrigley Field and I riot. It is as simple as that.

 Nationwide Series

What? They are still running that series?

Imagine that.

Oh? Kyle Busch didn't fill a podium slot?

Ah. He was sick and Denny finished the race for him. Bummer.

WHAT?! Danica wants $8 million - $1 million per race, to run Nationwide Series in 2010. Girl, please. We're fans here at Ranting and Raving but consider winning some more races before you start with the crazy talk in our circuit.

Oh. That's right. Joey Logano won the Copart 300 at Fontana on Saturday afternoon. Would you prefer California?

Me too.