Race Predz - Homestead/End of Season Edition

Well, unless Brian Vickers takes our advice, Jimmie Johnson will, by this time tomorrow, have become a Nextel Cup champion, House Majority Whip, Grand Viceroy of the Mesopotamian Provinces, etc., etc. We predicted weeks ago that this would be pretty a much a fait accompli by the time we got to Homestead, so we've had time to get used to it, and, well, you know, whatevs. Regardless of your opinion of Johnson, you have to admit he's had a pretty damn fine season, as well as that the 48 team seems to have something figured out that the other folks don't. (Although, as a poster on the ESPN boards has noticed, the 48 has had an awful lot of 2nd-place finishes in the Chase - almost all the points of wins and none of the post-race inspections.)

Of course, something unexpected or insane could still happen tomorrow, and we kind of hope it does. Also, Kenseth won the Busch race tonight, which we can't help think will translate into some sort of momentum in the Cup race. Look for the 17 to work with the 16, who's won at Homestead both of the last two years. And maybe McMurray will be delegated to do the hit job on Johnson or something, since Ragan didn't make the show (Roush had entered seven (!) cars, his five regulars and two development drivers). But probably not. If I were a betting man, I'd bet that the last day of the season, like the first and many between the two, will not be a happy one for the haters of the 48.

Your last top 5 for a few months:

5. Kahne
4. Johnson
3. Biffle
2. Harvick
3. Kenseth