Top Stories of 2016, #9: Jimmie Johnson's historic seventh championship

History was made at Homestead-Miami Speedway when Johnson crossed the finish line to win his 80th career race and more importantly, a record-tying seventh Cup championship. Johnson led just three laps in the season finale -- the final three.

It was just the latest example of the No. 48 prevailing, despite not necessarily being the fastest car on track.

Johnson's 2016 season was a roller coaster. It started off strong with two wins in the first five races. But then, Hendrick Motorsports faltered as a whole. The veteran driver went 25 straight races before finding Victory Lane again, which came at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October. The win secured Johnson a place in the Round of Eight; an opportunity he did not squander. At Martinsville Speedway, he won once again and launched himself into the Championship 4.

The final showdown

Homestead was not going well for the 41-year-old. He started from dead last due to unapproved adjustments prior to the race. He quickly rocketed up through the field, but stalled out once he reached the top ten.

Towards the end of the race, he was not part of the title discussion, with all focused shifted to the Joe Gibbs Racing teammates of Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch. On a late-race restart, Edwards was in control of the championship, but it all went horribly wrong as the field roared off into Turn 1. He tried to block a move by title rival Joey Logano. Edwards crashed violently, taking out several other cars in the process. Logano was forced to pit.

It was now Johnson in a fortuitous position for the dash to the checkered flag. He powered by Kyle Larson and took over the race lead, the remaining championship contenders unable to run him down and mount a challenge. He ended the 36-race season with five victories, eleven top fives and 16 top tens, leading a total of 737 laps.

Johnson's crown is his seventh in the last decade, a remarkable feat. Only NASCAR icons Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty have ever won so many titles, but neither did it as quickly as Johnson did. What makes his seven championships even more impressive is the circumstances surrounding them. He, Chad Knaus and company won it all with three generations race cars and under varying Chase formats. 

Johnson now heads into 2017 with an opportunity to solidify his place above the rest with an unprecedented eighth championship.