Johnson Takes 118-Point Cup Lead Into Talladega

October 29, 2009 1:54 p.m. EST

Talladega, AL (AHN) - Three-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson owns a 118-point lead over teammate Mark Martin heading into the crapshoot that is Talladega Superspeedway this weekend.

Johnson, who extended his lead by 28 points from 90 to 118 last weekend, knows that Talladega's proneness for big, unavoidable crashes could erase some or all of his lead with four races to go.

Johnson, who has three Chase wins, has 6,098 points and is trailed by Martin (5,980), Jeff Gordon (5,948), Tony Stewart (5,906), Juan Pablo Montoya (5,898), Kurt Busch (5,858), Ryan Newman (5,786), Greg Biffle (5,748), Denny Hamlin (5,746) and Carl Edwards (5,685).

Chasers Kasey Kahne (5,659) and Brian Vickers (5,568) sit in the 11th and 12th positions and are followed by Kyle Busch (3,920), Matt Kenseth (3,895), Clint Bowyer (3,805), David Reutimann (3,764), Marcos Ambrose (3,453), Jeff Burton (3,379), Casey Mears (3,378) and rookie Joey Logano (3,324).

In positions 21st through 29th are: Kevin Harvick (3,275), Jamie McMurray (3,091), Martin Truex Jr. (3,064), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (3,062), AJ Allmendinger (3,020), Elliott Sadler (2,991), Sam Hornish Jr., (2,905), David Ragan (2,873) and Reed Sorenson (2,849).

In positions 30th through 39th are: David Stremme (2,817), Bobby Labonte (2,808), Paul Menard (2,705), Michael Waltrip (2,461), Robby Gordon (2,402), Scott Speed (2,353), John Andretti (2,282), David Gilliland (1,700), Regan Smith (1,260) and Brad Keselowski (1,183).

Rounding out the top-43 in positions 41st thru 43 are: Dave Blaney (1,127), Bill Elliott (919) and Max Papis (904).