INSIGHT: Johnson's a champ, Chase or no Chase

NASCAR's Chase for the Sprint Cup has been criticized for creating "artificial and manufactured" competition, because it resets the point standings four times during the season's final 10 races and bunches the title contenders to force crowded racing for the big prize. That harsh judgment can be supported.

It should be noted, however, that there was nothing "artificial" or "manufactured" about the drama that blanketed the final hour of NASCAR's season Sunday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This was racing on the raw and ragged edge, with drivers diving high and low – even onto track territory typically reserved for painted sponsor advertisements – in pursuit of a championship.

• VIDEO: Johnson's run to a seventh championship

• Johnson, Knaus master head games

In the end, the loot wound up in the hands of a man who is no stranger to these parts: Jimmie Johnson. His victory in the Ford EcoBoost 400 produced Johnson's seventh Sprint Cup championship, trying him atop stock car racing's Mt. Olympus with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Anti-Johnson fans – and there are many – will argue that Johnson's titles don't mean as much as those earned by Earnhardt and Petty because they've all been scored under the Chase format, which debuted in 2004. Johnson disciples will make the opposite argument – that championships are harder to win in an era that has been more competitive and under a format that repeatedly resets the field of contenders.

Never mind that imbroglio. It's an argument for late-night bar sessions and statistical devotees. The important thing about Sunday night is that Johnson reached seven and that he did it in impressive fashion – after the three pretenders (Carl Edwards, Joey Logano and Kyle Busch) had raced themselves into a frenzy. And out of the running.

Left to absorb the title was Old Reliable (sometimes known as Superman), who led only three laps – the final three of the night. He and crew chief Chad Knaus have stepped through almost every door of opportunity over their record-breaking partnership, and Sunday was no different.

For most of the night, it appeared that the title would be decided by the other three. Edwards, Logano and Busch raced at or near the front virtually all night, while Johnson lurked in the periphery. He was extremely peripheral at the start of the race, starting at the back of the field after NASCAR officials disagreed with some of Knaus' pre-race modifications in the No. 48's A-post area.

This, too, surprised almost no one, Knaus being among the more experimental experimenters in the NASCAR garage.

Johnson moved in position to win in the twilight laps after Edwards and Logano battled fender-to-fender for the high ground on a restart with 10 laps to go.

Edwards had the No. 1 spot – and could see the avenue leading to the title opening before him – among the four contenders. On the restart – they all had to guess this would be the last restart, Logano shot hard to the inside with the idea of passing Edwards into the first turn.

Edwards was having none of it. He slid left to block Logano, who refused to give ground. Logano's car pounded Edwards', who hit the inside wall, shot across the track and was punted by Kasey Kahne's Chevrolet.

In a racing series that often draws criticism for parade-like racing, this was drama of the highest sort on the highest ground. Two racers – each gunning for a first championship – seemingly put every last effort into a fight for space that only one could occupy.

Where was Johnson during all this? On track. Unharmed. Lurking. Hungry for seven.

When it came time for the final restart, Johnson shot forward under the biggest green flag of his life. There was no serious challenge. He was on his way to the history books.

Next, the eighth championship? It's a question that will follow Johnson until he collects it. And that might be soon.