Power Rankings: Dominant J.J. rightfully earns spot at top

Updated Nov. 23

Last year, in somewhat controversial fashion, we ranked Carl Edwards No. 1 ahead of 2008 Cup champion Jimmie Johnson in the final CBSSports.com NASCAR Power Rankings.

Jimmie Johnson leads the field in wins (seven) and laps led (2,238), and tied for the most top fives (16). (US Presswire)

This year, there is no debate. While Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart all had their moments during the season, when all was said and done, Johnson was unquestionably the best.

Johnson led the series with seven wins, four coming in the season's final nine races when the championship was on the line. Hamlin was the only other driver with multiple victories during the Chase -- and he also had six top fives -- but his title hopes were ultimately derailed by three DNFs.

"With three DNF's -- you look at the final point standings and call a DNF 100 points and we were right there," said Hamlin, who finished fifth in the final standings, 317 behind Johnson. "But those guys [the 48 team] have been the standard. They haven't made mistakes and that's who we ultimately want to beat. I think we're showing that we have the strength to compete with those guys. It's just that they've done a phenomenal job."

Johnson also topped the series in laps led (2,238), pacing the field for more than 20 percent of the laps run in 2009. Hamlin was a distant second with 1,380 laps led. Kyle Busch at 1,157 laps led was the only other driver to reach quadruple digits.

Stewart, in his first year as owner-driver at Stewart Haas, won the "regular-season" crown by 179 points over Gordon, picking up three wins, 13 top fives and 18 tops 10s through the season's first 26 races. But he wasn't nearly as consistent over the course of the second half of the year, finishing outside the top 10 in half of the Chase races and picking up just two top fives in the season's final 14 events.

Johnson's Hendrick Motorsports teammates Martin and Gordon had outstanding seasons in their own right, but neither had the complete package of Johnson.

Martin captured seven poles, which led the series, and also nabbed five wins, second-best to Johnson. But his 14 top fives were only fifth-best, while his 21 top 10s tied him for fourth-best. Like Hamlin, he was befallen by four DNFs during the season, which was second-most among drivers who finished in the top 20.

"My equipment is just as good, but I am not as good as Jimmie Johnson," conceded Martin, who finished second in the final standings for the fifth time in his career.

Gordon tied Johnson for the series lead with 16 top fives and led the series with 25 top 10s, but spent way too much time watching teammates Johnson and Martin collect winner's trophies. Gordon managed just one win, his only victory over the past two seasons.

"As a competitor it's a little bit frustrating as well as inspiring for us to try to figure out how we could go out there and win a championship for ourselves," said Gordon, who captured the last of his four championships in 2001.

Gordon, Martin, et Al were just no match for Johnson this season. Our congratulations go out to Johnson and his 48 team on their fourth consecutive Cup championship.

Final Power Rankings: