HOMESTEAD, Fla. - It took Jimmie Johnson just 13 races into his rookie season with Hendrick Motorsports to prove to his team he was a rare talent. He had just won at Dover for his second victory in four weeks and was debriefing with crew chief Chad Knaus when he brought up a sensation he felt in the car that day that he was certain came from wind blowing through a gap in the grandstands. It was remarkable insight, Knaus said, from a driver who understands very little about the setup of a race car. "He can feel the car. He can be one with the car," Knaus said. "I know that sounds foolish, it sounds weird. But, seriously, go to a surfer and ask him about his surfboard. Go to a snowboarder and ask him about his snowboard. Go to a skier, ask him about his skis. "When theyre able to get in that position, and they feel the car, understand what the car is going to do, its pretty amazing. Jimmie can really do that. He feels whats going on." Knaus went so far as to claim Johnson does things in the car "most mortals cant." His resume supports that claim. Johnson continued his romp through the NASCAR record books Sunday night by winning his sixth championship in eight years. With only the mark of seven titles won by Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt ahead of him, Johnson is making a solid case to be considered one of the best to ever climb into a race car. Its a debate he wants no part of, shrugging in his champagne-soaked firesuit Sunday night that those conversations can wait until after hes done racing. There are some who believe Johnson is a product of his environment, and he wins because he drives for mighty Hendrick Motorsports in a car prepared by Knaus, a crew chief so laser-focused on the No. 48 Chevrolet that its not always evident if he finds any joy in his job. Theres also an argument that Johnsons titles stem from the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship format, which debuted in 2004 as a 10-race playoff. It replaced the decades-old system of crowning a champion based on an entire season, and Johnson reeled off five consecutive titles beginning with Year 3 of the Chase. Indeed, under the old scoring system, Johnson would not have won titles in 2007, 2008 or 2010. But thats not his problem. He raced under the rules at the time, on the same playing field as everyone else on the track — the same as Petty did during his heyday, and Earnhardt during his time. As far as Petty is concerned, the debate is pointless. "All I can say is Earnhardt did his thing in his time against his competition. I did mine against my competition, and hes doing his thing against his competition," Petty said. "We didnt compete with each other. He wasnt there to race against Richard Petty or Earnhardt, and we didnt have to race against Jimmie Johnson, either. "You cant compare. Its not apples and apples. Its apples and oranges." Petty is right, it is very difficult to compare. But Johnson has very much earned the right to be part of the conversation by winning his six titles faster than Petty and Earnhardt, by becoming the youngest driver at 38 to reach the mark, and by winning 30 more races (he has 66 total Cup wins) than any other driver in the last 11 years. "I dont think he wants to try to prove it to anybody else, he just wants to prove it to himself," team owner Rick Hendrick said. "Ive never seen anyone that works any harder and is any more committed to his physical conditioning, from the way he eats at certain times of the year, when he gets into the Chase, the way he works out. "He doesnt have to run over people. He doesnt have to go out and brag about what hes done. He just shows up, does his job. Sooner or later people have to say, Youre the deal." Yet Johnson still fights a stereotype among many stick-and-ball types who dont respect what hes done. The most recent slight came from retired NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb, who was asked on a Fox Sports program to rank Johnson against other athletes at the top of their game. McNabb dismissed the driver as "absolutely not an athlete" because "he sits in a car and he drives, that doesnt take being athletic." Fellow drivers from various series rallied to Johnsons defence, and NASCAR fans berated McNabb on social media. Johnson said very little on the topic, even after winning his championship. "Yes, I am an athlete, and so is every driver in one of these race cars," he smiled. Ironically, Fox Sports rival ESPN will have Johnson sit in as host Tuesday night for SportsCenter, an appearance being touted as "the first athlete to guest host." He deserves the nod, as his accomplishments rank as high as any other current athlete. Derek Jeter and Kobe Bryant have five team championships, which Johnson has now surpassed. Hes tied with Michael Jordan, who for two years has ribbed Johnson that he had one more ring than the driver. While Roger Federer won 16 Grand Slams in eight years, and Tiger Woods won seven majors in four years, Johnson has won all of NASCARs "crown jewels." Hes won two Daytona 500s, four Brickyard 400s, Coca-Cola 600s and All-Star races, and two Southern 500s. There are only five active tracks on the schedule where Johnson has yet to win, and one of them is Homestead, where hes traditionally playing it safe and trying to wrap up a championship. Knaus, who opined Sunday night that if not for midseason rule changes in 2012 the team "would have waxed the competition," believes the current crew hes assembled around Johnson has yet to reach its full potential. Johnson doesnt dare dream of what other goals he might accomplish or where hell rank when its all said and done. "Its not like me to think in that light. Its just not me," Johnson said. "I guess I need to open my mind to it because the numbers speak for themselves. I find myself in a touchy situation at times where my quiet approach can be looked at as arrogant or cocky, and that is the furthest thing from the truth in what Im trying to portray. "Im just trying to say the right things and keep my mind in the right space. I havent let a lot in, and its led to more success. Its kept my work ethic intact, kept me honest and humble. I like that about myself. I really, really do. I dont know if I want to open my mind and let it in, where I stand in the sports world. Its not time for that in my eyes." Brian Moran Jersey . On Thursday theyll learn even more. Despite the cloud of uncertainty that has followed them around from the moment general manager Masai Ujiri was brought in to put his stamp on the franchise, the Raptors have surpassed all pre-season expectations. Wholesale Marlins Jerseys .com) - It may just be the right place and the right opponent for the Detroit Red Wings to snap their longest losing streak of the season. https://www.cheapmarlinsjerseys.us/891r-...ey-marlins.html. TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted on Monday that Hemsky will be going to market as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Monte Harrison Jersey . LOUIS -- Known for his game-managing and defensive skills, Yadier Molina made another statement with his bat. Jesus Sanchez Jersey . - Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery was so busy in free agency he didnt mind having a few extra weeks to prepare for the draft.Syracuse, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Jamison Crowder scored on a 52-yard punt return to break a tie and spark a big fourth quarter that lifted No. 22 Duke to a 27-10 win over Syracuse on Saturday. Anthony Boone passed for 161 yards with two touchdown throws to Issac Blakeney and the Blue Devils (8-1, 4-1 ACC) scored 17 unanswered points in the last 12:45 of the game to finish off their fourth straight win. They moved to 16-1 in their last 17 regular-season games. The Orange (3-7, 1-5) have lost three in a row. It was the first football game between the two traditional basketball powerhouses since 1939. Austin Wilson completed 11 of his 19 passes for 68 yards for Syracuse and Mitch Kimble went 6-of-13 for 37 yards after, with an 8-yard touchdown run that tied the score at 10-10 in the third quarter. But Crowder avoided one would-be tackler after catching a punt near the orange S at midfield, then slipped between two more before racing down the middle of the field for his go-ahead touchdown with 12:455 remaining.dddddddddddd Ross Martins 34-yard field goal followed a failed fourth-down attempt by the Orange and Breon Borders intercepted Wilson for the second time soon after, leading to Blakeneys 54-yard touchdown catch for a 27-10 Duke advantage with 7:13 left. Earlier, the teams traded field goals on back-to-back drives in the first quarter -- with Martin and Syracuses Cole Murphy each drilling a 27-yard kick. Following four combined punts, Boones 22-yard touchdown pass to Blakeney gave the Blue Devils a 10-3 lead with 5:16 remaining in the second quarter. Game Notes Duke is 3-0 in the all-time series with two pre-war wins in 1938 (21-0 in Syracuse) and 1939 (33-6 in Durham). The basketball teams are tied 3-3 in the all-time series, splitting two games last season (Syracuse joined the ACC in 2013) ... Duke played its last road game. The Blue Devils will host their last three games, starting next week against Virginia Tech ... After a bye week, Syracuse plays at Pitt on Nov. 22. ' ' '