Niece's transplant surgery takes priority for team owner

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Hendrick misses Homestead due to family emergency

NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick skipped Sunday's season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway to be with an ailing family member, while one of his drivers -- Jimmie Johnson or Mark Martin -- battle for the Sprint Cup Series championship.

Hendrick's niece, Alesha Gainey, 29, is listed in critical condition at a North Carolina hospital, as she is scheduled to undergo an emergency liver transplant. Gainey is the daughter of John Hendrick, who was one of 10 people killed in a plane crash near Martinsville, VA in October 2004.

"Rick's priority at this point is supporting his family," Hendrick Motorsports general manager Marshall Carlson said prior to the 400-mile race at Homestead. "He wishes he could be here. He's so proud of his teams but needs to be with his niece and her family."

Martin settles for second

Typically, when a NASCAR driver does something that only Richard Petty and Bobby Allison have done before, it is a sign of excellence.

Not this time, not for Mark Martin.

His wait for a NASCAR championship will last at least another year.

Winner lauds champ, warns he's coming

HOMESTEAD, Fla. Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series season finale capped one championship season and may have jump-started another.

With a fifth-place finish, Jimmie Johnson easily clinched his NASCAR record fourth consecutive Cup title. He has now won championships in four of his eight full-time seasons of competition.

The biggest hudle for Johnson to a fifth title may have been lurking in Victory Lane, where Denny Hamlin was celebrating his win in Sunday’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Hendrick: Take nothing for granted

Through 236 wins and now 12 NASCAR championships Rick Hendrick has learned one thing:

“You can't cash the check until the race is over,” he said.

Johnson reigns supreme again

Sunday's Sprint Cup Series season finale capped one championship season and may have jump-started another.

With a fifth-place finish, Jimmie Johnson easily clinched his NASCAR record fourth consecutive Cup title. He has won championships in four of his eight full-time seasons of competition.

The biggest road block for Johnson to a fifth title may have been lurking in Victory Lane, where Denny Hamlin was celebrating his win in Sunday's Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.