Six-time. All time.

Editor's Note: Peter will return next week with a new edition of "Fumes." - WG

By Peter M. De Lorenzo

Detroit. With Jimmie Johnson's sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship in hand, not only is the hand-wringing over about who is the best NASCAR driver of his era, the debate about who is the greatest driver in NASCAR history is officially over as well. Jimmie Johnson is simply the best driver who has ever gotten behind the wheel of a stock car, for any number of reasons. And no, this perspective isn't meant to demean or denigrate Richard Petty's or Dale Earnhardt's seven championships each, and I'm not attaching an asterisk delineating this era as opposed to previous eras either. 

Why?

First of all, the competition Johnson has had to face is so much tougher. Simply put, there are a dozen drivers in NASCAR's top category who can win any given race, and there are at least a half-dozen more capable of winning too. Johnson's consistency in the most competitive arena in NASCAR history is simply staggering, winning 66 times and delivering six championships in twelve full seasons of NASCAR racing.

Secondly, Johnson's consistency has been there throughout NASCAR's death march of a schedule, which is, even when considering the ludicrous NBA and NHL schedules, the most ridiculous, ball-busting, excruciatingly long schedule of any sport. Johnson has been able to win races and championships consistently in this environment, which is the mark of an all-time great.

And finally, Johnson can win from the front or while coming from behind, through adversity or through clear sailing, on any track configuration and on any given race weekend.

Is Johnson the most talented driver in NASCAR? No, I still think Kyle Busch has the most talent, but he certainly hasn't been able to apply it with the consistency necessary to be part of this discussion. Dominating Nationwide races consistently - as Busch has - is one thing, but winning in Sprint Cup is another thing altogether.

Johnson is clearly the most complete driver in terms of speed, race craft, the will to win and day-in, day-out consistency. And the combination of Johnson and his gifted crew chief Chad Knaus has simply been unbeatable. And yes, the depth and breadth of Hendrick Motorsports has a lot to do with Johnson's success but make no mistake, that organization doesn't steer the wheel or push the pedals for him.

Jimmie Johnson is simply the best ever and what he has accomplished is mind-boggling to contemplate.

I'll close with this: Even though I have been and will remain NASCAR's staunchest critic, the distinction I always make is that my criticism is aimed at the powers that be in NASCAR, not at the talented drivers, technical people, crews and all the support people at work below the NASCAR hierarchy who still do it for The Love of the Game.

Congratulations to Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus and the entire Hendrick Motorsports organization for another dominating year and another NASCAR championship.

Six-time. All time.

(Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/HHP for GM/Chevrolet Racing)
Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus celebrate winning the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Sunday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida.

(Photo by Harold Hinson/HHP courtesy of GM/Chevrolet Racing)
Chad Knaus, Rick Hendrick and Jimmie Johnson before the start of the NASCAR season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

(Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/HHP courtesy of GM/Chevrolet Racing)
Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Lowe's Chevrolet SS) on his way to the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday.

(Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/HHP courtesy of GM/Chevrolet Racing)
Jimmie Johnson: Six-time. All time.

Publisher's Note: As part of our continuing series celebrating the "Glory Days" of racing, we're proud to present another noteworthy image from the Ford Racing Archives.

(Photo by Dave Friedman, courtesy of the Ford Racing Archives)
Sebring, Florida, March 26, 1966. The No. 4 AJ Foyt/Ronnie Bucknum Holman & Moody Ford Mk II was equipped with a special racing automatic transmission. The duo qualified in tenth position and finished in twelfth place. Ken Miles/Lloyd Ruby (No. 1 Shelby American Ford GT-X1 "roadster") won the race, stomping the field by twelve laps. The No. 3 Holman & Moody Ford Mk II driven by Walt Hasgen/Mark Donohue was second and Skip Scott/Peter Revson (No. 19 Essex Wire Corporation Ford GT40) finished third. Check out the photo set here.

Publisher's Note: Like these Ford racing photos? Check out www.fordimages.com. Be forewarned, however, because you won't be able to go there and not order something. - PMD