JJ's insurmountable lead should be embraced by all

When it's over
That's the time I fall in love again
And when it's over
That's the time you're in my heart again
And when you go go go go
I know
And it never ends
It never ends

Really, what's not to love?

Sugar Ray summed up both the offseason and the season in one verse. The NASCAR season is wrapping up (some would argue it's over, with Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch and Ron Hornaday merely making laps until the coronations at Homestead in three weeks) and we'll all miss the weekly rat race of the circus coming to town. But until then, it just never ends.

So it goes -- much like Johnson steamrolling toward a fourth consecutive Sprint Cup Series championship. After his sixth-place finish at Talladega, this one is pretty much wrapped. The bow will come when he flips the ignition at Homestead on Nov. 22.

Until then, the magic number is 161 -- the maximum number of points a driver can make up (or lose) during one Cup Series race. The math: a maximum of 195 points is available (including a five-point bonus for leading a lap and a five-point bonus for leading the most laps) minus 34 points for a 43rd-place finish.

Johnson holds a Chase-era record 184-point lead after Race 33. (He was 183 points ahead of Carl Edwards at this point in 2008.) Yes, Johnson could sit out Texas and still have a 23-point lead over Mark Martin if he a) won the race; b) led a lap; and c) led the most laps.

Of course, the chances of that happening are zero. However, it's likely Johnson could have a lead in excess of 161 points after Phoenix. So just how awesome would it be for the No. 48 crew to take the green flag at Homestead, then immediately bring the car to Victory Lane and throw a 267-lap party?

For all the accolades accumulated by Johnson and for all the kudos bestowed upon him, it's time to face the facts: The dude could kick Chuck Norris' rump, and he's cooler than the Dos Equis man -- if only because when he does drink beer, it's a brand common folks can pronounce.

During the next three weeks, fans should embrace the fact that Cale Yarborough's 30-year record of three consecutive series titles will fall to the wayside. Prepare yourself for a Hendrick lovefest in Victory Lane at Homestead -- with Jimmie, Chandra, Mr. H, Chad Knaus & Co. reveling in champagne.

Johnson does not deserve to be castigated. He has played the hands dealt to him -- old car, new car -- with the deftness of a concert pianist at Carnegie Hall. His time as a champion is the result of hard work by a lot of people you wouldn't recognize, as well as a level of dedication never before seen in this sport.

As the kids today say: don't hate, appreciate. Wrap your arms around it, folks, because soon it will be over -- the season and the No. 48's incredible streak. Until then, bask in the greatness. You will be among the fortunate to reminisce and say, "I remember when ..." (Continued)