(UPDATE) -- As the number 48 team celebrates a second consecutive NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship, Jimmie Johnson reflected on the 2007 season. "I'm just so proud of what we've done. When I look back on the season and the victories, we turned around our qualifying effort and won some poles this year and we went out and raced the best in the business for this championship," said Johnson.

Although Johnson would love to have a three peat next year, he know that will be hard to come by. "We have a great crop of talented drivers that are now years two and three in their Nextel Cup careers."

There is plenty more celebrating to do with the awards banquet next week in New York City, but Johnson said Crew Chief, Chad Kanaus is not going to let the celebrating continue too long. "Chad was already talking about going to work for Daytona in his post-race interviews, so I know it's on our guy's minds. They love racing. They love winning."

(UPDATE) -- We will have more on NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson before the week is over, but what about the driver who had one of the best overall Chase performances and, by the way, won Sunday's race at Homestead? The fact that Matt Kenseth worked his way from 12th to fourth in the Chase rankings is no small accomplishment. "I think our performance obviously wasn't quite as good as the 48 and maybe the 24, but I think our performance has been as good or better than any other Chase closing the season out," said Kenseth.

Kenseth's finish to the season was a nice parting gift for his seven-year crew chief, Robbie Reiser, who is moving up to General Manager of Rousch Fenway Racing. "It was an honor and a privilege to work with Matt. I mean, Matt's been just a great friend," said Reiser.

Owner Jack Rousch believes the number 17 will have momentum heading into the 2008 season. "They were able to eventually get data on the Car of Tomorrow and use it well," said Rousch. Kenseth missed some close wins this season, but that may not happen in 2008.