Johnson extends contract, wins pole

HOMESTEAD, Fla., Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Jimmie Johnson signed a contract extension through 2015 Wednesday and then went out and won the pole for the final Sprint Cup race of the year.

Johnson is within reach of winning a record fourth consecutive points championship in NASCAR's top series. He needs only to avoid a wreck or major engine problems to do so.

He won the pole for Sunday's Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway by clocking 173.919 miles per hour for one lap around the 1.5-mile oval. It was his fourth pole of the season and the 23rd of his Sprint Cup career.

Johnson holds a comfortable 108-point lead over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin heading into the season-ending race. If Johnson finishes 25th or better, he will clinch the title no matter what Martin does.

Earlier in the day, Johnson and team owner Rick Hendrick announced Johnson's contract extension.

"Jimmie is charting new territory in our sport, and that's due to a combination of natural talent and unsurpassed work ethic," Hendrick said. "There's no question that he's one of the great champions in all of sports, and he's not done yet."

Also Friday, Lowe's, the primary sponsor of Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet, signed a contract extension through 2013.

Martin qualified fourth for Sunday's race. At age 50, Martin is attempting to become the oldest driver to win a Cup title. He has finished second in points four times (1990, '94, '98 and 2002).

"It was a great race car, but it wasn't a great lap," Martin said.