Nov. 17 (Bloomberg) -- Jimmie Johnson is already eyeing a record fourth straight Nascar title in 2009.

``It's on our minds,'' the 33-year-old driver said after clinching the championship in Homestead, Florida, yesterday. ``It's not that we're chasing a number, it's just what we're capable of this year. We know we can do better.''

Another championship would put Johnson and his Hendrick Motorsports team in elite company in U.S. professional sports. The list of four-in-a-row champions includes Major League Baseball's New York Yankees and the National Hockey League's Montreal Canadiens and New York Islanders.

Johnson, from El Cajon, California, has won 40 times since he joined Nascar's top division in 2001. Although he's now matched the 1976-78 championship runs of Cale Yarborough, car owner Rick Hendrick feels his driver is underrated.

``I don't think he's gotten the respect he deserves,'' Hendrick said. ``His record speaks for itself. I'm just glad I don't have to race against him.''

Hendrick Motorsports, which now has eight championships in Nascar's top series, including four with Jeff Gordon, is one title shy of matching record holder Petty Enterprises.

``We want four,'' Chad Knaus, Johnson's crew chief since his first full season in 2002, said. ``If we buckle down and we do what we need to do we can be in contention for our fourth championship next year.''

Knaus is the only crew chief in Nascar with three consecutive titles.

Prediction

Yarborough, who retired after the 1988 season, in October predicted that his record would be matched by Johnson and said he was surprised the mark lasted as long as it did.

``Jimmie and his team all are on a roll now,'' the 68-year- old from South Carolina said. ``It's just hard to break that momentum when they get going.''

Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. are tied for the record number of overall Nascar titles at seven. Gordon has the most championships among active drivers.

``At every time in sports there's a point when you talk about dynasty,'' Nascar Chief Executive Brian France said at the presentation of the Sprint Cup and a check for $7.09 million in prize money to Johnson. ``Tonight is when we're going to start talking about dynasty for Jimmie Johnson and the Lowe's team.''

The sentiment of the grandson of Nascar founder Bill France Sr., who began the stock car series 60 years ago, wasn't echoed by the Miami race winner. Carl Edwards, who claimed a series- leading nine races this year, finished second in the championship.

``Jimmie has a chance to make some real history next season,'' the 27-year-old Edwards said. ``I'd be glad to be the guy to deny him that chance.''

      SPRINT CUP CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL STANDINGS
      1. Jimmie Johnson     (Chevrolet)     6,684
      2. Carl Edwards       (Ford)          6,615
      3. Greg Biffle        (Ford)          6,467
      4. Kevin Harvick      (Chevrolet)     6,408
      5. Clint Bowyer       (Chevrolet)     6,381
      6. Jeff Burton        (Chevrolet)     6,335
      7. Jeff Gordon        (Chevrolet)     6,316
      8. Denny Hamlin       (Toyota)        6,214
      9. Tony Stewart       (Toyota)        6,202
     10. Kyle Busch         (Toyota)        6,186
     11. Matt Kenseth       (Ford)          6,184
     12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Chevrolet)     6,127

To contact the reporter on this story: Gene Laverty in Charlotte, North Carolina, at glaverty@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: November 17, 2008 00:33 EST