ESPN

Brad Keselowski just needed to finish 15th-or-better to win his first NASCAR Sprint Cup title. He did that, but got some help too when top challenger Jimmie Johnson was forced to the garage with 39 laps to go, ending his day and clinching the championship for Keselowski. That came one week after Johnson crashed out last week at Phoenix. So did Keselowski -- who won Dodge's first series title since 1975 -- win the Cup, or did Johnson lose it?

• THEMVIKINGZ: Jimmie Johnson was trying so hard to psyche him out on ESPN this week. Keselowski basically laghed at it, then went out and took the Cup.
  
  Pretty cool."
• SteelBrightblade: Rooted for brad since he wrecked carl at dega. Just protectin his line. Well deserved"
• Thomasg2488: Gordon finally wins at Homestead and Keselowski (my 2nd favorite driver since racing for Jr.) wins the championship and denied JJ the title. And Lewis Hamilton won a fantastic United States Grand Prix. Perfect race day."
• forums_mp: Congrats Brad! Well deserved. I still think they need to tweak the chase format. Amidst all the mechanical issues a 'grade forgiveness' should be allowed."
• rafter510: I might not be a keselowski fan but well deserved win of the championship there's more in the future to come with his talent level"
• BradSmith71374: Guess he is in trouble next year. Dodge yanked his car and now he will be rolling in the back next year. Dodge thinks highly of their car and drivers. LMAO. Good luck next year Brad. LOL"

Join the conversation or respond by signing in or creating a profile and blogging.

Each week, the NASCAR Now (Weekdays on ESPN2, 3 p.m. ET) crew will select the best burnouts of the past weekend. Which car will come out on top? Well, that's up to you. Watch the video above, cast your vote and tune into NASCAR Now to see who wins!

Each week, the NASCAR Now (Weekdays on ESPN2, 3 p.m. ET) crew will select the best burnouts of the past weekend. Which car will come out on top? Well, that's up to you. Watch the video above, cast your vote and tune into NASCAR Now to see who wins!

1. Is Jimmie Johnson a more impressive champ than Manny Pacquiao?

Manny Pacquiao packs quite a punch, as Antonio Margarito's medical bills will attest after their bout. But even Pacquiao can't match the power Jimmie Johnson has at his disposal when he's behind the wheel. Another weekend brought another chance to celebrate a champion, but is Johnson a bigger deal than Pacquiao?

• "this is Tiger/Federer level dominance, probably even higher." -- SN commenter Dub_M89

A week that AAA estimates will see more than 33 million Americans hit the road seems like a good time to celebrate the best presser of accelerators in all the land. Then again, Jimmie Johnson has to put up with only Kyle Busch. The rest of us get the guy driving a mile on the shoulder to jump everyone waiting to merge.

As we've discussed before, Johnson's dominance in Sprint Cup seems curiously unloved compared to someone like Tiger Woods, but it is dominance all the same. Nobody on his own circuit can catch him, but where does Johnson rank against other athletes who go it alone? Is he more dominant than an aging Roger Federer or a majorless Woods?

• Your Rankings: Is Johnson the top individual-sport athlete in the world?
• Jimmie Johnson chat: The champion stops by to take your questions, 12:30 ET.

Isaac (Indy)

Do you think since NOBODY can seem to beat J.J. it hurts the sport ala people get bored with the same result time after time

David Newton

Did people get bored watching Michael Jordan and the Bulls win NBA titles? Did people get bored watching the New England Patriots win three out of four Super Bowls? Did people get tired of the New York Yankees when they were on a World Series roll? Hey, as I've said all season, enjoy the history. Full transcript

Despite the surprise offseason moves, a recalcitrant wide receiver and a new coaching staff, Broncos fans like settodiablita had something to cheer about in Week 1. Fans are resilient.

These are our favorite photos uploaded this week. If any of the images make you want to trade a franchise player, click them to view a larger picture and to comment. If you have a great picture or saw one you think the world should see, leave a brief description and a link in the Conversation section below.