(Image Source: Kansas City Star)

BY MOLLY HULSEY

ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

Drivers, start your engines.

With six races left, NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson revved up his personal race for the Chase Sunday with a victory at the Kansas Speedway, putting him just four points behind leader Carl Edwards, and snapping a 21-race losing streak.

“Just three weeks ago, skeptics were counting Johnson out of contention when he fell to 10th place in the standings after the first race in the Chase. With another 1.5-mile track coming up next week at Charlotte, the man they call ‘Five Time’ could be clearing his trophy case for No. 6.”

Just how did the five time Chase champ move from the back marker to the head of the field so quickly? The News Tribune says it all started in the garage.

“Jimmie Johnson didn’t qualify where he wanted, and his car never quite cooperated during the final practice session at Kansas Speedway. So he spent Saturday evening in the garage... That dedication, that attention to detail, is a big reason he’s chasing his sixth consecutive Cup title."

To ESPN’s Ricky Craven, Johnson and his crew are like a fine wine... just getting better with age.

“First off, this guy’s an athlete. He is better prepared than most drivers, the team is better prepared than most drivers... It’s hard to imagine that they are better today than any point in the last five years, but I wouldn’t rule it out.”

No reason to use the rear view mirror. Yahoo! Sports’ Jay Hart takes a look ahead at the rest of Johnson’s path to trophy six.

“The next couple of tracks are very good to Johnson, they’re pretty good to [Kevin] Harvick, they’re OK to [Carl] Edwards. If all three of those guys can get through those races, Phoenix could ultimately be the deciding race in this year’s Chase.”

With two victories under Johnson’s belt this year, a Fox Sports analyst thinks another big win is possible.

“Don’t be surprised to see another commanding performance from Johnson. For the past five years, winning the season finale hasn’t mattered when it comes to deciding the championship. Johnson just had to be good enough — and he always is.”

Johnson will try to make another leap in the standings Saturday at the Charlotte track.