It's been 11 weeks since Jimmie Johnson's last victory and he suffered through one of his typical summer swoons. Johnson goes into the Chase opener Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway attempting to kick off a record-tying seventh title run. Only Hall of Famers Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt have won seven. ''I honestly feel better about our chances this year than I did last year on this same day.'' Johnson, who won three races this season and is tied for the second seed in the Chase, stumbled through July with consecutive 42nd-place finishes at Daytona and New Hampshire and was 39th at Pocono and 28th at Watkins Glen. More...