This hasn't been a typical year for Jimmie Johnson ... yet.

Johnson, who will turn 36 on Sept. 17, has won 54 Sprint Cup races since he became a series regular in 2002. Then there's the matter of five championships. The last five.

This year Johnson has won once. The Pure Michigan 400 marked only his second runner-up finish.

On the other hand, Johnson, who grew up in El Cajon, Calif., ranks second in the point standings, and in his five championship seasons, he has never led the points at the end of the regular season, which is now just three races away.

"I'm very interested to see how this Chase goes," he said. "I think it's the hardest one to predict. It's going to be a close one. I don't know who to make the favorite. We'll just have to see how everybody responds to pressure when it really kicks up."

Johnson may not know whom to make the favorite, but it seems a bit absurd to pick anyone but ... him.

After all, no one else has ever won five straight championships at NASCAR's premier level. He could use a victory or two in the final three regular-season races, but his consistency to this point does rank him second, and consistency is important in the Chase.

Johnson was unable to hold off Kyle Busch at Michigan International Speedway, one of few tracks where he has never won. Afterward, he said his only regret was "not winning."

"I had every opportunity handed to me," he added. "(Crew chief) Chad (Knaus) made an awesome call to get me to pit road before the (next to last) caution (flag) came out. I had a second shot (after the final caution) at (Busch) on the restart and didn't have enough to get by.

"No excuses. I just wasn't able to get him today."

Naturally, Johnson will rely on his experience in the Chase.

"You're going to be tested in all areas," he said. "We all have weaknesses, and we all have strengths.

"Really, the bottom line is being strong or adequate in your weakest areas, and raising that part up so your average is high enough to perform. ... It's really about withstanding pressure in all areas."