Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 3, 2013
Photo – Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Jimmie Johnson produced a championship caliber performance Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway. Johnson paced the field for most of the day and if he wasn’t up front, he was more than likely in the top three. This is the type of race where Johnson shows why he’s a five-time champion. Commanding a race isn’t an easy task, but Johnson did that and then some on in this event.

Carl Edwards began the day on the pole, but it didn’t take long for Johnson to take the lead. The No.48 made its first appearance at the front on lap 10. Edwards and Johnson exchanged the lead a few more times on restarts following some quick cautions.

Coming into the race, Jeff Gordon’s title shot was very much alive. Following the race, his title hopes are gone. Gordon brought out the caution on lap 74 when he slapped the turn two wall.

Matt Kenseth caught a pit road penalty for speeding around lap 100, affecting the No.20 team’s chance at competing with Johnson.

Johnson had his share of pit road problems too when a slow stop cost the No.48 the lead during a round of green flag stops. However, that didn’t prevent the best car of the day from returning to the front. He made his way to the lead once again with 79 laps remaining. Johnson held that spot for most of the race and from that point to the end.

In the late going. Johnson had no challengers and the No.48 finished off his domination with a victory; his second of the Chase. He was out front for a whopping 255 of 334 laps of the race.

With the win, Johnson takes a seven point advantage in the point standings. Matt Kenseth finished fourth, but now has seven points to make up in the last two races. The same story unfolded last season when Johnson won Texas and Brad Keselowski trailed by seven points going into Phoenix. Johnson then suffered problems at Phoenix and Homestead-Miami, allowing Keselowski to take home the championship. Could history repeat itself? It’s possible, but in this wild season, anything could happen.

Results via ESPN.com