Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s / Superman Chevrolet, races Ryan Blaney, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 20, 2016 Photo – Jeff Gross/Getty Images
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s / Superman Chevrolet, pits during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 20, 2016 Photo – Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s / Superman Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 20, 2016 Photo – Jeff Gross/Getty Images
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s / Superman Chevrolet, celebrates after taking the checkered flag during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 20, 2016 Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s / Superman Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 20, 2016 Photo – Jonathan Moore/Getty Images
Jimmie Johnson won the battle between hometown heroes on Sunday, outdueling Kevin Harvick in overtime at Auto Club Speedway
“Awesome teamwork, boys!” Johnson shouted on his radio after taking the 77th checkered flag of his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career, breaking a tie with the late Dale Earnhardt for seventh on the all-time victory list. “There’s nothing like winning at home.”
The six-time series champion from El Cajon got the chance he needed when Kyle Busch blew a tire and hit the turn three wall on lap 198 of a scheduled 200 to cause the sixth and last caution of the afternoon. With the race destined for overtime, the lead-lap cars came to pit road for new tires, with Denny Hamlin leading Harvick and Johnson back on to the track. Continue reading →
