Johnson Wins at Martinsville; Gordon Still Leads Chase

Johnson became the first driver to win three straight Martinsville races since Rusty Wallace won both races of 1994 and the spring 1995 race.

Photo courtesy: martinsvillespeedway.com

MARTINSVILLE, Va. - Jimmie Johnson continued his mastery of Martinsville Speedway Sunday afternoon, picking up his third consecutive NASCAR Nextel Cup victory on the half-mile track.

Johnson took the lead with 44 laps to go and then held off a hard charge from Ryan Newman for his 30th career victory.

Newman was making a run at Johnson on the final lap when David Ragan spun in the second turn, bringing out the race-record 21st caution flag and preserving Johnson's victory.

"I saw Ryan back there and I knew he was hungry; he hasn't won in a while," Johnson said after his seventh victory of the 2007 season. "I was more worried about him in the closing laps than the 24 (Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon)."

It looked to be another shootout between Johnson and Gordon when Newman forced his way past Gordon with nine laps to go. Newman then began to put pressure on Johnson.

"I still wish we had that last lap back" said Newman, referring to the last-lap caution that took away any chance for a final pass. "I got inside of him and then the white and yellow came out. But it was a great run for us."

Johnson was pleased to see that final caution.

"I went into turn three a little hard and washed up into the center of the turn. I opened the door for him (Newman)," said Johnson.

Kyle Busch finished third to give Hendrick Motorsports three of the top-four spots. Matt Kenseth rounded out the top five.

Johnson became the first driver to win three straight Martinsville races since Rusty Wallace won both races of 1994 and the spring 1995 race.

Gordon posted his 24th top-10 finish in 30 Martinsville starts and his 26th top 10 of the season.

"The day was all over the place for us," said Gordon. "I started great, up front, cruising, the car was fantastic, then it went away and we were fine-tuning all day."

Gordon, the pole-sitter, led the first 108 laps of the race and then again from lap 397 to 456 for a total of 168 on the day, the most of any driver.

Denny Hamlin charged from a 30th starting position to finish sixth, followed by Greg Biffle, Juan Pablo Montoya, Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick.

With the win, Johnson trails Gordon in the Chase standings by just 53 points, and Clint Bowyer by 115 points.

Subway 500 Race Results:
Fin Str No. Driver Team Laps Status

1. 4 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's Chevrolet 506 Running
2. 12 12 Ryan Newman alltel Dodge 506 Running
3. 1 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont Chevrolet 506 Running
4. 6 5 Kyle Busch Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevrolet 506 Running
5. 24 17 Matt Kenseth R&L Carriers/DeWalt Ford 506 Running
6. 30 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Freight Chevrolet 506 Running
7. 37 16 Greg Biffle Dish Network Ford 506 Running
8. 26 42 Juan Pablo Montoya # Texaco/Havoline Dodge 506 Running
9. 21 7 Clint Bowyer Jack Daniel's Chevrolet 506 Running
10. 3 29 Kevin Harvick Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet 506 Running
11. 18 31 Jeff Burton AT&T Mobility Chevrolet 506 Running
12. 20 99 Carl Edwards Office Depot Ford 506 Running
13. 34 20 Tony Stewart The Home Depot Chevrolet 506 Running
14. 10 96 Tony Raines DLP HDTV Chevrolet 506 Running
15. 5 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge 506 Running
16. 32 10 Scott Riggs Valvoline/Stanley Tools Dodge 506 Running
17. 19 0 David Reutimann # Dominos.com Toyota 506 Running
18. 29 55 Michael Waltrip NAPA Auto Parts Toyota 506 Running
19. 2 1 Martin Truex Jr. Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats 506 Running
20. 22 25 Casey Mears National Guard/GMAC Chevrolet 506 Running
21. 42 45 Kyle Petty Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil 506 Running
22. 16 43 Bobby Labonte Goody's Headache Powder/Cheerios 506 Running
23. 7 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Budweiser Chevrolet 506 Running
24. 35 15 Paul Menard # Menards/Pittsburgh Paints Chevrolet 505 Running
25. 40 38 David Gilliland M&M's Ford 505 Running
26. 41 6 David Ragan # AAA Ford 505 Running
27. 23 88 Ricky Rudd Combos/Snickers Ford 504 Running
28. 31 66 Jeff Green HAAS CNC Machine Tools/Best Buy 503 Running
29. 13 70 Johnny Sauter HAAS CNC Machine Tools/Yellow 503 Running
30. 33 44 Dale Jarrett UPS Toyota 503 Running
31. 11 2 Kurt Busch Miller Lite Dodge 501 Running
32. 9 26 Jamie McMurray Crown Royal Ford 500 Running
33. 15 49 John Andretti Paralyzed Veterans of America Dodge 492 Transmission
34. 43 21 Bill Elliott Little Debbie Snack Cakes Ford 483 Engine
35. 25 84 AJ Allmendinger # Red Bull Toyota 474 Running
36. 17 22 Dave Blaney Caterpillar Toyota 439 Running
37. 38 40 David Stremme Target House Dodge 410 Accident
38. 36 4 Ward Burton ITT Night Vision/State Water 406 Running
39. 39 7 Robby Gordon MAC Tools Ford 390 Running
40. 14 19 Elliott Sadler Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge 371 Running
41. 41. 28 41 Reed Sorenson Target Dodge 259 Engine
42. 8 18 J.J. Yeley Interstate Batteries Chevrolet 258 Engine
43. 27 1 Aric Almirola U.S. Army Chevrolet 111 Electrical

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