Hamlin Edges Johnson for Home Track Win October 25, 2009
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Denny Hamlin leads Jimmie Johnson at Martinsville.
Denny Hamlin may not win the Spring Cup in 2009, but he had Jimmie Johnson’s number Sunday at Martinsville.
Hamlin, a Virginia native, held off the reigning Cup Series champ and current points leader on three restarts during the last 50-plus laps of the race to win at one of his home state’s two tracks.
It ended Johnson’s run of five Martinsville wins in the previous six races at NASCAR’s shortest track. Between the two of them, Hamlin and Johnson account for all the Cup Series wins at the track.
After the race, Hamlin said it took his car took a few laps before it would come to him. His team pitted off-sequence with a two-tire stop, gaining valuable track position he was able to maintain in the last 50 laps.
In the spring Martinsville race, Johnson was able to pass Hamlin for the win by nudging him out of the way. But in the first Martinsville race since the creation of the double-file restart rule, Johnson and Hamlin restarted side-by-side, adding a new element to the racing at the half-mile track. (more…)
Johnson’s Perfect Weekend Bolsters Chase Run October 18, 2009
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While Jimmie Johnson dominated in his Lowe's Motor Speedway win, it was a less successful day for teammate Mark Martin.
With all the success Jimmie Johnson and his No. 48 team have had during his historic run of three-consecutive championships and 45 career wins, he’s never been able to deliver one thing to perfectionist crew chief Chad Knaus – leading the time sheet during all the weekend’s practice sessions, winning the pole and the race.
But in his sponsor Lowe’s last race as sponsor of the track located deep in the heart of NASCAR country, it seemed like an only appropriate venue for Johnson to finally deliver. After all, Johnson had dominated at the track for years early in his career, but hasn’t visited victory lane since 2005. (more…)
Johnson Takes Wins, Points Lead at Fontana October 11, 2009
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Jimmie Johnson took the checkered flag and the points lead at the Auto Club Speedway's inaugural Chase race.
And so it begins.
In the Auto Club Speedway’s debut as a Chase track, reigning three-time champ Jimmie Johnson took the checkered flag and took control of the Sprint Cup Series points lead.
It’s the fifth win for the No. 48 team this year, and Johnson’s fourth win at the track.
Johnson led 126 laps, but didn’t seal the deal until he held off the field in a number of double-file restarts that followed a series of wrecks, including an eight-car incident that brought a 22-minute long red flag period with just six laps remaining. (more…)
Stewart Marches Back to Points Lead with Kansas Win October 4, 2009
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Tony Stewart took two tires on the last pit stop to take the checkered flag at Kansas
Tony Stewart lost his position atop the Sprint Cup Series points standing when Mark Martin made the Chase and the field was reset based on wins. But he made some progress in fighting his way back to the top by winning at Kansas.
A quick pit stop put Stewart out front at the end of the race, and the No. 14 cut his deficit from 106 points to 67 in the Sprint Cup points standings with his fourth win of the season.
“He’s like that. He’s a little gutsy. That’s a good thing,” Stewart said of crew chief Darian Grubb’s decision to take two tires on the last caution. “You don’t question him; you just know it’s the right thing to do.” (more…)