NASCAR's Brickyard Belongs To Johnson

 

Jimmie Johnson Finally Wins Brickyard 400
By Ron Felix

In a quest for his first Nextel Cup championship, Jimmie Johnson once again battled back from adversity, to win the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Johnson left this race last year dazed and confused after a blown tire put his Chevrolet into the wall and left him with a minor concussion. This year Johnson must have had a minor flash back on lap 40 when his left front tire went flat. Johnson limped around to the pits for a new tire and repairs. It was just at that time that NASCAR had planned a competition caution and on the restart Johnson restarted in 38th place. He steadily worked his way to the front and took the lead for good with nine laps to go. The victory for Johnson is his fourth in 2006, tying Kasey Kahne for the most this season, his 22nd career win in 168 races and he lengthens his Nextel Cup points standings lead to 107 over second-place Matt Kenseth. Johnson has now been ranked among the top 10 in points for 90 consecutive races.

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Johnson led three times for 33 laps but Jeff Burton led the most, six times for 87 laps. Johnson scored his 17th top-10 finish in 21 races this season. He has top-15 finishes in 19 of the 21 races this season. Johnson moved to 26th on NASCAR’s all-time winners list, tying Terry Labonte and his four victories this year.

"I just took a cool down lap and I guess it'll take a little time to soak in," Johnson said. "I just saw Greg Zipadelli coming down pit road and he said, 'Today is a special day'. And the look in his eyes and on his face and that feeling setting in -- I'm speechless right now. I can't thank this race team for all that they've done. We overcame a left front flat tire and rallied back. We drove all the way to the front. I'm totally speechless. I'd just like to thank everybody at Hendrick Motorsports for the hard work..and Lowe's and all the employee-owners. I never thought I'd ever win at this race track - we've had such a drought at this race track -- and now we've got a victory." more on Johnson's Brickyard win and Watkins Glen this weekend