Johnson Takes Martinsville, and Championship Lead

Johnson rolls to his seventh Martinsville win, and grandfather clock (Getty)

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) -- Jimmie Johnson held off Kyle Busch on a restart with five laps to go Sunday and won for the seventh time in his career at Martinsville Speedway.

The five-time series champion moved into the lead in the championship standings, two points over Brad Keselowski with three races remaining.

Keselowski started 32nd, methodically worked his way forward, and took a late gamble to grab the lead on a restart with 19 laps to go. When Johnson and the rest of the leaders pitted for tires, Keselowski was a sitting duck once the race went back to green.

Johnson made the race a points bonanza, leading the most laps and earning three points for the victory.

Busch was second, followed by Kasey Kahne.

MARTINSVILLE RESULTS

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Crew members work on the #11 FedEx Express Toyota of Denny Hamlin in the garage area during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Hamlin seemed to have electrical problems down the stretch that did him in. (Getty)