Sunday, May 31, 2015

Jimmie Johnson extends Dover win record to 10 wins

Old six-time makes it 10-time at Dover
DOVER, Del. (AP) -- Jimmie Johnson pulled away on the final restart Sunday to win at Dover International Speedway and become the fifth NASCAR driver with 10 or more Sprint Cup victories at a single track.

Johnson led the final 23 laps, staying out on cold tires when other contenders made late race pit stops. The six-time series champion has 10 wins in 27 career starts on the concrete mile track. He needed five extra laps beyond the scheduled 400 because a late accident brought out the caution.

He has four wins this season, 74 in his career and has won at least four times in a season 11 times.

Johnson took his familiar spot in victory lane and took a quick, congratulatory phone call from team owner Rick Hendrick.

''I know what I'm capable of and felt just fine doing it,'' Johnson said. ''And, I've got a great rhythm. I've got great support at home.''

Kevin Harvick was second, followed by Kyle Larson, Kasey Kahne and Aric Almirola.

No active driver owns a track like Johnson does Dover.

Johnson joined NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty (Martinsville-15, North Wilkesboro-15, Richmond-13, Rockingham-11, Daytona-10), Darrell Waltrip (Bristol-12, Martinsville-11, North Wilkesboro-10), Dale Earnhardt (Talladega-10) and David Pearson (Darlington-10) as drivers to win 10 races at a single track.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver swept Dover in 2002 and 2009 and also won races in 2005, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Harvick held a comfortable lead until the field was bunched on a late caution. Kyle Busch, who was in the top five, connected with Brian Scott to end the race for each driver. Busch, who poked his head inside Scott's window for a chat, was unhurt in his second points race since he suffered leg and ankle injuries at Daytona.


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