TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Johnson Reigns At Martinsville

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 20, 2008

MARTINSVILLE, Va. - Jimmie Johnson won again at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, padding his lead in his bid for a third straight title with four races to go.

The two-time defending series champion led 339 laps in the Tums QuikPak 500 as he and his Hendrick Motorsports teammates dominated once more on the oldest, smallest and trickiest circuit in the Sprint Cup Series.

Johnson won the fall race at this track for the third consecutive time. It was his fifth career victory on the 0.526-mile oval and fourth in the last five races.

"It's just been good to me," he said.

Teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished second, followed by Carl Edwards and Jeff Gordon, giving Hendrick three of the top four spots. The 1-2 finish was the 23rd for the multicar team and third at Martinsville.

"I didn't have anything for Jimmie," Earnhardt said.

"That car was so awesome."

Johnson increased his lead from 69 points against Jeff Burton to 149 against Greg Biffle. Burton started second and finished 17th.

Johnson led seven times in all, passing Gordon for the top spot with 209 laps to go. He then made quick work of Matt Kenseth, who stayed out on the track under caution with 38 to go.

Johnson heads to Atlanta with the largest points lead in the history of the Chase at this point. He's not ready, however, to start thinking about another title.

"It's getting closer," he said. "It's still not time."

OBITUARY: Steve Lawson, a popular NASCAR official, was found dead in his hotel room in Martinsville, Va., on Sunday morning, NASCAR officials said. He was 51.

The cause of death was not announced. Lawson, of Rockford, Ill., worked as an official for stock car racing's governing body for more than a decade, most recently as a safety inspector in the Sprint Cup Series.

He was set to work at Sunday's Tums QuikPak 500. A moment of silence was held before the race.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT