Johnson Sets Dover Win Record
DOVER, Del. - Jimmie Johnson became the all-time winningest driver at Dover International Speedway with his eighth win at the 1-mile track in Sunday's AAA 400.
Johnson broke a tie with Richard Petty and Bobby Allison for the Dover record. Sunday’s victory also is Johnson’s fifth of the season and 65th of his career.
Johnson held on to the lead during a pit stop on Lap 371. He exited first after a two-tire pit stop. He took off on the restart and went on to score the victory.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. started on the pole and shot to the lead when the green flag fell.
The lead changed six times in the first 100 laps with Earnhardt, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch and Ryan Newman.
Earnhardt held the lead after the quarter mark with Johnson second, Newman third, Kenseth fourth and Busch fifth.
Kurt Busch battled handling issues within the first 35 laps and he fell back. His emotion rose on the radio. “They’re going to pass us all ... day," he said.
Earnhardt lost the lead after missing pit entrance on Lap 117. Dover’s pit entrance is among the trickiest on the circuit and it’s not uncommon for at least one driver during the race to miss the entrance. He did, lost track position, and then pitted the following lap. When the green-flag cycle of pit stops ended, Earnhardt had fallen to eighth.
Things got worse for Kurt Busch, who pitted early because of a loose rear wheel and then the caution came out on Lap 166, trapping him in 29th, two laps down.
Johnson moved into the lead just before halfway with Kenseth second and Kyle Busch third. Earnhardt was fourth.
Brad Keselowski’s frustration grew when he pulled into the garage leaking oil to bring out the caution on Lap 229. His last Cup victory came at this track a year ago. His winless drought is 36 races - a full season - heading into next weekend’s race at Kansas Speedway.
Johnson led the Hendrick armada after 300 laps. He led with Earnhardt second and Jeff Gordon third. Kenseth was fourth and Logano fifth. Kyle Busch had fallen to seventh after his car’s handling went away.
The leaders pitted with about 90 laps to go and none could make it to the finish, leading to decisions of making an extra stop or slowing so much that they could make it.
Carl Edwards went to the garage late in the race with mechanical issues.
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