UNITED STATESNews and Media Releases
Another Win for Jimmie Johnson
17/10/2009
Quaker State Driver Increases Points Lead to 90 with Five Races Remaining
"The perfect weekend which is what Chad (Knaus) always wanted to do. Win every practice, qualifying and the race and we got it."
Jimmie Johnson captured his sixth win of the season in Saturday night's running of the Banking 500 only from Bank of America at Lowe's Motor Speedway. In addition the defending Sprint Cup Champion increased his points lead to 90 markers with just five races remaining in the season.
Once again Johnson led the most laps of any competitor taking the top spot five different times for 92 circuits. The three-time champion remained in the top-five for the entire 334 laps before taking the checkered flag and scoring the win.
"So special me getting the win at Lowe's Motor Speedway in the Lowe's car in the final race here at the speedway, the sponsorship," Johnson said from Victory Lane. "What a big day for the overall spectrum. So……just awesome.
"The perfect weekend which is what Chad (Knaus) always wanted to do. Win every practice, qualifying and the race and we got it."
Fellow Hendrick Motorsports driver Jeff Gordon also continued a strong campaign in pursuit of his fifth championship. Gordon finished fourth after leading 64 laps and advanced two positions in the point standings moving into the third spot.
Both Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. had trouble on Saturday night. Martin was able to salvage his run finishing 17th but Earnhardt, Jr. experienced mechanical problems sending him behind the wall. Junior was able to complete the race but was 30 laps down to the leader crossing the start/finish line in the 38th position.
Martin maintained his second-place position in the point standings while Earnhardt remains in the 22nd position.
Flag-to-flag coverage of the Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia will take the green flag Sunday, October 25 beginning at 1:00 p.m. (EDT) on ABC. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius Satellite Radio beginning at 12:15 p.m. (EDT).