News and Media Releases

7th Win of the Season for Johnson

15/11/2009

There-Time Champ is Poised to Claim Record-Setting Fourth Championship

Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 Lowe’s team bounced back from a dismal finish one week ago in Texas and dominated Sunday’s Sprint Cup event at Phoenix International Raceway to claim their seventh victory of the season. In addition the three-time champ put himself in position to claim his fourth consecutive Sprint Cup title going into the season’s final event. Fellow Hendrick Motorsports teammates Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon both had solid runs finishing in the top-10 while Dale Earnhardt Jr. had another difficult day finishing 35th.

After taking the lead for the first time on lap 53, Johnson led four different times for 238 laps. With his strong showing he also extended his points lead to 108 over fellow teammate Mark Martin. With the strong lead, Johnson only has to finish 25th or better in next week’s finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Fellow HMS teammate Mark Martin did what he could by finishing fourth. Jeff Gordon also had a solid run finishing ninth, his 24th top-10 finish of the season and the most of any competitor. The duo continues to hold down their respective point positions sitting second and third going into the final race.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. had another rough day after being involved in an on-track incident that sent him behind the wall for repairs. His team got him back on track to finish 35th several laps down to the leaders. Junior dropped one position in the point standings and now sits in the 24th spot.

Flag-to-flag coverage of the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida will take the green flag Sunday, November 22 beginning at 2:30 p.m. (EDT) on ABC.  The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius Satellite Radio beginning at 2:45 p.m. (EDT).