{"id":1291,"date":"2016-03-20T20:40:57","date_gmt":"2016-03-21T01:40:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=1291"},"modified":"2016-03-20T21:04:34","modified_gmt":"2016-03-21T02:04:34","slug":"superman-jimmie-johnson-wins-77th-career-win-at-auto-club-speedway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2016\/03\/20\/superman-jimmie-johnson-wins-77th-career-win-at-auto-club-speedway\/","title":{"rendered":"Superman Jimmie Johnson wins 77th career win at Auto Club Speedway"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Reid Spencer,\u00a0NASCAR Wire Service<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

FONTANA, Calif.\u00a0\u2013 Jimmie Johnson won the battle between hometown heroes on Sunday, outdueling Kevin Harvick in overtime at Auto Club Speedway.<\/p>\n

\"Jimmie

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s \/ Superman Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 20, 2016 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Jonathan Moore\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

“Awesome teamwork, boys!” Johnson shouted on his radio after taking the 77th checkered flag of his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career, breaking a tie with the late Dale Earnhardt for seventh on the all-time victory list. “There\u2019s nothing like winning at home.”<\/p>\n

The six-time series champion from El Cajon got the chance he needed when Kyle Busch blew a tire and hit the Turn 3 wall on Lap 198 of a scheduled 200 to cause the sixth and final caution of the afternoon. With the race destined for overtime, the lead-lap cars came to pit road for new tires, with Denny Hamlin leading Harvick and Johnson back onto the track.<\/p>\n

Hamlin chose the outside lane for a restart on Lap 204, leaving Johnson behind Harvick in the inside lane. Johnson pushed Harvick clear of Hamlin into Turn 1 and dived to the inside of the race\u2019s dominant driver, who had led 142 laps to that point.<\/p>\n

\"Jimmie

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s \/ Superman Chevrolet, celebrates after taking the checkered flag during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 20, 2016 in Fontana, California. Photo by Brian Lawdermilk\/NASCAR via Getty Images<\/p><\/div>\n

Johnson stayed in the gas off Turn 2, ultimately clearing Harvick and pulling away to win by .772 seconds. The victory was Johnson\u2019s second of the 2016 season and his sixth in 22 starts at the two-mile track.<\/p>\n

“I got a great run off of Turn 2, and I thought \u2018Man I\u2019ve got a shot at this thing,\u2019” Johnson said of the opening lap of the final restart. “Which I didn\u2019t expect to have. Harvick has been so fast. I cleared him and kind of got away.<\/p>\n

“We saved our best for last, for sure. I told everybody Superman kicked Batman\u2019s butt and it happened (teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. was driving the Batman car and finished 11th).”<\/p>\n

\"Jimmie

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s\/Superman Chevrolet SS, celebrates his 77th career victory Sunday, March 20, 2016 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. (Photo by Gregg Ellman for Chevy Racing)<\/p><\/div>\n

Driving a No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet adorned with a “Superman” logo to plug the movie “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” Johnson led 25 laps, but his rival from Bakersfield had dominated the event until the final restart.<\/p>\n

“That sucks,” said Harvick, who has finished second 20 times in 77 events since joining Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014, his championship season. “Just way too tight right there. Couldn\u2019t put the throttle down. Wouldn\u2019t turn.”<\/p>\n

Harvick described the late-race caution as a “worst-case scenario.”<\/p>\n

“We weren\u2019t very good on restarts for four or five laps, unless we were all by ourselves,” said Harvick, who nevertheless retained the series lead by 11 points over Johnson. “The No. 48 was able to hang with us, and we just weren\u2019t able to drive it in like I needed to, just didn\u2019t have the front tires turning and the back wouldn\u2019t grip.<\/p>\n

“Still, a good day for us. … We\u2019ll keep at it.”<\/p>\n

Hamlin ran third, overcoming radio problems that left him mired in traffic early in the race. Joey Logano ran fourth, followed by Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who notched his first top five since last year\u2019s spring race at Bristol.<\/p>\n

\"Jimmie

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s\/Superman Chevrolet SS, celebrates his 77th career victory with a wave of the checkered flag Sunday, March 20, 2016 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. (Photo by Garry Eller for Chevy Racing)<\/p><\/div>\n

Rookie Chase Elliott, Carl Edwards, AJ Allmendinger, Brad Keselowski and Jamie McMurray completed the top 10. Polesitter Austin Dillon finished 24th, after a loose wheel forced him to return to pit road after stops under caution on Lap 110.<\/p>\n

Editor’s Note: \u00a0Additional pictures are posted after results and updated point standings.<\/em><\/p>\n

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race – Auto Club 400<\/strong><\/p>\n

Auto Club Speedway<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fontana, California<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunday, March 20, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. (19) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 205.<\/li>\n
  2. (2) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 205.<\/li>\n
  3. (3) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 205.<\/li>\n
  4. (9) Joey Logano, Ford, 205.<\/li>\n
  5. (18) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford, 205.<\/li>\n
  6. (8) Chase Elliott #, Chevrolet, 205.<\/li>\n
  7. (5) Carl Edwards, Toyota, 205.<\/li>\n
  8. (11) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 205.<\/li>\n
  9. (15) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 205.<\/li>\n
  10. (10) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 205.<\/li>\n
  11. (27) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 205.<\/li>\n
  12. (21) Brian Scott #, Ford, 205.<\/li>\n
  13. (24) Brian Vickers, Chevrolet, 205.<\/li>\n
  14. (4) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 205.<\/li>\n
  15. (13) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 205.<\/li>\n
  16. (34) Landon Cassill, Ford, 205.<\/li>\n
  17. (23) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 205.<\/li>\n
  18. (29) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 205.<\/li>\n
  19. (20) Matt Kenseth, Toyota, 205.<\/li>\n
  20. (7) Trevor Bayne, Ford, 205.<\/li>\n
  21. (25) Aric Almirola, Ford, 205.<\/li>\n
  22. (35) David Ragan, Toyota, 205.<\/li>\n
  23. (28) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 205.<\/li>\n
  24. (1) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 205.<\/li>\n
  25. (6) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 205.<\/li>\n
  26. (36) * Cole Whitt, Chevrolet, 205.<\/li>\n
  27. (33) Matt DiBenedetto, Toyota, 205.<\/li>\n
  28. (12) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 205.<\/li>\n
  29. (38) Michael Annett, Chevrolet, 205.<\/li>\n
  30. (26) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, 205.<\/li>\n
  31. (30) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet, 205.<\/li>\n
  32. (17) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 204.<\/li>\n
  33. (16) Chris Buescher #, Ford, 204.<\/li>\n
  34. (39) Jeffrey Earnhardt #, Ford, 200.<\/li>\n
  35. (14) * Ryan Blaney #, Ford, Accident, 195.<\/li>\n
  36. (37) * Josh Wise, Chevrolet, 195.<\/li>\n
  37. (22) Greg Biffle, Ford, Engine, 146.<\/li>\n
  38. (31) Danica Patrick, Chevrolet, Accident, 120.<\/li>\n
  39. (32) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, Accident, 46.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Average Speed of Race Winner:\u00a0 137.213 mph.<\/p>\n

    Time of Race:\u00a0 2 Hrs, 59 Mins, 17 Secs. Margin of Victory:\u00a0 0.772 Seconds.<\/p>\n

    Caution Flags:\u00a0 6 for 33 laps.<\/p>\n

    Lead Changes:\u00a0 26 among 8 drivers.<\/p>\n

    Lap Leaders:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 0; K. Harvick 1-28; C. Edwards 29-33; K. Harvick 34; C. Edwards 35-36; K. Harvick 37-52; J. Logano 53; K. Harvick 54-70; M. Truex Jr. 71-77; J. Johnson 78-82; C. Elliott # 83; M. Kenseth 84-85; K. Harvick 86-105; J. Johnson 106-109; M. Truex Jr. 110; K. Harvick 111-113; J. Johnson 114-123; M. Truex Jr. 124-136; K. Harvick 137-157; J. Johnson 158-159; C. Edwards 160-161; J. Johnson 162-163; J. Logano 164-165; K. Harvick 166-200; D. Hamlin 201-202; K. Harvick 203; J. Johnson 204-205.<\/p>\n

    Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):\u00a0 K. Harvick 9 times for 142 laps; J. Johnson 6 times for 25 laps; M. Truex Jr. 3 times for 21 laps; C. Edwards 3 times for 9 laps; J. Logano 2 times for 3 laps; M. Kenseth 1 time for 2 laps; D. Hamlin 1 time for 2 laps; C. Elliott # 1 time for 1 lap.<\/p>\n

    Top 16 in Points: K. Harvick – 195; J. Johnson – 184; C. Edwards – 171; D. Hamlin – 170; Kyle Busch – 170; J. Logano – 165; Kurt Busch – 148; D. Earnhardt Jr. – 145; B. Keselowski – 142; A. Dillon – 139; M. Truex Jr. – 127; J. Mcmurray – 125; A. Almirola – 120; R. Stenhouse Jr. – 119; M. Kenseth – 113; C. Elliott # – 110.<\/p>\n

    \"Austin

    Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 American Ethanol Chevrolet, and Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet, lead a pack of cars at the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 20, 2016 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk\/NASCAR via Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

    \"Austin

    Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 American Ethanol Chevrolet, and Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet, lead a pack of cars at the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 20, 2016 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

    \"Kevin

    Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet, pits during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 20, 2016 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky\/NASCAR via Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

    \"Kyle

    Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s 75 Toyota, pits during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 20, 2016 in Fontana, California. Photo by Jeff Zelevansky\/NASCAR via Getty Images<\/p><\/div>\n

    \"Kevin

    Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 20, 2016 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

    \"Chase

    Chase Elliott, driver of the #24 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, races Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s \/ Superman Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 20, 2016 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

    \"Jimmie

    Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s \/ Superman Chevrolet, races Ryan Blaney, driver of the #21 Motorcraft\/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 20, 2016 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

    \"Jimmie

    Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s \/ Superman Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 20, 2016 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    By Reid Spencer,\u00a0NASCAR Wire Service FONTANA, Calif.\u00a0\u2013 Jimmie Johnson won the battle between hometown heroes on Sunday, outdueling Kevin Harvick in overtime at Auto Club Speedway. “Awesome teamwork, boys!” Johnson shouted on his radio after taking the 77th checkered flag of his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career, breaking a tie with the late Dale Earnhardt […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1307,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[11],"tags":[63,16,120],"class_list":["post-1291","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-jimmie-johnson","tag-nascar","tag-superman"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-kP","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/ACS_032016_14.jpg?fit=4864%2C2791&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1291","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1291"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1291\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1317,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1291\/revisions\/1317"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1291"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1291"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}