subject: Nascar - Jimmie Johnson Wins At Fontana And Leads The Chase [print this page] Jimmie Johnson, three-time NASCAR champion, was the overall winner last Sunday at the Auto Club Speedway Circuit, an event that stood as the fourth race of the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
Johnson made his presence felt in Fontana, giving the kind of top-notch performance that makes him one of the favorites for the big title of the season. Beginning from third place on the grid, the driver of the #48 Chevrolet Impala ended up leading 126 of the 250 scheduled laps, skillfully maneuvering around all the incidents that might, for a lesser driver, have otherwise marred his victory.
Although Johnsons leadership was challenged nearly 30 times throughout the race, the Hendrick Motorsports driver stayed calm under pressure. He managed to recapture the lead after almost every restart during the race.
The route, an extensive 500 miles, offered numerous obstacles to even the most skilled drivers; every stop and restart seemed to be a personal attack against Johnson, an attempt to impede his smooth performance. But Johnson advanced lap after lap, a machine that refused to fall behind.
From the beginning, he maintained a close tail on those who started out in front. And by the end of the competition, Johnson was just behind Jeff Gordon, who stood at first. A serious accident had paused the competition, and the race had recently been restarted. Johnson, however, was not content with second. He accelerated deeply, surpassing Gordon in a tight battle with only six laps to go in the race. Johnson held his position until he crossed the finish line; the checkered flag marked first place.
Gordon arrived second, and Juan Pablo Montoya took third to complete the podium.
With the victory - his fifth of the season - Johnson earned 195 points, bringing his total to 5,728 points for first place in the drivers standings. Mark Martin, previously in first, has fallen to second with 5,716 points; Martin finished fourth at Fontana, for which he earned 165 points.
Montoya, a driver from Colombia, also poses a significant threat in the competition. Although Montoya has yet to achieve first-place in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, he has remained a constant driver; in fact, he is the only driver to have placed in the top five positions in the last four races.
And, with 5,670 points, Montoya is not to be sneezed at. If he manages to take a title in the next races, he has a chance at winning the championship.
"We have not lost ground in the standings, but we have to make the big stroke with a win, which I hope will come soon, although there is no pressure. The team again has done a great job," said Montoya.
The next event in the Chase is on Sunday, October 18th at Lowes Motor Speedway. The event will mark the historic circuits 50th anniversary; it will also offer a chance for the other top drivers to grab for a chance at the title.
