Jimmie Johnson edged Clint Bowyer by .002, the closest margin in NASCAR history to claim victory at Talladega. It was the five time defending Sprint Cup champ’s first victory of the season and he’ll owe an assist to his Hendrick motorsports teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Coming down the final straightaway, Johnson trailed Clint Bowyer, but was pushed ahead about six inches from the checkered flag by Earnhardt, who before the race had been an outspoken opponent of two car draft racing at Talladega saying “just finding somebody to push and just push them” is not how he wants to race.
Jimmie Johnson will be happy he changed his mind…
Chevy’s dominated the top five with Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr & Kevin Harvick finishing in that order. Carl Edwards drove his number #99 Ford to sixth place, which was enough to keep him on top of the Sprint Cup standings after race #8.
Jimmie Johnson and Earnhardt both jumped up into 2nd and 3rd respectively, with Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch rounding out the top five.