California dreamin'

Native son Johnson wins first Cup race in 13th start

Jimmie Johnson is the ninth driver to win a Winston Cup race for Rick Hendrick. AP

FONTANA, Calif. (Ticker) -- Youth was not only served in Sunday's NAPA 500 NASCAR Winston Cup win at California Speedway, it was showcased.

California's own Jimmie Johnson was able to score his first career victory as the 26-year-old driver from El Cajon defeated 23-year-old Kurt Busch's Ford by 0.620 seconds.

"We knew it would be close," said Johnson, who won in only his 13th start. "These guys just let me do my job and we got it done. This is so cool."

An exuberant Johnson celebrated the victory by spinning donuts on the track and eventually blowing up the motor in his Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

"I can't get to Victory Lane, because this thing is broken," Johnson radioed to his crew.

A vicious crash in the fourth turn that involved Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick on lap 229 set up the final dash to the checkered flag. Harvick had a tire deflate and was attempting to pull into the pits. Earnhardt did not see Harvick in time and the cars crashed into each other.

That sent Earnhardt's car shooting into the wall where it slammed hard in a head-on collision. Harvick was treated and released from the infield care center. Earnhardt was able to climb out of the car but was in obvious pain with an ankle injury. He left the care center on crutches.

Following the crash, the green flag waved on lap 237 with Bill Elliott leading Johnson and Ricky Rudd. Johnson and Rudd were able to pass Elliott on the backstretch and began to pull away from the Dodge driver, who did not take new tires during the final round of pit stops.

With 10 laps to go, Johnson held the lead but was being dogged by Rudd. Busch moved up to the rear of Rudd's bumper, setting up a three-car shootout.

Steve Grissom hit the wall with four laps to go, leaving debris on the track. However, NASCAR officials did not drop the yellow caution flag, attempting to finish under green.

Busch and Rudd went into a side-by-side battle, with Busch taking second with three laps to go. By then, Johnson was able to motor away for his first Winston Cup victory.

"It's unbelievable," the rookie said after finally getting to Victory Lane. "It's awesome to do this in California. These guys here believe in me. We knew it was going to be close because of the tires. They let me get my job done and here we are in Victory Lane.

"This is so cool. It's going to sink in as the days go by."

Elliott was fourth in a Dodge, followed by Mark Martin's Ford Taurus.

Jeff Gordon, who co-owns Johnson's car with Rick Hendrick, saw his winless string stretched to 18, but the defending and four-time series champion pulled alongside his protege to bump the side of his car and give the kid a big thumbs-up.

After trotting to Victory Lane to join the celebration, Gordon, who finished a disappointing 24th after losing a lap on an unscheduled pit stop, was all smiles.

"You rock, buddy," he said, hugging Johnson. "I guess we hired the right guy."

Asked if he was surprised that Johnson won so quickly, Gordon, only 30 himself, said, "When the right chemistry gets put together, it doesn't matter how many races you've got under your belt."

Johnson, whose previous best was third last month in Atlanta, admitted he was a little surprised to win so soon.

"Heck, yeah," he said. "You always think you've got enough ability to win, but you never know until you get out there and do it."

In NASCAR's modern era, starting in 1972, Harvick holds the record for earliest win, taking the checkered flag in only his third start in 2001. Earnhardt won in his 12th start.

Busch, who wore a straw hat after the race in honor of team owner Jack Roush, recovering from injuries suffered in an April 19 plane crash, could hardly believe that Johnson had beaten him without taking tires.

"You knew it was going to happen, but you never expect to get beat by fuel only," Busch said. "We just didn't have the right position at the right time."

Chad Knaus, Johnson's crew chief, also got his first victory.

"We knew the car was balanced good and we knew a lot of people would take two tires," he said. "We just had to go for it."

 

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.