Jimmie Johnson Wins At Martinsville With An Eye On Another Title

Six-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson has earned a spot in the final four for a seventh title.  Johnson won for the ninth time at Martinsville and for the fourth time this season to guarantee himself a shot at tying the record for most Cup championships in a career.  Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt share the all-time record.

Johnson passed Denny Hamlin to take the lead on lap 409 of 500 and at one point had a lead of more than two seconds.  He held off Brad Keselowski at the end by a comfortable margin.  Denny Hamlin came in third with Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch completing the Top 5.  Pole sitter Martin Truex, Jr. came in seventh.

So with a guaranteed shot at the title at Homestead, Johnson leads the Cup grid standings, followed by Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch.  Joey Logano stands fifth followed by Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch and Carl Edwards.

A tough day for Edwards.  He blew a tire and hit the wall sending his car to the garage for repairs.  He finished 36th, 23 laps down and stands 32 points behind Kyle Busch for the final Championship Four position.