JOHNSON GETS PUSH FROM EARNHARDT TO WIN AARON'S 499

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April 18, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -Teamwork is often a forgotten concept in a sport like stock car racing, where individual accomplishment gains the most attention. Jimmie Johnson didn't forget the concept at the Aaron's 499 race at Talladega Speedway Sunday, April 17. His Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Dale Earnhardt Jr., gave him a push at the finish, giving Johnson his first win of the season and 54th of his career. 

 

 

The last-second push was critical to Johnson's win as the El Cajon native and Granite Hills alumni edged out Clint Bowyer by only a foot in a photo finish.

 

The margin of victory was officially 0.002 seconds, tying the 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 for the closest finish in NASCAR history since the association began using electronic timing in 1993. In that race, Ricky Craven nosed ahead of Kurt Bush at Darlington Speeway in South Carolina.

 

Another record that was tied was the 88 lead changes with 26 different cars taking the lead throughout the race. The record was set for the first time at last year's Talladega spring race. 

 

The finish was three cars wide with Johnson and Bowyer finishing a half car length ahead of Jeff Gordon at the finish line. Johnson felt so much gratitude for what Earnhardt did to help that he offered Earnhardt his checkered flag. Earhardt made the decision to help Johnson after it was apparent that he could not win the race. Both teammates spent much of the race towards the rear of the field before making their move in the latter stages. 

 

While Johnson ended a winless streak at 15 races, Earnhardt's winless streak extended to 101 consecutive races without a win. In spite of the futility, Earnhardt is sixth in the 2011 Sprint Cup Series standings while Johnson is fourth. 

 

 


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