Fifth title for Johnson

The outcome of the last 400 miles of the season was uncertain. Starting 39th at the start of the race, Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing) had to work to get back to the lead of the race. If Carl Edwards (Roush Fenway Racing) quickly took control (Roush Fenway Racing is surprisingly efficient on this circuit), Jimmie Johnson was at the front, while Kevin Harvick (Richard Childress Racing) was in between.

Des trois prétendants au titre, Denny Hamlin est le premier à se retrouver en difficulté. Le pilote Toyota a subi une touchette de Greg Biffle (Roush Fenway Racing) le faisant partir en glissade dans l?herbe. Si la Toyota n°11 n?est que peu endommagée, cet incident aura perturbé la course du pilote de la Joe Gibbs Racing.

Jimmie Johnson's (replacement) mechanics (Hendrick Motorsports has never won on this circuit) seemed feverish during this final event. But the Chevrolet performed well on the track, allowing the #48 driver to catch up and stay a good distance from Denny Hamlin. Kevin Harvick tried to keep pace with the leader, but Johnson's good position prevented the driver of the No. 29 from putting pressure on. The Richard Childress Racing driver will finish 3rd, alongside Jimmie Johnson.

Denny Hamlin returned to the lead pack when the last yellow flag of the race was displayed. But Mike Ford, the team's crew chief, warns his driver too late to return to the pits. The Toyota remained on the track and had to refuel under a green flag in the final laps of the race, sealing the fifth for Jimmie Johnson, who finished second behind Carl Edwards, who signed his second victory in a row.

« Circumstances played a role », declared the five-time Champion of the Nascar, who leads Denny Hamlin by 39 points and Kevin Harvick by 31 points. “ The level will have been very high this year. We were stronger than in the last two seasons. Maybe even all four. I'm just proud. »

For his part, the vice-champion can only accept the defeat of a Championship that he lost last week due to a strategic error. “ I'm just disappointed “, commented Denny Hamlin who finished 14th. “ It is now that I can have regrets about this stop I made in the last race. I had a difficult race today, I would have needed a little more luck. It?s all the more a shame as #48 could have been defeated this year. I just have to concentrate on 2011. »