Nascar – Jimmie Johnson remains the master of Charlotte

78th victory in the Sprint Cup, 8th victory in Charlotte (North Carolina), 155 laps led… Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet) once again panicked the counters this Sunday evening, but the return to Victory Lane of the six-time Sprint Cup Series champion means above all a qualification for the next round of the 2016 Chase.

C’est en prenant le meilleur sur Matt Kenseth (Joe Gibbs Racing – Toyota) au restart du 317e tour que Johnson a définitivement pris les commandes de la course avant de franchir la ligne d’arrivée avec 1″474 d’avance sur le champion 2003.

The two drivers remain the only Chasers in the final top 5 of the event as Kasey Kahne (Hendrick Motorsports), Ryan Newman (Richard Childress Racing – Chevrolet) and Kyle Larson (Chip Ganassi Racing – Chevrolet) complete the top 5. Kyle Busch (Joe Gibbs Racing) finished 6th ahead of Brad Keselowski (Team Penske – Ford) and Kurt Busch (Stewart-Haas Racing – Chevrolet).

Several drivers still competing in these play-offs did not have success in Charlotte. Joey Logano (Team Penske) crashed twice into the wall before returning to the garages to repair and finally finishing in 36th place.

Kevin Harvick (Stewart-Haas Racing), who started from pole, suffered electrical problems mid-race and finished in 38th position. The mechanics also played tricks on Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing), an exploded engine prematurely ending the race of the driver of the No. 11 Toyota Camry then in second position.

More impressive, the collective incident initiated by a touch from Martin Truex Jr (Furniture Row Racing – Toyota) on Austin Dillon (Richard Childress Racing) and also involving Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports) at the restart of the 258th lap. The officials were forced to display the red flag to evacuate Dillon's Chevrolet, which hit the protections inside the oval.

Results Charlotte

Find the report of Charlotte's round in Nascar Sprint Cup Series, in AUTO issue 2084hebdo, available tomorrow evening in digital version, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.