Johnson first driver to sweep Daytona since 1982
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A flawless race gave Jimmie Johnson a perfect year at Daytona International Speedway and put him on another exclusive list.
Johnson became the first driver in 31 years to sweep Daytona International Speedway, accomplishing the feat with a dominating run Saturday night for his fourth win of the season. The Daytona 500 winner is the first driver since Bobby Allison in 1982, and the fifth overall, to win both races in a season at Daytona.
“I don’t think I made a bad move tonight. I’m pretty proud of that,” Johnson said. “Gosh, growing up in Southern California and watching Bobby Allison ... to do anything Bobby has done is pretty special.”
The five- time NASCAR champion was the leader on the restart for a two- lap sprint to the finish in overtime Saturday night. He held off Kevin Harvick on the restart, and then pulled out front to a sizeable lead. Tony Stewart moved into second and may have been timing his attempt to make a pass for the lead when a caution in the middle of the pack froze the field.
“We knew it was coming,” Johnson said of the late accident. “Getting down to the end of these things, we knew it was going to get exciting.”
Stewart was second, followed by Kevin Harvick in a Chevrolet sweep. Both thought Johnson’s fast car, once able to get out front, was untouchable. He led 94 of the 161 laps.