Johnson blames self after late collapse

CONCORD, N.C. -- As the Coca-Cola Racing Family 600 neared conclusion Sunday night at Lowe's Motor Speedway, it became quite apparent that the only person who could beat Jimmie Johnson was Jimmie Johnson.

Somehow, it happened.

Despite being untouchable from the outset, a pit road mishap cost Johnson his second career Winston Cup Series victory.

"I had my fork dug into the cake and I was ready to take a big ol' bite out of it," Johnson said. "Well, that cake fell off my fork right onto the floor."

As he was for 263 of the 400 laps Sunday, Johnson was the race leader on lap 359 when he encountered the lapped-car of Hut Stricklin. Coursing through Turn 4, Johnson hit Stricklin, sending the No. 23 Dodge into the Turn 4 wall and bringing out the day's ninth caution.

Johnson locked up the brakes as Stricklin slid up the track in front of him, and only barely avoided contact. Unable to make it the final 41 laps on fuel, Johnson was forced to pit. The rest of the leaders followed suit.

At that point, Johnson's dominance ended.

For the second time in three stops, Johnson overshot his pit box, costing his team vital time on pit road. He reentered the track in ninth position, and was only able to get back to seventh.

"To dominate like we did throughout the day and a mistake on my behalf, I can't tell you how extremely disappointed I am," Johnson said. "That tells the tale. I can't blame it on anyone but myself. You're a hero one lap, and another you're a zero."

Johnson's first two weeks at Charlotte in the Winston Cup Series proved quite fruitful. He was dominant in The Winston, winning the first two segments and $100,000 before being inverted to 10th place, and finishing fifth overall. The story was much the same Sunday.

Though dejected, Johnson was able to see the bigger picture.

"When you look at the big picture, it's a great accomplishment," Johnson said. "I have to remember that we're rookies -- this is our 14th race. We're now fifth in points - so to at the big picture, it's not as painful.

"But we won at California and we've got that taste of victory, and we want to keep doing it. To be this close and not bring home the trophy was a disappointment."