Johnson nonplussed after last-lap spinout

LAS VEGAS -- All Jimmie Johnson lost were three positions.

But when you spin out in the final corner on the last lap, it seems like you lose a lot more than that.

	Jimmie Johnson

Johnson and Sterling Marlin were fighting for eighth place in Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway when the two got together in turn 4.

Marlin was the winner, as he crossed the finish line eighth. Johnson, however, was the big loser. His car kicked sideways and did a half-spin off the corner, and John Andretti was fortunate not to drill Johnson in the door.

Angry and frustrated, Johnson saved his car from hitting anything, and slowly crossed the line some 45 seconds after race winner Matt Kenseth. Johnson stormed around the track, apparently in pursuit of Marlin, but Marlin was too far ahead. Johnson pulled onto pit road, stopped, and then whipped his car into the garage area.

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"We're slipping back through the pack racing hard at the end to try to stay in the top 10 there and get every point that I could," Johnson said. "We went down into 3, and the 40 got into me. I saw the video on TV. I don't really know what happened to that point.

"I hope it wasn't intentional. I raced clean with everybody all day long and don't put a tire mark on anyone, and then I get turned coming to the checkers and lose a few more spots. It kind of bums me out there."

Marlin, meanwhile, climbed out of his car and hurriedly left the track without comment.

Johnson ended up 11th, the final car on the lead lap. He led once for two laps and ran in the top five much of the day. Crew chief Chad Knaus changed only right-side tires on their final pit stop -- a move Johnson disagreed with -- which got Johnson some track position but cost him in the long run.

"We put rights on. We thought we could save a little time because we didn't need a full tank a fuel," Johnson said. "It just didn't work out for us. It was a great gamble. It's worked at other places and didn't work here today."