|
By Dave Rodman, Turner Sports Interactive
June 2, 2003
10:38 AM EDT (1438 GMT)
DOVER, Del. -- Jimmie Johnson's chance to score a third consecutive victory at Dover International Speedway ended against the backstretch wall on the 278th lap of the MBNA Armed Forces Family 400.
| |
 |
| The remnants of the No. 48 Chevy's nose. Credit: Autostock |
Johnson, who swept both 2002 races at the "Monster Mile" and was frustrated earlier this season by last-lap mistakes at Talladega and California, didn't wait that long at Dover, as 123 laps remained when he crashed.
While running third behind teammate Jeff Gordon and eventual race winner Ryan Newman, Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet got loose coming off Turn 2, brushed the backstretch wall and then slammed into the inside barrier.
Ward Burton ended up in the garage area about the same time as Johnson, and Burton's No. 22 Dodge trailed a heavy stream of fluid to its garage stall. However, Johnson paid the biggest price.
 | ALSO | | | | | | | | | | |
|
|
"I just lost it off of (Turn) 2," said Johnson, who led 36 laps shortly before he crashed. "Somebody was saying there was some oil down (but) I'd been pretty loose.
"I just lost it, chased it and had it saved a couple times but I ran out of race track and brushed the outside wall. When I did that it turned me back down into the inside wall."
Johnson did enough damage to his car that he was out on the spot. He ultimately finished 38th after eight other cars that had varying degrees of trouble persevered to pass him.
He came into the race fifth in the championship, but lost two spots in the standings, as Bobby Labonte and Michael Waltrip passed him.
 | VIDEO CLIPS |  | Jimmie Johnson loses his chance at three straight Dover wins
Play video |
| | | |
|
|
Johnson is now seventh, unofficially 339 points behind leader Matt Kenseth.
"It's a big disappointment," Johnson said. "I feel bad I let it get away from me. But we'll come back next week."
|
