Jimmie Johnson scrambled back to finish ninth after incurring a drive-through penalty. Credit: Autostock
By Ryan Smithson, Turner Sports Interactive
April 20, 2004
4:02 PM EDT (2002 GMT)
FORT WORTH, Texas -- Jimmie Johnson easily had a car that could have contended in the closing laps of the Samsung/Radio Shack 500, but a minor mistake in the pits cost him a lap, and a shot at the win.
 | VIDEO CLIPS |  | Jimmie Johnson is penalized for a pit violation.
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Johnson, who spent 208 of the 334 laps in the top 10, was running with the leaders on Lap 262 when he came in for four tires and fuel.
Johnson's crew completed their work on the right side of the car, but the left rear tire rolled across the pit box line.
Johnson was forced to serve a drive-through penalty from NASCAR. Instead of racing for the lead with just 72 laps to go, Johnson was forced to fight to get back the lap he lost due to the penalty.
But Johnson rallied on the closing laps. On Lap 300, Johnson took advantage of a caution to take on four tires.
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He began picking off cars after the final restart -- he made up six more positions in the final 34 laps.
Johnson wound up ninth, which kept him sixth in the points, 109 behind leader Kurt Busch.
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