Johnson, 26, the latest phenomenon to hit the Winston Cup Series following the last two rookies of the year, Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick, overpowered veteran Ricky Rudd for the lead on lap 363.

When the seventh caution flew at lap 373, Johnson's No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet was the only lead lap car that did not pit. When the race restarted with 22 laps to go, he jumped to a lead of nearly two seconds over Rudd's No. 28 Havoline Ford before a loosening wheel sent Rudd to the pits. More