Highlights

Johnson clings on for third NASCAR win of season

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-04-03 08:36

Jimmie Johnson held off Jeff Gordon to win his third NASCAR race of the season at the Goody's 500 in Martinsville, Virginia, on Sunday.

Gordon, hoping to end a long winless streak, constantly barged into Johnson's car in the closing 50 laps but could never take the lead from his fellow Chevrolet driver.

"I'm speechless," Johnson told reporters after his 0.065 second victory.

"To have a duel like that at the end was probably the hardest racing I've ever done.

"He gave me a shot in (turns) three and four (on the last lap), so I just crowded him down."

Points leader Gordon said that although he bumped Johnson frequently, he did not want to force him off the track.

"That's why we finished second and not first," Gordon said.

"If there had been anybody else in second he probably wouldn't have won."

Chevrolets dominated the action, taking the first seven positions in the race which was halted for more than 30 minutes by rain.

Former Formula One driver Juan Montoya was 16th in a Dodge.