NSCS - Goody's 500 3/29

We've seen it often before - the dominant car doesn't always win. In this case, defending race winner Denny Hamlin led the race high 296 laps but couldn't hold on to take the checkered flag.

With 15 laps to go, Jimmie Johnson made a pass for the lead and held on for the win. Johnson lead twice for 42 laps, but we can't forget he knows how to get around the track they call the "paper clip". Johnson won for the fifth time in the last 6 races @ Martinsville. Nick Laham/Getty Images

Johnson & Hamlin had differing views on the pass.

Jimmie Johnson: "If he wants to think that I tried moving him out of the way, he can believe that, but he should watch the video and see that I was inside of him - climbed up on the curb - and he was still coming down. The only reason we touched and the only reason he ended up in the rubber where he couldn't come back and get me was the fact that he chopped me. I patiently worked to get that spot, to get the position inside of him, and he crowded me on the bottom."

Denny Hamlin: "I would've done the same to him and if it comes back around, I will do the same thing. It's just the way it is. At Martinsville, you've got to battle for every inch."



What's your take? Was it simply 'good hard racin'?

Johnson's win marked the 18th cup victory for Hendrick Motorsports @ Martinsville and on the 25th anniversary of Hendrick's very first cup series win. Geoffrey Bodine drove the #5 to victory lane @ Martinsville in 1984.

Jeff Gordon started from the pole and lead early for a combined 147 laps. His winless streak extends to a career-high 47 races. Jeff said he's "not really concerned with this streak" as his focus is on what his team needs to do to win races and win the championship.

Gordon remains the points leader by 89 points over 2nd place Clint Bowyer.

All 4 Hendrick cars finished in the top 8. Jeff Gordon finished 4th, Mark Martin 7th and Dale Earnhardt Jr 8th.

There were 12 cautions for 66 laps and 13 lead changes among 7 drivers:
J. Gordon 1-43; D. Blaney 44; S. Speed # 45-56; J. Gordon 57-140; J. Mayfield 141; J. Gordon 142-155; D. Hamlin 156-342; J. Gordon 343-348; D. Hamlin 349-354; B. Labonte 355; D. Hamlin 356-429; J. Johnson 430-455; D. Hamlin 456-484; J. Johnson 485-500.

For complete (unofficial) results, click this link...