Johnson Wins at Texas, Chasers Brawl

Originally written for CLNS Radio.

Jimmie Johnson won at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday to pick up his fourth victory of the season.
 

Photo courtesy Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

Johnson had a dominant car throughout the day, leading 191 of 341 laps.  Johnson said his team has continued to work hard even after being eliminated from the Chase.

“We’re not in the Chase and we’re not where want to be, fighting for the championship,” Johnson said.  “We’ll always keep fighting and trying to make our cars better.”

Johnson’s victory, however, will not be the most talked about part of the race.  During the first green-white-checkered finish, Brad Keselowski and Jeff Gordon made contact fighting for the lead.  The contact cut down Gordon’s left-rear tire, and relegated him to a 29th-place finish.

Photo courtesy ESPN.

After the race, Gordon confronted Keselowski on pit road.  After Kevin Harvick came over and shoved Keselowski, a fight between Gordon and Keselowski’s teams broke out.  Both drivers were left with bloody and bruised faces.

Johnson said the high emotions in the garage are a part of the new Chase format.

“We’re all in the position to win the championship and this is what happens.  I’m sure it was highly entertaining today.”

Unofficial results:

1. Jimmie Johnson

2. Kevin Harvick

3. Brad Keselowski

4. Kyle Busch

5. Jamie McMurray

6. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

7. Kyle Larson

8. Kurt Busch

9. Carl Edwards

10. Denny Hamlin

11. Tony Stewart

12. Joey Logano

13. Greg Biffle

14. AJ Allmendinger

15. Ryan Newman

16. Brian Vickers

17. Paul Menard

18. Casey Mears

19. Martin Truex Jr.

20. Justin Allgaier

21. Austin Dillon

22. Michael Annett

23. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

24. Aric Almirola

25. Matt Kenseth

26. Cole Whitt

27. Marcos Ambrose

28. Clint Bowyer

29. Jeff Gordon

30. Michael McDowell

31. J.J. Yeley

32. David Ragan

33. Reed Sorenson

34. David Gilliland

35. Timmy Hill

36. Danica Patrick

37. Joey Gase

38. Kasey Kahne

39. Trevor Bayne

40. Brett Moffitt

41. Josh Wise

42. Alex Bowman

43. Landon Cassill

Photo courtesy Chris Graythen/Getty Images