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Jimmie Johnson is celebrating today after a victory yesterday in the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Kevin Harvick led for 131 laps, but Johnson took the lead after making a faster green-flag pit stop than Harvick. Towards the end of the race, Johnson led Harvick by about five seconds when a yellow flag forced overtime after Ryan Newman spun following a blown tire.
In overtime, Johnson continued to hold the lead when a late crash forced caution. Johnson went on to win the race under the caution flag.
.@JimmieJohnson holds off the field in overtime to take home the W! #FoHQT500 https://t.co/Md7FxBNQDO
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 28, 2016
Johnson’s victory marks his 76th Nascar Sprint Cup Series victory, which ties him for seventh in all-time wins with the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. Following the race, Earnhardt’s son, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., took to Twitter to congratulate Johnson.
Congrats to my friend and teammate @JimmieJohnson on tying my father today in Cup wins. Proud to have ran 2nd on this momentous occasion.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) February 28, 2016
Johnson said he had to pay respect to Earnhardt following his victory. On his victory lap, Johnson held up three fingers to commemorate the number of Earnhardt’s car.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. finished second, Kyle Busch finished third, Kurt Busch finished fourth, and Carl Edwards finished fifth.
