Jimmie Johnson won the UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowes Motor Speedway, scoring his 18th NASCAR NEXTEL Cup victory in his 142nd career start.
Johnson climbed from third to second in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings. He is tied with Tony Stewart, each with 5,777 points. Stewart gets the first-place position because of his five victories opposed to Johnsons four.
Johnson scored his fourth victory in 2005. His last victory came at Dover in September 20, three races ago. Johnson has scored 19 top-10 finishes in 31 races in 2005.
Johnson moved into a tie with Geoffrey Bodine, Neil Bonnett and Harry Gant for 34th on NASCARs all-time winners list.
Johnson has won four straight races at Lowes Motor Speedway. The last driver to win four straight at a track was Dale Earnhardt Jr., at Talladega.
This is Johnsons fifth win and eighth top-10 in nine races at Lowes Motor Speedway.
This is the sixth straight win by a Chevrolet at Lowes Motor Speedway.
The 17 leaders in the UAW-GM Quality 500 tied the record for the most leaders in the fall race at Lowes Motor Speedway set in October 1987.
The 15 cautions is an record for the fall event at Lowes Motor Speedway. The 22 cautions here in May is the track record.
Johnson scored the 13th victory for car owner Rick Hendrick at Lowes Motor Speedway, the most of any owner. This was Hendricks 138th victory as a car owner and eighth in 31 races this season (Jimmie Johnson -four, Jeff Gordon – three and Kyle Busch – one).
This is the 15th victory by a Chevrolet in 2005. Ford has 13 and Dodge has three.(NASCAR Statistical Services)(10-16-2005)
