Johnson wins 2nd straight to charge into Chase

Jimmie Johnson (48) holds the checkered flag at the start-finish line after winning the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008.

By: Associated Press | SCNow
Published: September 07, 2008

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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Jimmie Johnson has stormed into the Chase for the championship by winning his second consecutive race to grab a ton of momentum for his title defense.

The two-time defending Cup champion passed Tony Stewart and Martin Truex for the lead with 34 laps to go on Sunday at Richmond International Raceway. It was the final event before NASCAR's 10-race title hunt begins next week in New Hampshire.

Clint Bowyer locked down the last spot in the Chase for the championship field when David Ragan's gutsy challenge ended because of contact with multiple cars.

The Chase field is Johnson, Stewart, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Bowyer.