FONTANA, Calif. (AP) – Jimmie Johnson pulled away in overtime to beat Kevin Harvick on Sunday for the Southern California native’s record sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory at Fontana.
Johnson was third on the late restart, but surged past leader Denny Hamlin while giving a little bump to Harvick. He side-drafted Harvick and easily got away for his 77th career victory.
Johnson clocked his fastest lap of the race to claim his second win of the young season, adding Fontana to Atlanta. The six-time series champion has won three of his last eight races after a 20-race winless skid.
Harvick was in position to win for the second consecutive week when second-place Kyle Busch blew a tire with two laps to go, forcing the race into overtime.
