Under dreary skies in California, Jimmie Johnson earned his 48th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory at Auto Club Speedway holding off Richard Childress racing teammates Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton who finished 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

Rain threatened the race for a good portion of the day but the most it got was a short caution period before going back to green-flag action late in the race.

“California style,” Johnson hollered as he crossed the finish line for his first win of the 2010 season.

The win was the fifth of his career at his home state track.

“Today fortune came our way,” Johnson said in Victory Lane. “Life is good man. We’re glad to be back in victory lane.”

Harvick’s 2nd place run puts him on top of the series point standings but, as exciting as that idea is for him, he knows there is a long season ahead.
“Oh great, only 34 (races) to go,” Harvick said after hearing the news.

Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin finished 4th in front of Joey Logano.

Kurt Busch finished 6th followed by Matt Kenseth and Clint Bowyer. Tony Stewart and Greg Biffle rounded out the top-10.

Red Bull Racing teammates Scott Speed and Brian Vickers ended up 11th and 12th, respectively.

Next week, NASCAR heads to Sin City for the Shelby American GT 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

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