Johnson cruises to 3rd win in NASCAR All-Star race

By Jenna Fryer

Associated Press

Published: Saturday, May 19 2012 9:06 p.m. MDT

Kyle Busch, right, and Jimmie Johnson, left, battle during the NASCAR Sprint All-Star auto race in Concord, N.C., Saturday, May 19, 2012.

Terry Renna, Associated Press

Enlarge photo»

Summary

Jimmie Johnson won his third All-Star race on Saturday night by pulling away over the 10-lap sprint to the $1 million prize.

CONCORD, N.C. — Jimmie Johnson won his third All-Star race on Saturday night by pulling away over the 10-lap sprint to the $1 million prize.

Johnson joins Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon as the only three-time winner in All-Star race history. His other victories were in 2003 and 2006.

Johnson won the first 20-lap segment of the Sprint All-Star race, then cruised around the back of the field for the next three segments at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He was the first driver allowed down pit road before the fifth and final segment, and beat everyone else back on track following the mandatory pit stop.

Johnson had a great restart, and runner-up Brad Keselowski had no chance to catch him.

Matt Kenseth finished third and was followed by Kyle Busch and Earnhardt.

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