Dover, Del. • Jimmie Johnson wore a helmet painted in tribute to boyhood race hero Cale Yarborough. He then went out and tied the Hall of Famer on NASCAR's career wins list last year at Dover.
For Johnson, winning at Dover had become the norm — his 11 wins on the mile track are easily the record. His victory was already his third of the season and the hunt for a record eighth championship was roaring ahead.
He had just two top-10s over the next 12 races, fell out of title contention and never finished a race better than third.