AP Sports Writer
DOVER, Del. (AP) -- Jimmie Johnson sped off on the final restart and earned another slice of NASCAR history, winning at Dover for the 11th time and moving into a tie for sixth on the career victories list.
Johnson again made an impact Sunday at his favorite track - and he worked hard to take this checkered flag. He was forced to start from the rear of the field because of a gear change, then zipped past Kyle Larson in overtime on the final restart.
Johnson tied Hall of Fame driver Cale Yarborough for sixth on the career wins list with 83.
"Cale you're the man," Johnson said.
Johnson may have had a sense history was ahead in the No. 48 Chevrolet. He wore a helmet painted in tribute to Yarborough. He tweeted this weekend, "Growing up in El Cajon I never imagined I would have a chance to tie Cale in wins."
Johnson, the seven-time NASCAR champion, has racked up a Hall of Fame resume all with team owner Rick Hendrick and crew chief Chad Knaus. He plopped his helmet on top of the Chevy in victory lane and put on a throwback No. 28 Hardee's Chevrolet Yarborough hat.
"I remember going to a race in Oklahoma with my parents, my brother, we're driving across the country and we pull into a Hardee's," Johnson said. "I had no idea it was a burger stand. I really thought when I walked in the door that I was going to Cale Yarborough's race shop. I was very disappointed. I had a burger and left and understood the world of sponsorship."
The 78-year-old Yarborough is one of two drivers in NASCAR history to win three consecutive championships.
Johnson is on a drive for a record eighth. With more wins like this one, Johnson just may get there.
Larson was second, followed by Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Newman and Chase Elliott. Truex won the first two stages on the 10-year anniversary of his first career Cup victory, also at Dover.
Larson had his second win of the season in his grasp until he spun the tires on the restart.
"Jimmie's the best of our time," Larson said. "Probably the best of all time."
There was a multi-car wreck on the final lap that brought the race under caution, but Johnson had hit the line needed to make the race official and he coasted to the finish.
The Hendrick Motorsports driver swept Dover in 2002 and 2009 and also won races in 2005, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Johnson also joined NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty (Martinsville-15, North Wilkesboro-15, Richmond-13, Rockingham-11) and Darrell Waltrip (Bristol-12, Martinsville-11) as drivers to win 11 races at a single track.
Here are some other happenings from Sunday's race:
LOOSE TIRE
Kyle Busch's No. 18 Toyota lost a tire as it exited pit road on the first stop. Busch, who started from the pole, suffered damage to the left rear fender when the wheel became dislodged. Busch's crew chief could face major penalties for the detached wheel.
EARLY EXITS
Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. all made early exits. Busch got loose and connected with Keselowski in the first stage with both runners inside the top five. Keselowski smacked the wall and went straight to the garage. Busch continued with heavy damage until he retired following another wreck about 30 laps later.
Keselowski finished 38th a week after he also wrecked out of the Coca-Cola 600 and was 39th.
"I don't know if it was Kurt's fault, just one of them racing deals," Keselowski said. "We line-up double-file and somebody got loose and just took us out. What a bummer."
UP NEXT
NASCAR heads to Pocono Raceway for the first of its two stops at the triangle track. Kurt Busch is the defending race winner.
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Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race - AAA 400 Drive for Autism
Dover International Speedway
Dover, Delaware
Sunday, June 4, 2017
1. (14) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 406.
2. (5) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 406.
3. (2) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 406.
4. (13) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 406.
5. (16) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 406.
6. (3) Daniel Suarez #, Toyota, 406.
7. (19) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 406.
8. (10) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 406.
9. (18) Kevin Harvick, Ford, 406.
10. (31) Danica Patrick, Ford, 406.
11. (11) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 406.
12. (9) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 406.
13. (4) Matt Kenseth, Toyota, 406.
14. (21) Ty Dillon #, Chevrolet, 406.
15. (7) Erik Jones #, Toyota, Accident, 405.
16. (1) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 405.
17. (20) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, Accident, 404.
18. (24) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, Accident, 404.
19. (28) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet, 404.
20. (36) Ross Chastain(i), Chevrolet, 403.
21. (17) Trevor Bayne, Ford, Accident, 402.
22. (35) Cole Whitt, Chevrolet, Accident, 402.
23. (29) Chris Buescher, Chevrolet, 402.
24. (32) Gray Gaulding #, Toyota, 402.
25. (26) Joey Logano, Ford, 402.
26. (34) * Ryan Sieg(i), Toyota, 400.
27. (39) Jeffrey Earnhardt, Chevrolet, 400.
28. (37) * Timmy Hill(i), Chevrolet, 398.
29. (25) Matt DiBenedetto, Ford, 397.
30. (33) David Ragan, Ford, Accident, 393.
31. (22) Clint Bowyer, Ford, 391.
32. (15) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 373.
33. (23) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, Accident, 343.
34. (30) Regan Smith(i), Ford, Accident, 329.
35. (38) * Cody Ware, Chevrolet, Handling, 283.
36. (27) Landon Cassill, Ford, Accident, 257.
37. (6) Kurt Busch, Ford, Accident, 93.
38. (8) Brad Keselowski, Ford, Accident, 66.
39. (12) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford, Accident, 62.
Average Speed of Race Winner: 104.955 mph.
Time of Race: 3 Hrs, 52 Mins, 06 Secs. Margin of Victory: Caution.
Caution Flags: 15 for 72 laps.
Lead Changes: 17 among 9 drivers.
Lap Leaders: Kyle Busch 1-18; R. Stenhouse Jr. 19-21; M. Truex Jr. 22-49; K. Larson 50-80; M. Truex Jr. 81-122; K. Larson 123-146; M. McDowell 147-150; K. Larson 151-194; Kyle Busch 195; K. Larson 196-211; M. Truex Jr. 212-243; K. Larson 244-326; J. McMurray 327-328; J. Johnson 329-332; R. Newman 333; T. Dillon # 334-360; K. Larson 361-403; J. Johnson 404-406.
Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): K. Larson 6 times for 241 laps; M. Truex Jr. 3 times for 102 laps; T. Dillon # 1 time for 27 laps; Kyle Busch 2 times for 19 laps; J. Johnson 2 times for 7 laps; M. McDowell 1 time for 4 laps; R. Stenhouse Jr. 1 time for 3 laps; J. McMurray 1 time for 2 laps; R. Newman 1 time for 1 lap.
Stage #1 Top Ten: 78,42,4,20,48,5,21,77,18,19
Stage #2 Top Ten: 78,48,20,18,42,4,24,21,77,5
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