Johnson sets off a wreck, then wins Clash at Daytona – News – The Ledger

The seven-time Cup champion did not win a race last season for the first time in his career, but a dose of aggression allowed him to return to the winning line on the first weekend of Speedweeks.

DAYTONA BEACH – Jimmie Johnson unleashed a wreck that wiped out almost the entire field at Daytona and took the lead to win the rain-curtailed show, Clash, Sunday.

The seven-time Cup champion did not win a race last season for the first time in his career, but a dose of aggression allowed him to return to the winning line on the first weekend of Speedweeks. Johnson's victory continued a banner day for Hendrick Motorsports. Teammates William Byron and Alex Bowman were first in the Daytona 500 earlier in the day in qualifying.

Paul Ménard led 51 laps and controlled the interrupted race several times due to rain. As the rain was getting ready, Johnson dipped very low and tried to hold back Menard as they competed in advance. But Johnson turned Menard and caused an accident causing a chain reaction, leaving cars behind and smoking behind the No. 48 Chevrolet.

"To know that the rain is coming in. I could see it coming," Johnson said. "We could see him coming and I knew it was probably my turn to make the move and I had a good run in the back, so I found myself below him before he blocked him. think he came a little to defend and block.I had this move inside him and I hoped that group 1 would follow me to the end. see all those cars destroyed. "

The rain that ended the race took place shortly after the decisive decision. Johnson won for the first time with the new team leader, Kevin Meendering, and the new main sponsor, Ally.

Johnson had done some extra laps at Daytona – with the 48 in the garage. He finished first in his 40-44 division early Sunday in the Daytona Beach Half Marathon with a time of 1 hour, 34 minutes and 18.4 seconds.