Johnson's Pocono double

Even a five-lap dash at the end after a late-race caution couldn't stop Johnson easing out a comfortable lead over veteran Mark Martin who finished second. Super rookie Kasey Kahne was third after fighting back through the field following a collision with... yes you guessed it, Tony Stewart.

The 2002 champion was one of many forced to retire, including last week's winner Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte and Kevin Harvick. While Dale Earnhardt Jr once again was forced to hand his DEI car over during the first caution. This week substitute driver John Andretti stood in for him, but hit the wall soon after and finished the race 25th, seven laps down.

Unlike the June race here, where procedure errors nearly cost him in another dominating performance, Johnson had only to contend with his rivals' desperate attempts, mostly in the pits. Fuel-only, two tyres, no tyres? Johnson and crew stuck to their planned tactics and outran every attempt by the opposition.

Johnson battled by Martin with 65 laps to go and led the rest of the way, enduring two late cautions and getting away clean during his final fuel stop, inside the last pit window on lap 161.

Johnson's points lead continues to grow, with Jeff Gordon taking second over the ailing Dale Earnhardt Jr. The points lead, of course, matters not at all, given NASCAR's mandate of a top-10 clean sheet over the final 10 events, beginning at New Hampshire in September.

Results at July Pocono generally are a fair predictor of performance in next week's main event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Car and tactical considerations are very similar. Johnson promised to have an even better car at the Brickyard.