New Hampshire: Strategy fuels Johnson

Jimmie Johnson used good fuel mileage and clever pit strategy to take victory in the NASCAR Winston Cup race at New Hampshire International Speedway, his second triumph of the season, and the fifth of his career

Jul 20, 2003, 10:10 PM

The Hendrick driver was in the reckoning for most of the race, leading a total of 58 of the event's 300 laps. He passed Ryan Newman on track with 35 laps to go, and then cruised home to victory on the tight oval.

Kevin Harvick finished runner-up for the second Winston Cup race in a row - and for the second time in a weekend, as he finished just behind the leader in Saturday's second-division Busch Series race.

Matt Kenseth, who started on pole position by virtue of his championship lead after qualifying was rained out, finished third, ahead of Newman and Robby Gordon. Championship contender Dale Earnhardt Jr ended the day sixth.

Jeff Gordon led the most laps of the race, but lost track position after opting change all four tyres on his final pit stop, with the intention of charging through the field on fresh rubber. He was unable to make much of an impression, however, and came home a disconsolate 24th.