From nascar.com
It came as little surprise that Jimmie Johnson was able to dominate the field Sunday at Dover International Speedway, a track where he has won nine NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, more than any driver in NASCAR history.
What was stunning was Johnson's public revelation that he'd had hernia surgery in December, a procedure which might have contributed to his slow start.
"It wasn't supposed to be a secret," said Johnson, whose surgery came to light during a recorded interview with FOX that aired during the race. "The hernia surgery was, literally, right after the banquet. I'm surprised nobody knew about this thing sooner."
Johnson said he had bilateral hernias (one on each side) as well as a third in the "belly button area," repaired laparoscopically and was back in training 10 days after the procedure.
Johnson, who says Dover's high-banked mile track "suits his style," led 272 of the final 319 miles on his way to victory in Sunday's FedEx 400 presented by Autism Speaks.
At the last restart, Johnson was able to pull away from Brad Keselowski and Matt Kenseth, who was so slow on the restart that Clint Bowyer attempted to push him from behind.
Keselowski finished second, followed by Kenseth, Bowyer and Denny Hamlin.
NASCAR Sprint Cup point standings:
1. Matt Kenseth, 463 points
2. Jeff Gordon, 461
3. Carl Edwards, 438
4. Jimmie Johnson, 436
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 429
It came as little surprise that Jimmie Johnson was able to dominate the field Sunday at Dover International Speedway, a track where he has won nine NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, more than any driver in NASCAR history.
What was stunning was Johnson's public revelation that he'd had hernia surgery in December, a procedure which might have contributed to his slow start.
"It wasn't supposed to be a secret," said Johnson, whose surgery came to light during a recorded interview with FOX that aired during the race. "The hernia surgery was, literally, right after the banquet. I'm surprised nobody knew about this thing sooner."
Johnson said he had bilateral hernias (one on each side) as well as a third in the "belly button area," repaired laparoscopically and was back in training 10 days after the procedure.
Johnson, who says Dover's high-banked mile track "suits his style," led 272 of the final 319 miles on his way to victory in Sunday's FedEx 400 presented by Autism Speaks.
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| Jimmie Johnson and his daughter Genevieve Marie look at the Miles The Monster Trophy. (Photo: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images) |
At the last restart, Johnson was able to pull away from Brad Keselowski and Matt Kenseth, who was so slow on the restart that Clint Bowyer attempted to push him from behind.
Keselowski finished second, followed by Kenseth, Bowyer and Denny Hamlin.
NASCAR Sprint Cup point standings:
1. Matt Kenseth, 463 points
2. Jeff Gordon, 461
3. Carl Edwards, 438
4. Jimmie Johnson, 436
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 429