NASCAR: Johnson beats Bowyer for victory in Aarons' 499

April 18, 2011 driver won his first race of the  NASCAR  season, and his second career win, at  on Sunday during the  in Alabama. Throughout the course of the race there were six and 88 lead changes among 26 drivers.

Johnson was 0.002 seconds ahead of at the conclusion of the race; this tied with the record for the closest finish in series history which occured at  in 2003. Pole position winner, finished third, ahead of  and  in fourth and fifth. took sixth position ahead of in seventh. ,, and rounded out the top ten finishers in the race.

Johnson said: "We were just the lucky guy at the end with a good run. We had some big mo on our side, and off we went." Johnson continued, "I can't thank Junior enough. He made the decision that my car was faster leading. And the way these things are finishing up, the lead car's going to get the win. In some respects, he was more worried about the team having a good performance than anything."

Following the race, Edwards remains leader with 295 points. Five points behind, Johnson is second with 290. In third, Earnhardis fourteen points behind, but 22 ahead of Harvick. and are fifth and sixth respectively with 267 and 257 points. ,, , and Bowyer round out the top-ten positions for the Drivers' Champoinship.

The 2011 season continues on April 30 at for the 2011. The race will be televised in the U.S. on the at 7:30 p.m. EDT.