Some Like it Hot: Jimmy Johnson Smokes California Speedway - As opening ceremonies began wind down for the Sharp Aquos 500 at California Speedway late Sunday afternoon, the ambient air temperature around the 2.0-mile speedway read a mind boggling 110-degrees on the thermometer, while the track surface literally baked at over 140-degreees. To virtually every driver set to compete in the 250-lap race, the weather conditions were the most extreme and brutal they has ever experienced. So when the call came sending the drives to their cars, most went begrudgingly. One, though, he didn’t seem to mind the oven-hot heat was California native Jimmy Johnson. Having gone four months without a race win in the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, he desperately wanted to win on the multi-line, high-speed track an hour East of Los Angeles and he wasn’t about to let weather stop him.

And win he did.

The 2006 Nextel Cup champion hit overdrive during the closing stage of the race, found his way up to the to the front of the pack and stayed there, grabbing his series-leading fifth victory of the season. He also guaranteed himself a spot in the rapidly approaching Chase for the Nextel Cup. The win was the native of El Cajon, California’s first since Richmond on May 6, 2007.

"We've been close," Johnson said of his conspicuous absence from Victory Lane. "We've been running good. But it was nice to get the job done tonight. Historically, we start the season strong, have a little bit of a struggle when we get to the warm weather and then get it going again. It seems like that's the way it's going and I'm just glad to be back in Victory Circle."

Thrilled to win in California, Johnson’s mind is already focused on The Chase, which will begin at New Hampshire in two week’s time.

"We're fortunate to be in that situation," Johnson said of clinching a spot in NASCAR’s version of the World Series. "That's very satisfying. The season is all about a championship, especially when you get in the Chase. It's time for the pressure to pick up and the hard work to start. And my guys are ready for it."

Kurt Busch, who was in the 12th and last position to make the 2007 Chase helped his cause significantly in California, actually moving up to the eleventh spot with just one race left to be run.

"I feel pretty solid," said Busch, who placed ninth. "You know there's a guy behind us now to give us a little bit of cushion. It's going to be an interesting race in Richmond."

Carl Edwards claimed second place at California Speedway. Kyle Busch was third, Jeff Burton fourth and Dale Earnhardt Junior was fifth.