The victory in the eighth of the 10-race "Chase for the Nextel Cup" was Johnson's ninth this season, his first at the Texas Motor Speedway, and the 32nd of his "Cup" career.

Johnson's No.48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet crossed the finish line 0.944 seconds ahead of Kenseth's No.17 Ford, and gave him a 30-point lead over teammate Jeff Gordon in the points battle.

"I can't thank these guys enough," Johnson said about his crew. "I'm just tickled to death. These guys have been working so hard. They give us this opportunity (to win) week in and week out."

Martin Truex Jr. was third, Kyle Busch fourth, Ryan Newman fifth and Gordon finished seventh.

The "Chase" has two races left, starting with the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix next Sunday.