LAS VEGAS, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Jimmie Johnson grabbed the lead from teammate Jeff Gordon with 16 laps left and went on to win Sunday's American Shelby at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Gordon, Johnson's Hendrick Motorsports teammate, was in control for 218 laps of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race -- a track record. But he faltered when he took only two tires during a late-race pit stop.
Johnson, fresh off last week's win in Fontana, Calif., was able to put on four tires during his stop and easily caught up with Gordon prior to making the winning pass.
The win was Johnson's second in Las Vegas and marked the 49th win of his career. The victory moved him up to 11th all-time on the Sprint Cup Series' race winners list.
Kevin Harvick ended second while Gordon eventually finished third. Mark Martin and Matt Kenseth completed the top five.
