Johnson wins his fourth straight race

PHOENIX -- Jimmie Johnson Sunday ran his winning streak to four races, capturing the Nextel Cup's Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix.

Johnson's No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet crossed the finish line 0.870 ahead of Greg Biffle's No. 16 Ford, giving him 10 first-place finishes this season.

"I'm just as shocked as everyone watching," Johnson said. "I couldn't be more proud of this race team."

Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman took spots 3-5, with Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, Jeff Burton and teammate Jeff Gordon rounding out the top 10 finishers.

Johnson built an 86-point lead over Gordon in the "Chase for the Nextel Cup," and can become the second driver -- along with Gordon -- to win consecutive points titles since1997 and 1998 in next Sunday's season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead, Fla.

To win the "Cup," Johnson needs just an 18th-place finish or better.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International