Johnson pads lead

FONTANA, Calif. -- “Smoke finally got his win in California. Jimmie Johnson could be ready to smoke the field again.

Tony Stewart pulled away from Johnson on a late restart Sunday to win at Auto Club Speedway for the first time in 19 tries, but it was the four-time defending Sprint Cup champion who walked away with a bigger points lead.

Johnson finished third after a late pass by Clint Bowyer and has a 36-point lead over Denny Hamlin with six Chase races left.

“Great day overall, Johnson said. “We certainly wanted to be in Victory Lane, but if can finish in the top three week in and week out, you're going to have a shot.

Stewart wouldn't let him get to the checkers in California. Not after all the struggles he has had there.

Stewart was well back in the Chase after running out of fuel while leading late at Loudon and struggling at Dover. He had a good showing last week at Kansas, finishing fourth, but still entered this weekend 10th in points, 127 behind Johnson.

A so-so qualifying run Friday had him starting 22nd, but Stewart quickly worked his way to the front in a lead-swapping 400-mile race that served as the last fall date at Fontana. He was fifth by the race's midpoint, took the lead with 51 laps left and snagged it back after briefly falling behind Juan Pablo Montoya.

In the lead again late, Stewart opted not to pit after an accident took out Chase driver Kurt Busch and pulled away from Johnson on the restart with two laps left. Bowyer passed Johnson, but was nowhere close to Stewart at the end, finally giving “Smoke his win in California and improving his once-weak Chase chances.

“We doing everything we can, said Stewart, who moved up to fifth in the Chase, 107 points behind Johnson. “We're going to need some help, but we're doing everything we can do. I'm proud of these guys and just so thankful.