Johnson wins Nextel All-Star Challenge

CONCORD, N.C. -- Winning yet another race at Lowe's Motor Speedway guarantees Jimmie Johnson absolutely nothing. He learned that the last three years, when his domination at his "home" track failed to win him a Nextel Cup championship.

This time, he hopes, will be different.

After winning the Nextel All-Star Challenge on Saturday night -- his seventh victory since 2003 -- Johnson said this is the year he may finally break through and win a championship.

"I believe so in my heart. I really do," he said, wearing a firesuit soaked in champagne. "I just feel like we have always been there, and as you all know, we always do so well until August and that is the big challenge for us this year is to make sure we can keep that momentum.

"We are looking at everything and trying to do everything we can to put together out best 10 races at the end."

In years past, Johnson has dominated the early and middle part of the season to put himself in contention for the title.

Johnson took the lead away from Kevin Harvick in the third and final segment, passing him after racing side-by-side for several laps. Johnson then took off, leaving Harvick and everyone else far behind.

"The No. 48 had everybody covered," Harvick said. "Even before everybody wrecked we were the second-best car. I feel like the best two cars finished where they should have."

The many accidents included one between Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth that had both trading barbs after.

Kenseth said the accident was clearly Stewart's fault, an accusation Stewart bristled at.

"That's a pretty demented view in my opinion," Stewart said. "I think he screwed up on this one. If he thinks I did that and that was my fault, he's screwed up in the head."