AVONDALE -- Jimmie Johnson has moved closer to a NASCAR record fourth consecutive championship with a dominating win at Phoenix International Raceway.
Johnson led 238 laps Sunday to win his seventh race of the season, and fourth since the start of the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.
The win stretched his lead to 108 points over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin heading into next week's finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Martin finished fourth, but it wasn't enough to derail Johnson. He only needs to finish 25th or better in the finale to grab a spot in NASCAR's record books.
Jeff Burton finished second and was followed by Denny Hamlin, Martin and pole-sitter Martin Truex Jr.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)



