We don't usually lead with NASCAR. But then, NASCAR races of 500 miles aren't usually decided by two thousandths of a second.
Jimmie Johnson edged, and we mean edged, Clint Bowyer at end of the Aaron's 499 at Talladega. They both drove 2,640,422 feet and, Johnson snuck across first by a single foot. That's like a racehorse winning by a nose, if that racehorse had been running for three hours at 156 mph.
"It's never very good to know you made NASCAR history by losing," Bowyer said. "Sooner or later I need to start making history by winning. That guy's won enough."
The 0.002 second margin of victory ties for the closest finish since NASCAR switched to electric timing, and 26 lead changes also ties a NASCAR record. Just another day at Talladega, where only the unusual placement of the start/finish line gave Johnson the time to get his bumper out in front — with a nudge from teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr.
"Well I got it and gave [the checkered flag] to him," Johnson said. "He goes, 'I don't want it.' I said, 'Well, I've got to give you something — here. Thanks.' He's got the checkered flag over there, and I can't wait to tilt a cold one back with him and thank him for a good job done today."