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Johnson, who won this race a year ago, started seventh Sunday but quickly found himself in trouble, struggling with the handling on his No. 48 Chevrolet and sliding back through the field.
Edwards put him a lap down on lap 96 as Johnson slipped all the way to 33rd after a pit stop on lap 113. At that point, with Edwards leading, Johnson was only 64 points ahead. But his team kept making adjustments and Johnson was able to regain some of his lost ground, although he never got back on the lead lap.
"Not the day we wanted," Johnson said. "It's frustrating."
Asked about Edwards gambling on running the final 69 laps without pitting, Johnson said, "I don't know all the details yet. But, from where I'm sitting, they had a good chance to make up points on us, they didn't have to win the race.
"I feel that they knew they were going to make it," he added. "When they started that last run, I really expected the 99 to fly through the pack and end up in the lead in a short period of time. It just took them a long time to get going, I thought, 'Well, maybe his car isn't working right. But, I believe in the end they were saving fuel, they were playing that card and if it worked, great, if not, they still were going to gain a bunch of points on us."
Told what his lead is now, with only races at Phoenix and Homestead remaining, Johnson said, "It's still far from over. We've got to fight hard, and continue to fight hard. We go to a great track for us next week."
Biffle, who finished fifth, also kept his hopes alive in the Chase, remaining third as he came from 185 points behind Johnson to 143 back.
Fourth-place Jeff Burton, who began the day 218 points behind, finished 13th and gained only six points, virtually eliminating him from contention.
Jamie McMurray, who led late in the race before having to pit, wound up third, followed by Clint Bowyer, Biffle and Kyle Busch.
[Associated Press;
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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