Johnson Too Quick for Labonte

Jimmie Johnson got the lead with a fast pit stop and held off a challenge from Bobby Labonte to win the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 Sunday at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

Labonte was leading by half a straightaway over Kurt Busch on the 1.366-mile oval when Kyle Petty’s engine blew, bringing out a caution flag 19 laps from the end of the 293-lap race.

All the leaders pitted for much-needed fresh tires and Johnson’s Chevrolet crew got him out inches in front of Labonte’s Chevrolet.

“These guys got me the lead early in the race and they got me out front again when it really counted,” Johnson said, pointing at crew chief Chad Knaus and the rest of his crew.

Labonte, who won the Southern 500 at Darlington in 2000, gave it a good try, but he couldn’t quite catch Johnson, finishing 0.132 seconds -- about two car-lengths -- behind.

“I knew he was coming,” Johnson said of Labonte. “I knew I had to protect the high side. He got inside me a couple of times but, luckily, I had momentum.”

It was the seventh victory of Johnson’s Nextel Cup career and first on NASCAR’s oldest superspeedway.

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Michael Schumacher won his second consecutive Formula One race of the season, easily finishing ahead of the field in the Malaysian Grand Prix in his Ferrari.

The six-time world champion coasted past the checkered flag 5.0 seconds ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya in a Williams-BMW on the 3.3445-mile Sepang International Circuit for the 72nd victory of his career.

BAR-Honda’s Jenson Button was third, his first time on the podium in 68 races, 11.5 seconds behind Schumacher.

Rubens Barrichello was fourth. The chance for another 1-2 Ferrari finish after the season-opening Australian Grand Prix dimmed on the second lap when Barrichello missed a turn and ran wide, dropping to fourth.

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Tony Kanaan dominated the Copper World Indy 200 to win the fastest Indy-car race at Phoenix International Raceway since 1995.

The star of Andretti Green Racing’s four drivers led for 191 of the 200 laps -- the most since Bobby Rahal led from start to finish in 1992 -- and averaged 127.981 mph.

Kanaan passed teammate and pole-sitter Dan Wheldon on the first lap and pulled away in his Dallara-Honda. He took advantage of the only major crash, covering 11 of the last 20 laps under a yellow flag with Scott Dixon behind him in a Toyota-powered G Force.

On the restart, Kanaan held his lead and pulled away, beating Dixon by 12 car lengths.

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Andrew Hines became the first driver to earn an NHRA victory on a Harley-Davidson, winning the pro stock bike final at the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.

Hines’ win was the first of his career. He earned it with a 7.076-second run at a top speed of 189.83 mph to beat teammate GT Tonglet’s 7.161 at 182.96.

Tony Schumacher earned his second top fuel win of the season, Del Worsham won the funny car final and Greg Anderson won in pro stock.

Schumacher earned his 13th career victory by beating Darrell Russell in the Top Fuel final. Schumacher turned in a 4.612 run at a top speed of 312.60.

Worsham earned his second consecutive win and 16th of his career by defeating John Force in the funny car final. Anderson also earned his second win of the season by beating Jeg Coughlin.

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The Napa Auto Parts Super Truck Series started its season with a 40-lap feature late Saturday night at Irwindale Speedway.

Carson Woods, the runner-up in the series last year, led from start to finish. Greg Tucker won the final race of the night, the Mini-Stock Series feature.