Race Summary:

With three races remaining in the Chase for the Nextel Cup, the battle for the championship officially became a two-man battle after one of the most thrilling two-car duels in NASCAR history.  Coming into the Dickies 500, 1-2 points leaders Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson had struggled historically at the Texas Motor Speedway.  But a pit road mishap for 3^rd place Clint Bowyer let the pair breakaway from the points pack.  As Gordon struggled to keep his car in the top ten, Johnson was up front, locked in a door-to-door battle with Matt Kenseth.  For 30 laps, the Chevy and Ford battled door-to-door, both nearly wrecking on more than one occasion.  But a gutsy move by Johnson with one to go handed him a third straight win and the points lead with two races remaining.