Johnson fails in quest to make history at Indy

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Jimmie Johnson's quest for a third straight Brickyard 400 title has been derailed by handling problems.

The two-time defending race champ had hoped to become the first American to win three straight races on Indy's famed oval. But after qualifying second, Johnson fought an understeer problem, something his crew never could quite figure out.

Johnson ran in the top five for the first 40 laps of the 160-lap race, then steadily fell back, dropping to 22nd after pitting for 15 seconds on lap 67. Johnson's crew made changes to the shock absorbers and made adjustments all day, but nothing worked.

Johnson wound up 22nd, one spot ahead of Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon, a four-time race winner.