Johnson now 2-for-2 with restrictor plates

No controversy this time. Jimmie Johnson?s win was fair and square.

Johnson erased a career full of Talladega Superspeedway troubles, barreling past teammate Brian Vickers with one lap to go then holding off a charge from Tony Stewart to win the rain-postponed Aaron?s 499 on Monday.

It makes Johnson 2-for-2 in restrictor-plate races this year. And this one won?t have an asterisk.

His season-opening Daytona 500 win fell under intense scrutiny when crew chief Chad Knaus was suspended for cheating during race preparations. Although Johnson rallied to win the race in a legal car, he was forced to defend himself and his team from a wave of criticism that spoiled the victory.

Not this time.

Using a similar strategy from Daytona, when he stayed low under the radar until the very end, Johnson powered to the front only when it mattered.

He pulled his Chevrolet alongside Vickers and eased it past him and into first at the start/finish line of the final lap. Vickers knew the move was coming.

?You come down to the last couple of laps, and teammates or not, all bets are off,? Vickers said.