(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-11-19 10:05

HOMESTEAD, Florida - Jimmie Johnson won his second straight NASCAR championship after defending his points lead over Hendrick Motorsports team-mate Jeff Gordon in the final race of the season on Sunday.

Matt Kenseth of Roush won the 400 mile race but Johnson finished seventh to ensure he ended the championship with a 77 point lead over four-times champion Gordon -- who finished fourth.

Johnson went into the race knowing that even if Gordon -- who won back-to-back titles in 1997 and 1998 - won Sunday's race he only needed to finish 19th to keep top spot in the standings.

The 32-year-old Johnson took few risks in a race which saw Kurt Busch finish second and Denny Hamlin third.