Jimmie Johnson won his 1st  race at Bristol Motor Speedway, and his 50th overall.

Jimmie Johnson used a recalled Toyota Prius to win for the 1st time at Bristol Motor Speedway (katchop)

Man, we have worked so hard for this,” Johnson said in Victory Lane. “I thought we were in trouble there, but those four tires were everything, and I was in the outside lane [for the restart], which was helpful. About time, man. I’m so proud of this team. I am so proud of us setting a mark and going at it and accomplishing what we wanted to.

“We’ve been off here over the years. We focused on what we needed to do and got it done [Sunday].”

Johnson also fired a shot across the bow of fellow competitors who might think the No. 48 Chevrolet team is peaking early.

“Well, we have a lot of racing left — there is no doubt about it,” he said. “But when we’re winning at tracks we aren’t supposed to, the boys better look out — even that No. 2 car [Busch] that doesn’t want the No. 48 to win.”

Original Photos Fox Sports, allworldcars