Jimmie Johnson wins the 2016 Sprint Cup Series championship

Jimmie Johnson earned his seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup championship after passing Kyle Larson on the restart of the Ford EcoBoost 400, this season’s finale, with two laps remaining Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Johnson joined Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt as the only drivers with seven NASCAR titles to their names.

Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, and Joey Logano joined Johnson in the season-ending race as the only four eligible for the championship, having advanced to the 10th race of the Chase for the Sprint Cup playoff that used eliminations to trim the 16-driver field every three races.

Larson finished second and Kevin Harvick third. Of the other title contenders, Logano finished fourth in the race, and Busch sixth. Edwards crashed with 11 laps remaining to finish 34th.

Johnson’s pursuit of a record-tying seventh Sprint Cup champion began ominously when he had to forfeit his 14th starting position and line up 40th after NASCAR officials determined Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports crew had made “unapproved adjustments” to the No. 48 car after it had already passed initial inspection.

Once the green flag waved, Johnson wasted little time charging to the front. Within eight laps he had recouped 16 positions, and by Lap 15 he had made it up to his original starting position. He remained near the front, and when the opportunity came Johnson made the best.

The race was red-flagged for more than 30 minutes with 10 laps to go after Edwards and Logano got together a restart, resulting in Edwards’ car being wrecked and his championship hopes dashed. Edwards tried to block Logano, but Logano got into his rear and sent him into the inside wall. Martin Truex Jr.’s car also caught fire in that wreck, resulting in a delay as the first and second turns were cleaned up.

Johnson worked his way into second, behind Larson, on the following restart, but one last caution gave Johnson the opportunity not just to win the championship but to win the race as well. He passed Larson on the restart with two laps remaining and put enough distance between himself and the rest of the pack to earn the victory by nearly half a second.

The race also marked the end of the NASCAR career for Tony Stewart, who finished in 22nd.

During pre-race ceremonies Stewart took several photos with his parents and sister, crew members, and assorted Stewart-Haas Racing personnel. NASCAR also added an extra pace lap prior to the start to allow Stewart to take a ceremonial lap at the front of the field.

Stewart, who amassed 49 victories and three Cup Series championships, is opting to focus on sprint car racing and other motorsport endeavors. Those include co-ownership of SHR, a NASCAR team that fields Cup cars for Harvick, Kurt Busch, Danica Patrick, and Clint Bowyer, who will replace Stewart next season.