DOVER, Del. -- Jimmie Johnson has a championship to race for, and he's grateful that his rookie teammate understands to race hard -- but not get in the way.

Johnson barely hung on to beat teammate Kyle Busch, then credited the rookie for helping him win Sunday at Dover International Speedway, a victory that vaulted Johnson into the lead in the Chase for the championship.

"He was all over me at the end, and that's the way it should be," Johnson said. "I've got to thank Kyle for being such a good teammate and racing me clean at the end."

Johnson held off Busch by about a car-length. That they were so close at the end was a tribute to Busch, Johnson said.

"They were up here testing two weeks ago and we used their information," Johnson said. "I don't think Hendrick Motorsports had any new data on the track."  More