FORT WORTH, Tex. --- Jimmie Johnson 's been dominant if not overpowering in the Chase for the Championship. But on Sunday, he proved he's not invincible.
A spin by Sam Hornish Jr. on the third lap sent Johnson skidding into the inside wall.
A 38th-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway allowed Mark Martin , who was fourth, to cut Johnson's lead from 184 points to 73 with two races to go.
"I'm not really sure why everybody counts everything out," Martin said. "It's not over yet."
The 73-point separation is the difference of 15 total positions in the next two races.
RUMOR MILL: The talk of a merger between Red Bull Racing and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing seems to be gaining traction.
Earnhardt Ganassi has been shopping for a new manufacturer since General Motors reduced its support in NASCAR after taking money in bailouts from the government.
Red Bull Racing, with drivers Brian Vickers and Scott Speed , could benefit with two more teammates, including Juan Pablo Montoya .
Toyota said it can't supply engines to any new teams, but Joe Gibbs Racing president J.D. Gibbs said Sunday his organization easily could build engines for the new four-car team.
Car owner Chip Ganassi has been looking at Toyota since his sports car team already has a deal with Lexus.
MORE TRIBUTES: Fort Hood soldiers played a prominent role in NASCAR's pre-race ceremonies just 170 miles from the site of the massacre that left 13 dead at the Army post.
There were 40 Fort Hood soldiers displaying the huge American flag during the national anthem Sunday. The number was supposed to be 45, but five soldiers scheduled to attend were among the 29 injured in Thursday's shootings, track officials said.
Associated Press reports were used in this story.
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