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LONG POND, Pa. — Maybe the mechanical problems Jimmie Johnson had with the No. 48 car early Monday would have made him eligible for the federal "cash for clunkers" program. But the way Johnson came from three laps down to finish 13th at Pocono Raceway, he probably doesn't need any help from President Obama.

Johnson was to meet with Obama on Monday for a celebration of last year's NASCAR Sprint Cup title, but Sunday's rainout moved the ceremony to Aug. 19. Johnson must have wished he was at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on instead of in the Pennsylvania 500 when his car was slowed by problems near the halfway point. Engine problems forced unscheduled pit stops, and the hood of his Chevrolet was up during every stop.

NASCAR officials even warned Johnson at one point that he'd be black-flagged if he failed to pick up his speed. Crew chief Chad Knaus identified the problem and ordered new spark plugs and a carburetor that salvaged Johnson's finish.

"I assume it was a spark-plug issue. That's the last thing we started changing," Johnson said. "The car started running better, so it's just crazy how sometimes a little part like that can go wrong. I know our guys will look closely at it to make sure that something like that doesn't happen again."

Johnson is a lock to make the Chase field and lost only minimal ground behind points leader Tony Stewart, who has a 197-point advantage.

"There's a lot to be proud of," Johnson said.

STEWART'S DAY: Tony Stewart duplicated June's Pocono effort in every way except taking the checkered flag. Starting from the rear of the field, Stewart made an unexpected pit stop to check on tires only 12 laps into the race. He fell a lap down and struggled for most of Monday's race before rebounding for a 10th-place finish.

This weekend started just as it did in June. Stewart was automatically awarded the pole because rain washed out qualifying, then he wrecked the next day in practice and was forced to the rear of the field.

"We made the best of a bad situation that I put us in Saturday morning," Stewart said.

WALTRIP'S RIDE: Michael Waltrip Racing will have Patrick Carpentier in the No. 55 Toyota this week on the road course race at Watkins Glen. Carpentier was 11th for MWR at Infineon Raceway's road course earlier this season.