Jimmie Johnson, so far, has experienced a roller coaster ride during Speedweeks, and we’re not even to the Budweiser Duel. He didn’t start Speedweeks out like he would’ve hoped as he crashed into the inside wall off of turn four after getting loose while trying to make a move on Denny Hamlin for the lead. However, Johnson says he has learned from that experience.
“I learned a lesson and certainly learned about the car set-up some and how to avoid that from happening again,” he commented today. “So, I was bummed to be a part of that because I felt like starting dead last as we did and to work our way up to second and really get that bottom lane working and pulling along the guys behind us, that we had a very strong car and a great chance to win the Unlimited.”
Johnson says at the time, he was testing out the waters and seeing if he could get by Hamlin and test that move out before the end of the race and plan out an idea of what to do on the last lap.
“I’m not sure you’re going to want the lead until you come off of Turn 4,” he commented. “Somebody’s going to have a run, second car back or third car back and come up through there. So, I think there’s a chance for a lot of passing come Sunday.”Jo
After crashing out of the Sprint Unlimited, Johnson woke up early the next morning to run the half-marathon that Daytona hosts. Johnson’s goal was to beat his time from last year, which he beat by a full minute. He joked that it was “far better than the Unlimited; I actually finished.”
When it came to qualifying, Johnson would put the No. 48 Lowes Chevrolet in the 14th position, therefore setting him up to start seventh in the second Budweiser Duel tomorrow night.
“We expected to be a little faster than that,” Johnson commented. “It’s just tough down here. You really have to take a lot of chances to produce speed and lap time and we’ve been neutered over the years and show-up in qualifying trim pretty much in race trim and make sure that nobody gets in trouble and everything is okay. We’ve got a great race car though. I think it’s going to race just fine.”
Johnson has opted to not do a lot of drafting practice, as he had done last year. Though the Hendrick Motorsports driver isn’t worried as he is bringing the same car that he drove on the restrictor plate tracks last year – with some updates. Johnson added that he plans to take a careful approach in the Duel because he wants to protect his car.
“We’re down to one car,” he commented. “We have other stuff at home, but we really don’t want to bring it down here. We like the car that’s sitting over there, ready for the 500.”
Despite wanting to be careful, Johnson doesn’t plan on riding around at the back as he feels the safest place is upfront leading or racing for the lead with guys that he trusts.
“We’ve raced for every lap and it’s paid off for us,” he explained. “We’ll keep that same mentality, but historically the Duels are pretty calm. Everybody has an agenda to save their race car and to be smart. And we really don’t see big crashes and multiple-car incidents in the Duels. So, we’re counting on that, as well. When the green falls, we’re going to go racing. We just need to make smart decisions and hope we get through the race with a good, straight race car.”
While the Duel has the same rules as it has before in setting the field for the Daytona 500, it will be run at night for the first time with the first Duel taking the green flag at 7 p.m. EST
“If the track stays hot like it has today, and we’re in the 80’s, a night race would bring more grip back and make the cars a little racier,” Johnson commented on whether the style of racing would change. “I feel more than anything, this track is pretty forgiving right now because of the asphalt they put down and the job they did was really, really strong. Night racing, knowing that we’re doing to be racing in prime time, that’s going to bring the energy up. Hopefully we have a strong attendance here and all that stuff will drive the energy up and potentially the risk factor.”
Beyond Daytona, the focus for Johnson is obviously on the seventh championship, which would tie him with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most all-time. The challenge this year will be different, though, with the new elimination style chase. Johnson feels that he has a good shot and knows that he will need to win during the chase.
“I feel good about us in looking at statistics and what we’ve done in the past and winning races in the Chase. That’s obviously a requirement now,” he commented.
