Six races in the books, six different Sprint Cup Series winners. Though in each look at the list, a big name is missing -six-time Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson. With this year’s points format making wins so important, one would think that’d be a big issue. However, Johnson says that he’s felt no pressure so far.
“Maybe I’m naive or stupid of something else, but the season takes on so many different changes and I feel like we’ve had a few looks here recently at a victory and I feel like it’s coming and hope that it’s coming soon so that I don’t have to answer the question,” he commented.
Johnson added a couple weeks ago at Fontana was the first time that he legitimately thought he could pull the win off, followed by another good look at possibly winning at Martinsville. Johnson was leading considerably over the field at Fontana when he had a tire go down and end his chances. In hoping to improve tire issues, Goodyear brought a duel-zone tire to Texas this weekend.
“We’ve seen a lot of good things with that dual-zone tire. I think it has shown from a wear-standpoint, very good durability,” Johnson commented. “This track is very porous and it takes all the Nationwide and Cup practice to get the rubber in the track so the tire wear goes down. California, I think, was a different issue than tire wear. So, we’ve been on edge, in my opinion, at a few tracks; especially the faster tracks. And this car and how fast it goes, exploits that now in my opinion.
“So, I feel like we will have other issues. This track is known for high wear and I’m sure we’ll see some high wear issues. I don’t think we’ll see a construction issue. I don’t think we had any issues like that last time. But wear is going to be something to be concerned about. And it will only get better as the race goes on.”
With back-to-back solid weeks in his pocket, the driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet is confident coming to a track that has treated him well in the past. Johnson has three wins, 10 top-fives and 16 top-10s in 23 starts at Texas Motor Speedway.
Beyond Texas, Johnson feels that they’ve got good chances to win in going to places that they’ve run well at the past like Darlington, Charlotte and Dover.
“I feel like we have some good opportunities ahead,” Johnson commented. “It might become much more of a topic, especially if the win column keeps growing like it has without repeat winners. And if that’s the case, it will shoot my mindset completely apart. I firmly believe it’s pretty rare to have 16 winners in a season; especially 16 winners in 26 races. And I feel like points will still get somebody a berth into the first stage of the championship.”
Johnson adds that as a sport, though, it’s great to the multiple winners so far as it shows parody.
“It shows the parody and lets each drivers’ fan base get their time in the spotlight,” he said. “And also the personalities that exist in the garage area have a great way of coming out in Victory Lane and the couple of days that follow.”
Some have said that Johnson should be worried with the number of winners growing, though Johnson says his focus is simply being a top five car each week and by doing that it gives him the opportunity.
“I’ve been able to win 66 races that way and six championships. So, I don’t feel like I need to change my viewpoint on winning races and trying to transfer into the Chase,” he justified. “If there’s a race or two to go and I don’t have a victory, it’s definitely going to change my opinion then, but I’ve built so much over the last 13 years with a certain mindset that myself and the team, we’re just not in the position to change that mindset yet.”
In looking forward to the Chase in the fall, a lot of teams are focused on building their notebook this weekend as Texas is one of the 10 Chase tracks. Johnson adds that he feels confident when we get down to that point of the season as a whole.
“When I saw how the breakdown plays out going to Homestead, its here and Martinsville and Phoenix, three great race tracks for the No. 48,” he commented. “So that didn’t hurt my feelings one bit. We’ve just got to use the spring as an opportunity to develop our cars and learn.”
