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.”

NASCAR Vice President of Competition and Racing Development Robin Pemberton recently confirmed that NASCAR is planning on making extensive changes in the Sprint Cup car engine packages in 2015. One of the major components of those changes will include a reduction in engine horsepower.

During driver press conferences at Texas Motor Speedway Friday, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was asked if he felt the reduction in horsepower would make the racing more competitive, whether it would change his driving style and his thoughts on less horsepower.

He began by saying, “I don’t think they are trying to make it more competitive.  No matter how the horsepower is I think we will have competitive racing. I think the racing is competitive any way you slice it. I can enjoy a race where a guy laps the field just as much as I can enjoy one where they are side-by-side across the finish line. There is something to be appreciated about both ways of winning and how a race plays out. I like the idea of going to a smaller motor and allowing us to engineer through that package instead of choking down what we currently have with a plate. I think choking the motor down with a plate is the easiest way to go and the laziest way to go.”

Earnhardt Jr. continued by stating that he thinks a reduction in engine horsepower is preferable to the restrictor plate that NASCAR currently uses to reduce horsepower and speed.

“When you can go to a smaller engine you preserve some throttle response,” he explained. “You preserve some reaction in the gas pedal and give the driver a few more tools to be able to use out on the race track when he is driving his race car.  When you take and put a plate on those cars you take tons of throttle response out of the car and setting up a pass, particularly on a track that is worn out like this is a little more challenging with a plate rather than an open engine that is smaller.”

He also believes that the change is inevitable and the appropriate response is to work together to ensure it is implemented in the best manner possible.

“I hope they will go the way I want to go.  Whatever way they end up going whatever decision they end up making, there is not a wrong decision, there is an okay one and a better one in my opinion.  They are going to do it.  It’s kind of like the (number) 3 coming back.  A lot of people didn’t want it to come back.  A lot of people were upset that it came back, but it’s coming back.

“I think the reduction in power is coming whether you like it or not,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “I chose as an individual to get on the side of being productive in that discussion instead of saying we don’t need to do it and trying to fight it, let’s try to make sure when it does happen we do it the right way and give ourselves something to grow into and something to engineers and something that is productive for many years to come.  It’s coming either way whether we like it or not.  You can have both sides arguing against and for, for however long you want, but it’s going to happen so we might as well start thinking about how we want it to happen and trying to have those discussions on making sure we make the best choice we can make for the sport.”