Johnson can be making an attempt in order to win accurate documentation sixth consecutive shining around NASCAR 's Sprint Cup Series, although they're within difficulties since rushing resumes Sunday at Dover International Speedway .
After a couple of races within NASCAR's 10-race Chase for the Cup playoff, Johnson will be tenth among the list of 12 Chase drivers, a new sizable 29 factors guiding chief , some sort of two- time champion whom won both equally races.
It's the lowest Johnson includes previously recently been from the Chase standings, and he demands a substantial demonstrating at Dover to enhance his placement because whenever he doesn't, the actual El Cajon local nicknamed "Five Time" may possibly find themselves outstanding simply in which at season's end.
"I don't believe we have been prepared exactly where it truly is gain or maybe nothing," Johnson instructed reporters from Dover with Friday, but he included which "we require a top-three run here."
There is purpose to believe Johnson may possibly boost their Chase energy Sunday.
Johnson features a lot more is victorious at Dover (six) compared to every other effective Cup driver, as well as total he / she pistes solely NASCAR figures Bobby Allison , that each and every had seven.
Johnson, 36, also is shut at the rear of several other owners with the particular Chase and may leapfrog several people using a strong work Sunday. Jeff Gordon , some sort of four- time champion and Johnson's teammate having Hendrick Motorsports, is definitely junior high within the standings but exclusively half a dozen tips prior to Johnson.
The individuals sixth as a result of ninth inside the standings Matt Kenseth (the 2003 collection champion), Dale Earnhardt Jr. along with (the 2007 champion) usually are just around a few details before Johnson.
"I don't even think in which Jimmie has gone out with this by simply any means," reported , who is third from the standings. "He's really not necessarily which much back." But, Keselowski added, "He certainly can not include any longer bad races."
Under a new items technique NASCAR enforced this kind of year, some sort of new driver can certainly bring in around 48 points through successful a species as well as primary by far the most laps insurance policy coverage last-place finisher gets just one point.
"We've recently been with this location before and have happen to be behind," Johnson said. "I without doubt believe that I can be a component of this tournament battle in a handful of months if most of us continue as well as perform what we should realize we could do."
But Dover, dubbed "The Monster Mile," is usually a shifty one-mile speedway that may spawn multiple wrecks. One misfortune could possibly finish Johnson's battle even though his No. twenty four Chevrolet makes trapped inside another person's mistake.
At Dover's spring contest in May, Johnson contributed your race-high 207 laps. But Kenseth picked up after modifying a couple of auto tires on his final pit stop and some took four, along with Johnson finished ninth.
Johnson's only wining this months followed a month earlier, when he / she nipped Clint Bowyer by way of foot during Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
To gain some sort of sixth Cup title, Johnson also has to be able to defeat this early push enjoyed simply by Stewart together with his not one but two Chase victories.
Stewart appeared to be the last airport taxi driver to acquire the Cup championship ahead of Johnson begun his / her ability with 2006, a different year whereby Johnson started that Chase poorly nonetheless rallied.
james.peltz@latimes.com
No comments:
Post a Comment