His for 11 start left a number of wondering when Johnson would take a check standard.
The six-time champ bottle check that off the list as soon as winning the Coca-Cola 600. Now, its off to Dover International Speedway where Johnson is the heavy choice Sunday to start a winning streak and supplement to his resume as the tracks greatest driver.
We are coming to my choice racetrack, Johnson whispered, and by the stats, probably our preeminent marks as well.
When Johnson seized off partner Dale Earnhardt Jr. down the stretch in September, he zipped his technique keen on the Dover greatest manuscript with his eighth be the victor. Johnson had shared the mark of seven wins on the distinct mile with Bobby Allison and Richard Petty. He swept Dover in 2002 and 2009 and won races in 2005, 2010 and 2012. He looked-for only 24 starts to be the victor eight Petty looked-for 46 races to be the victor seven time and Allison had 35 races.
Johnson was humbled by holding a area in history with NASCAR Hall of Famers.
When I look at the people that Im tying or have the opportunity to beat for those serious titles, its the heroes of our sport, he whispered. When you look at their stats and what theyve completed for our sport, household names, its no small feat to tie or have the opportunity to beat these guys for races won at the marks.
Johnson seized his baby daughter in his arms in Victory Lane for the original time in 2010, and he celebrated in a clown extension in 2012.
Sweet or silly, a Johnson dance at Dover has befall an expected part of the NASCAR term.
His eight wins match his total at Martinsville for mainly at one marks, check flags waved from the pre-Chase era due to the Car of Tomorrow the entire the technique to the Gen-6. Save for the cool, confident Johnson behind the wheel of the No. 48 Chevrolet with crew chief Chad Knaus calling the shots hasnt changed.
Regardless of alter, there are just a number of tracks that work out well for you, Johnson whispered. You are able to still become aware of that feeling you are looking for regardless of state of affairs.
Johnson skilled fourth for Sundays race (Brad Keselowski won the pole), which bidding absolutely keep him in the mix for be the victor No. 9. He won from eighth last term and has rallied from as a long way away back as 19th in 2002 to be the victor.
He owns the largest pool of Monster trophies awarded by the marks. Notorious as the Monster Mile, the Dover winner gets a looming Miles The Monster trophy that weighs 60 pounds and measures at just less than 1 feet from the base to the top of the hand that clutches a little car.
Johnson keeps five on the top projection of a bar at his home. He has the time-out scattered around a pub set up inside a warehouse for his classic car pool.
Theyre a big trophy and they certainly draw a fate of attention, Johnson whispered.
Here are five things to know direction keen on the race:
Choice Marks: Jimmie Johnson has eight good reasons to call Dover his choice marks. Save for hes not the only driver who enjoys his 400-mile spins around the distinct monster. Joey Logano, who won the pole for Saturdays Nationally race, and loves Dover. This is definitely my choice marks, he whispered. I grew up in Connecticut and we arent in addition a long way away down the road from there. This is a neat area to route at. How re you Matt Kenseth? Its always been one of my favorites, he whispered. You bottle criticize it. Its one of the tracks thats pretty challenging to persuade around gaining by by hand and then you heave the entire of them cars outmoded there and it makes it a fate harder. Of course, having Johnson and his eight wins at Dover makes winning a fate harder, and. Kenseth has two wins in 30 starts at Dover Logano has yet to be the victor a Cup race at Dover.
Join in IT AGAIN: Dover is always a type race because it bottle help teams form a better game arrange for when the progression returns Sept. 28. Dover is third in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship organize, made flush additional important this term because of NASCARs new elimination format. As soon as Dover, the 16-driver pasture bidding be trimmed to 12. It bidding be a last gasp for a number of drivers to sling or boost their spot for a championship route. A strapping route Sunday bottle certainly serve as confidence-building opening act for Septembers big show. Were looking for as much information as we bottle gather to get paid sure that if were in the Chase and come back, we bottle be competitive enough to go be the victor the championship and be strapping at that race, four-time Jeff Gordon whispered. Theres no doubt that this is an important marks. We recognize that this is a marks that you bottle be the victor this championship with.
HAMLIN HELPS: Denny Hamlin bidding drive Sunday with an Autism Speaks puzzle piece paint graphic on the No. 11 Toyota. Hamlin and members of his FedEx racing team donated toys to families at the marks from Toys R Us that bottle help children with autism develop language, creativity and social skills. FedEx returns as the title sponsor of the race for the fourth straight day, FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks. It expenditure these families a fate of riches to have a child with autism, a fate of time, Hamlin whispered. Its important for us to keep with that cause. The marks has a keen area with a uninterrupted zone for parents to help their children escape the crowd, if necessary.
PATRICKS START: Danica Patricks recent route of strapping qualifying starts ended with a thud at Dover, coming in 28th. She in progress seventh at Talladega, ninth at Kansas (and over seventh), and fourth last weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mainly of the people that are meeting there saying she is not doing a good job have not at all set foot in a race car to begin with, car owner and partner Tony Stewart whispered. I dont really pay attention to that in addition much. I ponder she is doing a good job or we wouldnt have her here.
CUP Presentation: Brett Moffitt is set to get paid his Sprint Cup presentation driving the No. 66 Jay Robinson Racing Toyota. The 21-year-old Moffitt has hardened for Michael Waltrip Racing and won at Dover in the K&N Pro Progression East progression. The ride comes as part of a partnership with MWR. He starts a continuous 18th, two spots ahead of Tony Stewart. He made one Nationally Progression start in 2012 and two in the Truck Progression last term.