Johnson on right track for bounce back
Jimmie Johnson’s bearded face features a few more gray hairs than during his last visit to Daytona International Speedway.
Going winless for the first time during 17 seasons racing in the Cup series will do that to a driver who has become NASCAR’s gold standard.
Now hungrier than ever before, the 43-year-old is not taking his foot off the gas for a second despite 83 victories, seven season championships and more than $150 million in career earnings.
“It’s just one of those character-building years,” Johnson said. “It hasn’t changed my desire to compete. My desire to win and compete is stronger than it’s ever been.”
Johnson has been making trips to victory lane and chasing records pretty much from the time he climbed into his No. 48 car. He enters 2019 in an unfamiliar position but with a different look as he takes another crack at a record eighth title.
Johnson has a new crew chief and sponsor after breaking up with longtime crew chief Chad Knaus and losing sponsor Lowe’s amid NASCAR’s popularity decline. Both Knaus and Lowe’s were synonymous with the driver’s success.
The impact of those moves will unfold during the coming months, but Johnson is off to a promising start.
On Sunday, Johnson’s car finished third among 42 during qualifying rounds — missing out by a spot on the front row for Sunday’s Daytona 500. Later, Johnson captured a rain-shortened Clash that was shrouded in controversy when his attempted pass of Paul Menard resulted in an epic crash, taking out most of the 20-car field.
Johnson offered no apologies for his aggressive driving despite finger-pointing from runner-up Kurt Busch.
“So he wants the trophy,” Johnson quipped. “I’d politic if I was him, too. Why not?”
Instead, Johnson focused on the positives from a day that ended with his car intact and showing plenty of speed.
“Just a great day,” he said. “Builds confidence for myself and the team, and hopefully we can get it done again next weekend. Great way to start.”
Johnson returned for Daytona 500 preparations 12 months after a crash-filled Speedweeks that saw him total three cars.
“I went back and watched all the videos,” he said. “I didn’t realize how many cars I tore up out here.”
Things on the track rarely would improve as Johnson cracked the top five twice. This from a driver who had posted more than 10 top-five finishes ever year from 2003-16.
These days, Johnson feels reinvigorated.
After so much success teaming with Knaus, he has enjoyed working with new crew chief Kevin Meendering, though Johnson wants to make it clear he and Knaus remain close.
“We were just at his house last weekend visiting his wife and his son and hanging out with our two girls,” Johnson said. “It’s a transition for both of us, and we’re both working through it on the professional side. But the personal side, we’ve been great friends for a long time.”
The bond between Johnson and Lowe’s was just as fruitful. But Ally’s hands-on old-school approach reminds Johnson of sponsors during the sport’s heyday.
“Their commitment to our sport and this team is so 2000, late ’90s, which is amazing,” he said. “Their excitement, their participation in marketing, activation — they’re not just putting a paint job on a car and letting it roll around the track. That’s what took place back in the ’90s and early 2000s.”
Johnson has faced his share of challenges lately. Like he did Sunday, Johnson plans to come out the other side a winner.
“I think it never ends. At least for myself, I challenge myself to evolve through my life,” he said.