Johnson mired in career-worst 28-race streak

Jimmie Johnson’s start to the NASCAR season is not worthy of a seven-time champion.

How bad is it? He has just one top-10 finish in five races and goes to Martinsville Speedway mired in a career-worst 28-race losing streak.

But Johnson can take heart in this: He has nine victories at Martinsville, most among active drivers, and despite his slump must be considered a favorite for Sunday’s race at the Virginia short track.

He laughed Saturday at the reminder of his losing streak, which dates to Dover, Delaware, last June, and pointed out he did indeed win three Cup races in 2018.

If fans of Johnson’s No. 48 team are freaking out — especially since Lowe’s, the only primary sponsor he’s had in the Cup, is leaving at the end of the season — Johnson is not. The reality is the most consistent and successful driver of his generation is the veteran during a Hendrick Motorsports reorganization and Chevrolet’s launch of an on-track Camaro.

There’s a lot of stuff going on and it’s going to take time to work out the kinks.

“At the end of last year, there were layers of high frustration and some embarrassment that we just couldn’t get things going in the right direction,” Johnson said Saturday. “This year, we’ve improved every week and have seen great strides. I’m very optimistic that success is out there in front of us and around the corner.”

Through five races this season, Johnson sits 18th in the standings.

Truex Jr. awarded pole for Cup race

Weather washed out qualifying for NASCAR’s first stop this season at a short track and Martin Truex Jr. will start Sunday from the pole.

There was no qualifying session because of a wintry mix that moved through the Virginia area. NASCAR set the Cup field by owner’s points.

Truck Series race moved to Sunday

NASCAR postponed the Truck Series race because rain stalled Saturday’s event after 23 laps.

The race will resume Sunday evening after NASCAR completes the Cup Series event.

Ben Rhodes started from the pole and led every lap. NASCAR stopped trucks on pit road after the 23rd lap.