2nd consecutive win puts Johnson on track
BRISTOL, Tenn. — It was just last month when people were wondering what was wrong with Jimmie Johnson after he got off to a slow start. How silly it was to worry. Johnson won at Bristol Motor Speedway on Monday, giving him consecutive wins for the 11th time in his career. It was the second career win in Thunder Valley for Johnson, who considers it one of his most vexing tracks.
Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports team hit on something for his Chevrolet during Saturday’s practice, and that locked him in for the race, which was postponed a day by rain.
“This track has been really difficult,” said Johnson, who also won at Bristol in 2007. That Saturday find was “honestly, it’s what I’ve been looking for for 16 years.”
“We finally figured it out. So, I’m very, very happy,” he said. “I’ve loved this racetrack from afar ... and it’s been a journey since 2000 until now.”
Johnson snapped his seasonstarting slump April 9 at Texas Motor Speedway, NASCAR’s last event prior to Monday. It ended any chatter that the seven-time and reigning champion might not be able to contend for a record eighth title.
Johnson has 82 career victories, putting him one shy of tying Cal Yarborough for sixth all-time.
Johnson doesn’t like Bristol but had no trouble contending with Kyle Larson, the points leader and most dominant driver of the day. A pit-road speeding penalty on Larson late in the race allowed Johnson to make it look easy in the end. Clint Bowyer finished second, and Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Kevin Harvick was third.