Jimmie Johnson ended his top-10 finish drought with a ninth-place run in Sunday’s Auto Club 400.
The seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion hadn’t been inside the first 10 finishers over the last 10 races dating back to the 2017 season. He started 33rd on Sunday and was able to work his way up to the much-needed ninth given Johnson’s recent struggles.
“Yeah, each week we have been getting a little bit better,” Johnson said. “We are definitely not happy with where we are right now but we are seeing the improvements, we have been seeing it internally. We are making the cars drive better and better and we are getting more competitive. So, a strong day for the Lowe’s Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. We are not where we want to be but we are getting closer every week.”
Johnson praised his team and the set-up that allowed the No. 48 entry to gain position. With no tire challenges and solid pit road work, Johnson enjoyed what he thought was a solid afternoon in his home state.
“It just seemed like we had more durability with that left side tire on lower tire pressures,” Johnson said. “I don’t believe we had any issues relative to that and that is something we are always scared of here, especially on green flag stops when those tire pressures are low.
“We didn’t have that today, but we had some great pit stops, Chad (Knaus) called a great race, and we had a good solid day – so we will take it.”
