Jimmie Johnson is doing his best to put behind last week’s last lap disappointment at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval.
Johnson spun and made contact with Martin Truex Jr. racing for the lead in last week’s Bank of America Roval 400. It was an aggressive move from the seven-time champion that didn’t work out but one he says he does not regret.
“I still have got to make that move,” Johnson said Friday at Dover International Speedway preparing for this Sunday’s Gander Outdoors 400. “I still got to try for it.
“I would have made a small brake bias adjustment, and I think I would have modulated the brakes a little bit different entering the corner. Looking back, I was a little lower than I typically was entering that braking zone and had a bit more steering wheel input in the car and that’s initially why the left front locked up. I would change a couple of things, but I don’t know how I don’t go for it.”
Unfortunately for Johnson the move did not work out for the win and because he slipped back in the final standings to an eighth-place finish, the Hendrick Motorsports driver was also eliminated from the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
So all Johnson can do is focus on ending his winless drought that dates back to May of last season when he scored an 11thcareer win at Dover. He is the all-time winner at the track and Johnson hopes to add another to his win total Sunday.
“We’re at my favorite race track and absolutely, do I want to win the race,” Johnson said. “And, I’ll do everything in my power to win the race. But it takes a collective group to have the car, the pit stops, the strategy, and all that. And, I don’t know if this weekend is that weekend.
“But, if there’s a track where I can make up a tenth or two for the team, this would be one of them. And, I hope I can do that and make the difference.”
Johnson isn’t considered the favorite at least in the nearby Dover Casino sports book where he’s listed at 10-1 behind the likes of Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. But he’s all right with the perception of being an underdog.
“As far as the bets go, I’ve never paid attention to it,” he said. “But, if I can make somebody some money this weekend, I hope I can.”
