Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson hoping change in mindset pays off at Daytona
By SceneDaily Staff
Friday, July 03, 2009
Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson is third in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings heading into Saturday's race at Daytona International Speedway.
David Griffin
NASCAR Scene
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Jimmie Johnson has looked almost invincible the past three seasons, winning 19 races and three consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championships.
But if the Hendrick Motorsports driver has had an Achilles heel, it’s been restrictor-plate races. In 30 combined races at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, Johnson has only two victories, in the 2006 Daytona 500 and at Talladega in April of that year.
Johnson feels he’s fallen a bit behind at restrictor-plate races, especially with NASCAR’s new car.
“The restrictor-plate tracks have been tough on me in general,” Johnson said Thursday at DIS. “There was a period of time where I won a couple of races and then the car kind of changed and went away from there. So in general, defending, trying to pick the right line to be in or to block … those aspects of racing, I have never really been that good at.”
Johnson says it’s not an equipment issue holding him back in plate races. It has more to do with his mental outlook.
“My teammates and I, we talk about different techniques in the cars and about what we do and so far, all the conversations that I have had with everybody … I feel like I’m doing what they are talking about,” Johnson said. “They are such small, split-second decisions and I am missing it somewhere. The end result is … I haven’t been running all that well and I have been running in the back and haven’t led many laps.”
Without being specific, Johnson said he’s going to try a different approach Saturday night in the Coke Zero 400.
“I have a good idea about what I have been doing and I am going to make some changes and take a little different approach to the race this weekend and hopefully it pays off,” he said.
Popular News
-
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS: Which Sprint Cup star will snap his long winless streak first?
Comments (186) -
For Dale Earnhardt Jr., life as an Earnhardt is not easy, especially when you're not winning
Comments (139) -
Jeff Owens: Should RCR’s black No. 3 return to NASCAR’s Cup series?
Comments (119) -
Hendrick Motorsports’ Mark Martin more prepared mentally and physically for 2010
Comments (105) -
Dale Earnhardt Inc. plans for Jeffrey Earnhardt still in flux
Comments (96)
Recent Headlines
-
SEASON PREVIEW: Camping World Truck Series Top-20 Rankings
Post Comment -
Josh Wise to drive in Nationwide Series for Specialty Racing
Post Comment -
HBO’s ‘24/7 Jimmie Johnson’ documentary series expected to shift into high gear tonight
Comments (1) -
SEASON PREVIEW: Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards hungry to regain place among Sprint Cup’s elite
Comments (1) -
Elliott Sadler, Kyle Busch among 39 entered in Daytona Truck race
Comments (1)
Poll PositionView All
After qualifying and the Budweiser Shootout, who is the favorite to win the Daytona 500?
Promotions
-
Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.
-
Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the NASCAR Racing Experience.
Comments
4 responses to "Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson hoping change in mindset pays off at Daytona". Post a Comment.
minkee2 said:
Jul 3, 2009 at 5:01 PMIf anyone can do it, Jimmie and the #48 crew can get it done!! GO JIMMIE, and HAPPY 4TH TO EVERYONE!!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportTuxcatmama said:
Jul 3, 2009 at 5:57 PMQuit thinkin' with your dipstick, Jimmeh!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportbthompson133 said:
Jul 3, 2009 at 8:43 PMSMACK!!!! that's for thinking with your dipstick
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportdchessani said:
Jul 5, 2009 at 2:12 AMWELL JIMMIE DARLIN' WHATEVER YOU DID WORKED.. SECOND PLACE WHEWHOOOO! WHAT A FINISH.. VERY HAPPY TO SEE JIMMIE FINISH THAT RACE IN ONE PEICE.. ON TO CHICAGOLAND... GO JIMMIE GO!! YOU ROCK!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Report