Jimmie Johnson’s Driving Style Not Compatible With Current NASCAR Cup Car
Seven-time NASCAR Cup champion and Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson admits he’s having a difficult time adjusting to the series' current car.
At Texas Motor Speedway this weekend, Johnson spun during practice for the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400. Then he brought out the first yellow flag during the race on Lap 51 when he spun in turn four. He regained his lost lap when he received the free pass on the fifth caution period, and eventually had to settle for a 29th-place finish on the lead lap.
“I spent a lifetime running a car off the right rear,” Johnson says. “This car you just cannot do that. From the aero platform, the tire and I believe the sidewall stiffness of the tire, you can’t slip and slide this car around like I like to do. I kept telling myself coming into this weekend that I need to drive off the right front.”
Johnson completed all 276 laps in the double overtime race, and he noted that was the most laps he has had in the current Cup car.
“I now have an idea of what to do,” Johnson said. “I feel like I learned a lot this weekend to help myself.”
The race was Johnson's second of 2024. He finished 28th at the season-opening Daytona 500.
