AUSTIN, Texas: Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson return to the tour in a third LEGACY Motor Club entry didn’t even last one lap in Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas.
Johnson’s No. 84 Wyndham Rewards Chevrolet Camaro was caught up in a multi-car accident while trying to avoid a spinning Brad Keselowski. Johnson was able to dodge Keselowski’s No. 6 Ford
Mustang but was clobbered by Spire Motorsports’ Ty Dillon who was also trying to avoid the chaos.
The damage was terminal for both drivers. Johnson finished 38th and Dillon last in 39th.
Johnson suffered a DNF (did not finish) in his other Cup Series race this season last month in the DAYTONA 500.
“What a disappointing finish,” Johnson said after being evaluated and released from the infield care center. “Unfortunately, we got off to a slow start yesterday and qualified poorly. We all know what happens when you start in the back and unfortunately we were caught up in that.”
The LEGACY Motor Club co-owner thought he had missed the carnage but then abruptly got sideswiped.
“Just a wild and crazy first lap that was taking place,” Johnson recalled. “I thought I had the wreck missed, but I just saw a flash of red out of nowhere. I guess there was more going on the outside of the No. 6 car (Keselowski) as it was spinning, and I saw him and just got collected.”
While many were hopeful that Johnson would return to the seat for the NASCAR All-Star race in May at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway, Johnson’s next scheduled start is the following weekend at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway for the prestigious Coca-Cola 600.
“I’m most disappointed for Club Wyndham,” added Johnson. “They came on board for this race, and they’ll be with me at the Coca-Cola 600. Really disappointed we couldn’t give them a better show.”
For Dillon, his miserable start to his new tenure at Spire Motorsports continues as he suffered his third DNF in the opening six races of 2023.
Dillon averages a finish of 32.8 following COTA and sits a distant 34th place in the Cup standings.
An early COTA caution. Here's what happened: pic.twitter.com/0XFAzSHIt8
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 26, 2023
"It's really disappointing … Sadly, we didn't take one lap under green."- Jimmie Johnson's day comes to an end at COTA.@ReganSmith | https://t.co/82cGlF9XJq pic.twitter.com/5yzJ0N22TK
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 26, 2023
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01 or email at: [email protected].
