CONCORD, N.C.: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB could not wait to get out of Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
After seeing the traditional NASCAR Cup Series race postponed by inclement weather, the suffered hardship during the postponed Monday afternoon race that left two of its drivers with the last wo positions in the race.
Without the beneficiary of practice and qualifying, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson started shotgun on the field in his No. 84 Club Wyndham Chevrolet with teammates Noah Gragson and Erik Jones starting 28th and 26th respectively based on the metrics set by NASCAR.
Johnson had the best run going of the organization early in the race and had climbed inside the top-25 and had the top-20 in his sights after starting 37th but on Lap 75, Johnson’s car broke loose off Turn 2 and onto the backstretch and suffered minor damage.
The co-owner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB was able to meet minimum speed and take himself off the damaged vehicle policy (DVP) – but went to the garage a short time later for a broken suspension piece.
Johnson later returned to the race but spun again on the backstretch on Lap 164 and went to the garage with just 115 laps complete.
While under the fifth caution of the race, Johnson’s teammates Noah Gragson and Erik Jones also went to the garage after both vehicle sustained damage to their radiators after making contact with debris on the race track.
Both drivers returned to the track following a 30 minute 48 second red flag for rain, but Gragson’s engine later seized and sent him home with just 117 laps complete.
Jones was able to see the checkered flag but finish a disappointing 32nd.
Gragson’s frustration rookie Cup Series season continues with his seventh finish of 30th or worse and experienced his fourth DNF (did not finish) of the 2023 season.
“Bummer day for the No. 42 Black Rifle Coffee Company Chevy team,” Gragson explained. “We made it through the first stage clean. Something went through the radiator. We replaced the radiator and the motor blew up. Just frustrating.
“Thank you to Black Rifle Coffee Company and the Menusa family for coming out here. Wish we could have had a better run for them, but it was an honor to have Sgt. Menusa on the windshield.
“It makes this weekend all worth it. Wish we could have given him and his family a better run, but we’ll try again at Gateway.”
Johnson suffered his second last-place finish of the season and third of his entire Cup Series career. He explained what happened in his second incident of the day.
“I just didn’t know we were put in that three-wide situation,” explained Johnson. “There were a bunch of us cars that were wrecked and just trying to limp it home. Unfortunately, I ended up in a situation I wasn’t aware of and got turned around. It’s a bummer for the No. 84 Club Wyndham Chevy team.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01 or [email protected]
