LONG POND, Pa. – It’s a good thing that seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson secured himself into the playoffs earlier this season with three wins in seven races because, the No. 48 team is struggling with the post-season not far off the horizon.
After qualifying 14th earlier in the day, Johnson found himself escaping trouble on Lap 1 when Matt Kenseth got loose underneath him and triggered an eight-car crash in Turn 3.
Later in the race, Johnson found his day done on Lap 57 after contact with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kasey Kahne led to Johnson’s fifth did not finish (DNF) of the season.
Chalking the incident up to a racing accident, Johnson noted that he didn’t get the best restart following the conclusion of Stage 1, Johnson was running in the high lane when Kahne’s right-front tire hit his left rear, sending Johnson’s No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet into the Turn 3 wall.
The finish also contributed to a summer slump for the No. 48 team who hasn’t finished better than 10th since their win at Dover International Speedway in June. Furthermore, Sunday’s finish also yielded his third DNF in the last four races because of a crash.
“It’s just hard racing,” said Johnson. “We were going into Turn 3 and the guys were lifting and he just missed his marks a little bit and luckily we didn’t crash. And then I was in the outside lane and losing some spots. I think the No. 5 washed-up into me and king of finished me off over there in Turn 3.
“It’s definitely not the day we wanted to have but I don’t think either one of those situations were intentional by any stretch. It’s just a bummer day for this whole Lowe’s team and we’ll get our Chevy ready for next week and go do it again.”
Since Dover, Johnson has only posted a best effort of 10th twice at Michigan International Speedway (June) and New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Furthermore, Johnson has led just 16 laps in the last eight races.
Knowing that he has an assured spot in the playoffs starting at Chicagoland Speedway in September, Johnson says it’s somewhat of a relief to know that the stretch of bad luck won’t keep him from contending for a record eighth-championship, but the Hendrick Motorsports driver says his team needs to find more speed to be a contender.
“It helps,” added Johnson. “It helps knowing that you are locked in, but at the same time I think we are missing a little bit of speed and then to have luck kind of not go our way the last few weeks; I mean we want the momentum going the right direction for us.
“We are getting close to the end of the regular season, so ideally, we would like to get things rolling. We have won championships a variety of ways. I know it’s a heck of a lot easier if you have some momentum on your side rolling into August and September.”
Leaving Pocono with 16 playoff points, Johnson knows Sunday’s race was an opportunity for lost cause when it came to stage and playoff points. However, Johnson insinuated it may not be before the season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway before everyone realizes their true significance.
“Definitely a lost opportunity for playoff points. I don’t think any of us truly understand how important they are,” offered Johnson, who has scored a playoff point since Sonoma. “I think we all recognize they’re going to be important – we’ll know so much more at the end of the year.
“Thankfully, those races in the final elimination round are pretty good for us and if we can win there, it’ll kind of take care of that problem. If not, we want to cover that other base with playoff points; we’re sitting good now, but there’s no telling what’s going to happen.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
