Right now it’s Jimmie Johnson’s world, 11 other drivers just live in it. After two solid second place finishes in the opening rounds of NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup Johnson is now atop the points lead, as he and the rest of the field head to Dover International Raceway for Sunday’s AAA 400. Based on momentum and history, Johnson comes in as the favorite and the driver everyone else will be chasing. Should Johnson continue his roll this week most of the field could be just along for the ride for the rest of the Chase.
Johnson won here in June and leads all active drivers with seven wins including four in the last eight races at Dover. During that span he has also scored six top-five finishes and has led 54% of the laps he’s raced at the one mile oval.
“The intensity you have to drive Dover with, it really fits my style,” Johnson said. “It’s the closest track we have to being airborne each lap with the drop off into turns one and three. It’s just cool; you’ve got to bring your big boy pants every lap there and I love it.” MORE>>>
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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