MARTINSVILLE, Va. – When Jimmie Johnson takes the green flag from his second starting position in Sunday’s Cup race, he’ll have pole winner Denny Hamlin to his inside, his closest pursuer in the championship battle, Matt Kenseth–behind him, and a third Joe Gibbs Racing driver, Kyle Busch on the inside of the second row.
“No doubt, we’re going to be racing in close quarters all day Sunday, and I’ve got the best shot at Jimmie’s left rear getting into (Turn) 1,” Kyle Busch said, needling Johnson in the post-qualifying press conference.
The series leader and five-time champion appeared unfazed by the proximity of the three Joe Gibbs Racing cars.
“No, maybe I should be, but not as of now,” Johnson said when asked if he was nervous. “We will all race hard I’m sure. We have all been… at least so far, (there) have been a lot of situations with each driver, and (we’ve) been able to race hard and take it right to the line, but not cross it.”
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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