By Summer Bedgood, Managing Editor
Jimmie Johnson’s performance this year — or lack thereof — has been surprising.
In fact, the performance of the seven-time champion has been surprisingly lackluster since the mid-point of last season. Though the No. 48 statistics certainly haven’t been terrible, Johnson said last weekend in Dover that the team is a victim of their own success. Seven championships over the course of 11 years — including five in a row — and an average of five victories per season absolutely has raised the expectations of the No. 48 team high above those of other race teams.
Although 11 races into the season is relatively early in a 36-race schedule, history shows “win early, win often” is a consistent strategy for this race team. So far winless in 2018, Johnson has previously only gone 11 races into a season without a victory twice in his 17-year career (2003 & 2012). His last victory was in June 2017 at Dover International Speedway.
With the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heading to Kansas Speedway, it is worth considering whether or not Johnson and the No. 48 can get back to their winning ways — starting with this weekend.
Kansas Speedway has historically been a good track for Johnson. Three victories, nine top fives, and an average finish of 9.7 in 23 starts are best amongst active drivers.
On the flip side, Johnson has finished outside the top 10 in three of the last four races at Kansas Speedway and has not led any laps there since 2015.
In fairness, Johnson has some good company in other competitors who are not performing as expected. Chevrolet has only won a single race this season — the season-opening Daytona 500 — and only one Chevy driver — Kyle Larson — has led more than 100 laps, so far, this year. The next highest lap-leader for Chevrolet is Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman with 65.
Of the four Hendrick Motorsports drivers, Chase Elliott has the most top 10s with five. Johnson has four top 10s, one top five, has not led any laps, and has earned an average finish of 16.4 so far in 2018.
Clearly, Johnson isn’t the only one with high expectations that are not currently being met and part of Hendrick Motorsports’ and Chevrolet’s struggles could be the new Camaro ZL1 body. Toyota went through a similar struggle last season after rolling out the 2018 Toyota Camry body before dominating the second half of the season and winning the championship with Martin Truex Jr.
It is possible then, as the season progresses, that Hendrick Motorsports and their fellow Chevrolet teams will begin to catch up with the Ford and Chevrolet teams.
Given his veteran status in that camp, it would be expected that Johnson would lead that charge.
Kansas Speedway would be a great place to start.
“We have to get better on Friday’s to put ourselves in better positions on race days,” Johnson said in a team advance this week. “Starting closer to the front would help us a ton. We are still making gains and I think within the next few weeks we will be where we want to be running. I look forward to Kansas this weekend, it’s been a great track for the No. 48.”
The KC Masterpiece begins Saturday, May 12th at 8PM ET. Television coverage will be on FS1; radio coverage will be on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Kansas Speedway Presents Opportunity for Johnson, Chevrolet To Return To Form
By Summer Bedgood, Managing Editor
Jimmie Johnson’s performance this year — or lack thereof — has been surprising.
In fact, the performance of the seven-time champion has been surprisingly lackluster since the mid-point of last season. Though the No. 48 statistics certainly haven’t been terrible, Johnson said last weekend in Dover that the team is a victim of their own success. Seven championships over the course of 11 years — including five in a row — and an average of five victories per season absolutely has raised the expectations of the No. 48 team high above those of other race teams.
Although 11 races into the season is relatively early in a 36-race schedule, history shows “win early, win often” is a consistent strategy for this race team. So far winless in 2018, Johnson has previously only gone 11 races into a season without a victory twice in his 17-year career (2003 & 2012). His last victory was in June 2017 at Dover International Speedway.
With the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heading to Kansas Speedway, it is worth considering whether or not Johnson and the No. 48 can get back to their winning ways — starting with this weekend.
Kansas Speedway has historically been a good track for Johnson. Three victories, nine top fives, and an average finish of 9.7 in 23 starts are best amongst active drivers.
On the flip side, Johnson has finished outside the top 10 in three of the last four races at Kansas Speedway and has not led any laps there since 2015.
In fairness, Johnson has some good company in other competitors who are not performing as expected. Chevrolet has only won a single race this season — the season-opening Daytona 500 — and only one Chevy driver — Kyle Larson — has led more than 100 laps, so far, this year. The next highest lap-leader for Chevrolet is Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman with 65.
Of the four Hendrick Motorsports drivers, Chase Elliott has the most top 10s with five. Johnson has four top 10s, one top five, has not led any laps, and has earned an average finish of 16.4 so far in 2018.
Clearly, Johnson isn’t the only one with high expectations that are not currently being met and part of Hendrick Motorsports’ and Chevrolet’s struggles could be the new Camaro ZL1 body. Toyota went through a similar struggle last season after rolling out the 2018 Toyota Camry body before dominating the second half of the season and winning the championship with Martin Truex Jr.
It is possible then, as the season progresses, that Hendrick Motorsports and their fellow Chevrolet teams will begin to catch up with the Ford and Chevrolet teams.
Given his veteran status in that camp, it would be expected that Johnson would lead that charge.
Kansas Speedway would be a great place to start.
“We have to get better on Friday’s to put ourselves in better positions on race days,” Johnson said in a team advance this week. “Starting closer to the front would help us a ton. We are still making gains and I think within the next few weeks we will be where we want to be running. I look forward to Kansas this weekend, it’s been a great track for the No. 48.”
The KC Masterpiece begins Saturday, May 12th at 8PM ET. Television coverage will be on FS1; radio coverage will be on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.