By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
Each week, Kickin’ The Tires will highlight the 20th-place finisher from the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Standing as the middleman in weekends with 40-car fields, there is sure to be a story behind each one.
For the second straight race, it’s a top team who filled 20th place at the checkered flag. This time, it was Jimmie Johnson, seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion and Hendrick Motorsports leader who came home 20th in Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 from Michigan International Speedway.
And though top 10s have become more common for team No. 48, 20th seemed to be inevitable after a day spent around the top 20 until the rain-shortened 133-lap distance.
Starting 20th, Johnson lost ground in Stage 1, finishing the 60-lap run 23rd. Stage 2 saw a small jump into the top 20, finishing 18th after some critical adjustments were made to his Chevrolet.
And while the team seemed to have the car heading upward, a pit road penalty at the closing of Stage 2 put Johnson to the rear of the field for the final stage. And with only four laps run in that last run, Johnson was limited on time to make up spots.
Considering his standing on the restart, 20th place at the line was a decent result. Michigan has never been one of Johnson’s most successful track. It took him 25 races to finally win here in 2014, and since then, he’s only scored three top 10s.
For Hendrick, all four cars ran in the top 20, lead with Chase Elliott in ninth. Johnson’s finish, though his worst in the last seven races, continued a top-20 streak dating back to Bristol in April.
But you must wonder how far Hendrick’s and Chevrolet’s improvement will go. Top 10s are more common but where will that next step be made? Sonoma Raceway is next up after the off-week where he will go for win No. 2 in his 17th start.
List of 20th-Place Finishers So Far in 2018
Daytona: Gray Gaulding
Atlanta: Alex Bowman
Las Vegas: Trevor Bayne
ISM: Trevor Bayne (2)
Auto Club: Darrell Wallace Jr.
Martinsville: William Byron
Texas: Gray Gaulding(2)
Bristol: Landon Cassill
Richmond: Ty Dillon
Talladega: DJ Kennington
Dover: Chris Buescher
Kansas: Michael McDowell
Charlotte: Kasey Kahne
Pocono: Clint Bowyer
Michigan: Jimmie Johnson
Mid-Pack With Zach: Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports
By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
Each week, Kickin’ The Tires will highlight the 20th-place finisher from the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Standing as the middleman in weekends with 40-car fields, there is sure to be a story behind each one.
For the second straight race, it’s a top team who filled 20th place at the checkered flag. This time, it was Jimmie Johnson, seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion and Hendrick Motorsports leader who came home 20th in Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 from Michigan International Speedway.
And though top 10s have become more common for team No. 48, 20th seemed to be inevitable after a day spent around the top 20 until the rain-shortened 133-lap distance.
Starting 20th, Johnson lost ground in Stage 1, finishing the 60-lap run 23rd. Stage 2 saw a small jump into the top 20, finishing 18th after some critical adjustments were made to his Chevrolet.
And while the team seemed to have the car heading upward, a pit road penalty at the closing of Stage 2 put Johnson to the rear of the field for the final stage. And with only four laps run in that last run, Johnson was limited on time to make up spots.
Considering his standing on the restart, 20th place at the line was a decent result. Michigan has never been one of Johnson’s most successful track. It took him 25 races to finally win here in 2014, and since then, he’s only scored three top 10s.
For Hendrick, all four cars ran in the top 20, lead with Chase Elliott in ninth. Johnson’s finish, though his worst in the last seven races, continued a top-20 streak dating back to Bristol in April.
But you must wonder how far Hendrick’s and Chevrolet’s improvement will go. Top 10s are more common but where will that next step be made? Sonoma Raceway is next up after the off-week where he will go for win No. 2 in his 17th start.
List of 20th-Place Finishers So Far in 2018
Daytona: Gray Gaulding
Atlanta: Alex Bowman
Las Vegas: Trevor Bayne
ISM: Trevor Bayne (2)
Auto Club: Darrell Wallace Jr.
Martinsville: William Byron
Texas: Gray Gaulding(2)
Bristol: Landon Cassill
Richmond: Ty Dillon
Talladega: DJ Kennington
Dover: Chris Buescher
Kansas: Michael McDowell
Charlotte: Kasey Kahne
Pocono: Clint Bowyer
Michigan: Jimmie Johnson