By Sarah Handy, Staff Writer
Auto Club Speedway isn’t just seven-time Champion Jimmie Johnson’s home track but the site of his first win in NASCAR’s Cup Series on April 28, 2002.
Johnson brought home a solid fifth place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last Sunday. He remains very optimistic about his chances of obtaining his seventh win at the California track.
“It would be insane,” said Johnson. “Home track, first win, you could just go down the list of meaningful talking points that could come out of it. The way last weekend went with the speed that we had in our Hendrick cars and the way mine drove, I’m very optimistic about this weekend and it would just be incredible to pull that off if we could.”
Sunday will not only be special as many of Johnson’s family and friends will be in attendance, but his wife Chandra and two daughters, Genevieve and Lydia will wave the green flag.
It’s something Johnson is definitely excited for.
“Just really excited for it. This year we are really trying hard to enjoy as much as we can and really take any opportunity that comes our way,” said Johnson.
“This is certainly a different one for us and my family. I’m very thankful that the track came to us with that suggestion to get my family up there in the stands. I think pre-race will be full of emotions. They will have a chance to come across the stage with me and be introduced with their responsibilities. Being a part of the five-wide salute at the front of the field and then to see those hands up there in that flag stand is going to be cool.”
Johnson leads all active drivers in a massive amount of categories at Fontana. He has six wins, 13 top-five and 17 top-10 finishes in 25 career starts.
Something equally impressive?
Heading into Sunday, Johnson has completed 100% of all the laps he’s attempted at the track at 5,706. Not to mention all of those have been on the lead lap.
He hasn’t found victory lane at Fontana since 2016, but he’ll look to change that tomorrow as he rolls off the starting grid in the second starting spot.