In fact, Lowe’s announcing it would cease sponsoring Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports past this season was a move many within the NASCAR industry foresaw coming for some time.īut while anticipated, it doesn’t blunt the significance any. “I think it will be more difficult near the end of the year and even next year once I have experience and I am in the mix more regularly.The news cannot be deemed shocking. “Right now, I understand the job I have ahead of me, and I am perfectly content with where I’m at,’’ Johnson said of his measured approach. And no one is more determined to deliver than Johnson. Longtime fans, corporate America, even his competitors want to see Johnson have success in this gutsy career pivot. Just as importantly to Johnson, the welcome and the promise of his new quest has allowed him to bring worthy attention to causes and organizations he is passionate about such as the American Legion, which is featured on his car. It’s that kind of full-on, high profile support that makes Johnson one of the most popular drivers in the Ind圜ar paddock - already - and has attracted big corporate sponsors to his No. But I believe his NASCAR fans will support him here in Ind圜ar.” He’s got a lot to learn and it may take a couple years before he’s competitive in every race. “I think he’s going to be all right, maybe not Top-10 right away. “This is something he’s always wanted to do, so I know he’ll be good at it,’’ said Dingler, who became a Johnson fan all the way back in 2001 after his previous favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt, was killed in a Daytona 500 last-lap accident. Wearing a bright blue t-shirt with Johnson’s photo and former NASCAR car on it, Dingler smiled and said that just walking around the track Friday, he’s already received a lot of pats-on the-back in recognition of his Johnson leaning. Pete race from his home outside Orlando for the last four years. Race fan Steven Dingler, 44, has driven to the St. His fans, even those that might not have cheered for him in NASCAR, say they have massive respect for Johnson’s venture way outside the comfort zone. But so many of these tracks, especially the street circuits, I really have to start over from ground zero from an expectation standpoint.” “The next race for me is the Indy Road Course and I did have a chance to test there last July, so I know where the track goes and have some expectations of what to do so I’m excited about that. “I think until I come back to tracks that I’ve tested at, I really have to keep simplistic goals in mind and that’s just making laps,’’ Johnson explained. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet, was fastest.īut Johnson is in full learning mode.
Two-time defending race winner Josef Newgarden, driver of the No. So, it should not surprise anyone that Johnson was the slowest driver in Friday's opening practice.
It’s actually the first time in his career he’s raced on a street circuit at all. Even his fellow Ind圜ar drivers reached out, acknowledging the importance of that day.Īnd while technically, this weekend marks his second Ind圜ar start, he feels brand new again, considering he’s never raced on the St.
The smile and gratitude was obvious even under his facemask, as Johnson spoke of all the messages from friends and family he received after his debut last Sunday. So there is a process here I’m going to have to go through.” I crashed in all three and didn’t finish on the lead lap. I look back at the first three Cup races I ran in 2001. “They are so good at what they do and this is so different than what I’ve been exposed to that there’s no other way to get exposed other than diving headfirst. It just speaks volumes of how easy these guys make it look. And I’ve been so used to it on the Cup side and that was my safe place and now I’m in an unsafe place trying all over again. “I think professionals do a really nice job of making their sport look easy.
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