Jimmy Johnson
Jimmy Johnson
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionCoach
Date of Birth16 July 1943
CountryUnited States of America
easier extra inch lap pace race racing run smooth speeds tougher track
I think that it's going to be like that, single-file. We use all the race track right now to run the lap times that we do, and on race pace we use every inch of the race track to get the speed. ... It was easier to run side-by-side because you didn't need that extra track. Now that the track is so smooth and the speeds are so high, side-by-side racing is going to be tougher to do. And we just won't see as much of it.
final races waiting
It's just one of those cycles, ... We're a championship team, and we've been waiting for the final 10 races to get it together. We have all the tools.
chase leader matter points pressure races season
I think when you're the points leader you want the season to be over right then and there, ... It doesn't matter how many races in the Chase you are, so from here on out as the points leader, there is some pressure being on you in that position.
five four hit last leading lost momentum near needed points races reason stride top
Momentum and leading the points would be the same thing, ... Last year, we were near the top and lost the momentum. We didn't lead the points going into (the playoff), and the reason was that we weren't where we needed to be. We were doing everything we could, but we really hit our stride four or five races in.
couple finally four learn race three
After three or four years you finally learn how to race 400-mile races. The first couple of years you take too many chances.
bunch came lap last races won
He was way, way out of it and won a whole bunch of races at the end and came real close, right down to the last lap at Homestead, and anything is still possible.
chase highlights improved race second texas
It has improved every year, and now it has become one of the highlights of the season. Not only did it get a second race, but a race in the Chase for the Championship has made Texas even more important to everyone in our sport.
effects good lingering next race start
I think that one of the good things in our sport is that there's always next weekend. You could see some lingering effects at the start of the next race weekend, but it disappears.
last race until
It's not over until the last race at Homestead. But it's going to be tough. It's been tough.
break good hard last race team wins
Like I said, we're only off a bit, ... But it's so hard to break through that last bit. The No. 24 team has always been really good at it with all the championships and race wins he's had.
close days grip less race trends work
The grip will be less now than then (race weekend). We can get close on balance, but the real important thing for us is to work through some trends and have two days to try things that we can't on a race weekend.
aggressive best car driving eyes guy handling hard hung led moves pace race smart sure worked
I just really slowed down the pace of the race in my eyes from what I was doing, made sure that I made smart moves that wouldn't have hung me out of the draft. I didn't try as hard to be the guy that led the most laps, made the most aggressive moves. I worked on the handling of our race car so at the end of the race we had the best driving car.
corner definitely race sends
It's right around the corner for us, ... Every race counts. If you're able to win, it definitely sends a message.
flat hit race start tough
Man, before we hit the start of the race we had a flat tire. It was a really tough day for us.