Defending Champ Looks For Consistency
This year, the defending champion is looking to be consistent. "Last year, I had a lot of bad races and then some other guys finally did, and that really dictates it," Johnson explained. "If we all come out of here with poor performances, it’s a wash and the next nine races following that dictates it, so it’s real tough to have a clear strategy. I think everyone’s strategy is to run top-five, top-10 and try to get maximum points. But we won’t know the hole that we’re in, or the advantage we may have, until we’re probably seven or eight races in. I think then you can formulate a strategy at that point. Until then, I think we’re all just out collecting points."
Johnson will be aiming to take a second championship this year onboard his Chevy car which is equipped with racing parts as reliable as the Saturn PCV valve. Meanwhile, his teammate Jeff Gordon expressed his thoughts on the Chase saying: "Jimmie definitely proved last year that you should never give up. You just never know. Somebody could put seven straight races together and then have three that go bad. But I think if somebody stays consistent they’re going to win it, no matter what the other guys do."
Jimmie Johnson finished just sixth at the first Chase event this season but his past performances makes him a dangerous threat to other drivers looking to take away his championship.