Johnson roll started at Pocono

LONG POND – Upon observation – by those who aren’t privy to the inner workings of a NASCAR Sprint Cup team – Jimmie Johnson’s turnaround happened two races ago at Chicagoland Speedway.

The defending Cup champion who will start on the pole in today’s Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway views it differently.

“I feel that from the Pocono race that we had here in (June),” Johnson said, “maybe even Michigan where we led the most laps, right from there we felt like we patched the holes up in the bottom of the ship and weren’t taking on anymore water.”

Chicagoland, though, demonstrated it was full steam ahead for Johnson and the rest of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet team.

Johnson took the lead with 17 laps remaining at Chicagoland, but a late caution forced a restart where points leader Kyle Busch was able to get around him and win.

“Just from general comments, ‘Wow, Chicago was the turning point,’” Johnson said. “I think in the garage area, among competitors and in our hearts it was a month, month-and-a-half before that. But I think Chicago showed everyone that we weren’t filling them full of BS, that we’re actually making some ground.

“One thing Chicago did for me, it pissed me off to lose. To sit there on a green-white-checkered (finish) and lose the race like that, I’m still kicking myself for that.”

Johnson rallied to win last Sunday at Indianapolis despite the tire fiasco that plagued the entire field. He enters today’s race fourth in points compared to ninth prior to the June Pocono 500.

“I give that credit to (crew chief) Chad (Knaus),” said Johnson, a two-time winner at Pocono. “At times, he’s criticized by his guys for whipping them so hard, but there’s a reason for it in his mindset and my mindset as well.

“We’ll reflect on what we accomplished at the end of the year. Let’s stay focused and stay hungry.”

Kasey Kahne, who will start ninth in his No. 9 Budweiser Dodge, is one adversary that has Johnson concerned. Kahne sliced through the field after a problem on pit road tossed him back to 38th to win in June. Even on a late restart, Johnson and others couldn’t challenge him.

“When I look at Kasey Kahne’s win (in June), yeah he started on the pole, but they had a problem on pit road and he had to go to the back and drive his way up through the field,” Johnson said. “You can pass here, you need a strong car. Even though we’re having some success here, Kasey kicked our butts here. He just flat wore us out.”

Busch has won twice since then, increasing his victories to a series-leading seven. However, Johnson has closed the gap between him and Busch by 81 points entering the Pocono 500 to today’s race.

“I’m very, very impressed with all of them,” said Johnson, referring to Busch’s No. 18 M&M’s Toyota team. “Times are changing; people are catching them a little bit right now. Even though they are still winning, I feel like we’re closing that gap.”

A victory would help even more when the Chase for the Sprint Cup begins after six more races. The top-12 drivers will have their points reset at 5,000. Then the drivers will be given 10 bonus points for each victory.

Johnson has two victories, putting him behind Busch and Carl Edwards, who has three. Busch will start 27th, while Edwards will start 15th.

“I think we as a team on the 48 car perform better under pressure and in those tough times.” Johnson said. “And I hope we can do that again this year because it’s going to be an intense one with a lot of competition.”

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Driver hopes to continue recent hot streak with today’s race.

Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500

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