CONCORD, N.C. – Heading into race weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, NASCAR Cup Series drivers will face a newly repaved and reconfigured track.
Jimmie Johnson, whose six wins at Texas are the most all-time, shared his approach to the changes.
“We will definitely tiptoe our way into it,” Johnson said Friday. “Turns 1 and 2 are way different. So, just trial and error. I think the big issue we are going to deal with today is how quickly the rubber goes down.”
Although the track has not been completely changed, the driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS recognizes that this weekend will be a fresh start for everyone.
“Anytime there is a reconfiguration, a new asphalt, it’s a total game-changer,” he explained. “All history is now out the window and it’s like we are coming here for the first time.”
The repave and altered turns present separate challenges for drivers, but Johnson believes that the asphalt will be the biggest challenge.
“I think the asphalt itself is going to be a bigger factor in this first race,” he said. “As time goes on I think the extra real estate we have in Turns 1 and 2 will become more the story, but getting started it’s going to be tire wear-related and the asphalt.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the track, Johnson remains optimistic about his ability to reach Victory Lane.
“I have it in me,” he said.