CONCORD, N.C. -- The first off-week of the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season has arrived, and drivers are ready to recharge after a thrilling West Coast swing.
"I'm in vacation mode already," Jimmie Johnson joked in the media center moments after winning last Sunday's race.
Crew chief Chad Knaus made the argument that the off-week comes at the best time for the No. 48 team, because the Lowe's Superman Chevrolet's trip to Victory Lane can linger.
"Typically, as you guys know, as soon as we get back to the shop on Monday, we're focused on the upcoming event," Knaus explained. "Fortunately enough it's a long trip. Everybody gets to fly home, catch their breath and take a week to enjoy it."
The crew chief said he makes sure to emphasize to his teammates to celebrate their victories.
"Go out and enjoy it," he said. "This will give the guys plenty of opportunity to do that before we go to Martinsville, so I'm glad about it."
For now, the Easter weekend can bring celebration and relaxation. Then it's back to work for the first weekend of April, when the series returns to the track at Martinsville.
"You always want to try to win before an off-week, because they last two weeks," Knaus said. "That's the best way you could ever set it up."