SPEEDWAY, Ind. – As the regular season comes to a close this weekend, Jimmie Johnson knows now is the time for the No. 48 team to put it all together.
Currently 15th in the playoff standings, Johnson has an opportunity to clinch his spot in the postseason in Sunday’s Brickyard 400, and he believes his team will do just that.
“This could be a very big turnaround race for us,” he said. “I definitely believe that and feel it. We qualified well here last year and raced well here and had a shot to win if it wasn’t for the oil leak. I think the No. 78 and the No. 18 were the class of the field and we were in that next group. So, if we do our part, I think we can have a shot at the end.”
Johnson faces several different scenarios to make the 16-driver playoff field.
If there is a new winner outside of the current 16-driver playoff grid, Johnson would guarantee a clinch by scoring 37 points in Sunday’s Brickyard 400.
If there is a repeat winner, or a win by Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, Aric Almirola or teammate Alex Bowman, he would clinch his spot on points regardless of his own finish.
Of course, a win would also put him in – and do wonders for the No. 48 team.
“I couldn’t even put into words what it would mean and do,” Johnson said. “We’ve worked so hard and have had some good moments along the way that could have turned into great moments. And, mistakes on my behalf or the team or whatever it might be; bad luck, misfortune, we’ve just not been able to capitalize on opportunities that have been there.”
“We are all still very eager to turn it around and know that we will,” he continued. “And a win is the way to turn it around. We’ve seen this team get hot at times and we’ve been unstoppable. And a win would be the starting point of that. So, I’m very hopeful we can get that done this weekend.”
Johnson has certainly seen his fair share of success at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He has the second-most NASCAR Cup Series wins at the track all-time with four.
He also finds himself among an all-star cast of NASCAR Hall of Fame drivers who have won races considered the “crown jewel” events in the Cup Series – the Daytona 500, Charlotte 600, Brickyard 400 and Southern 500. Johnson has a total of 12 wins in those events, which is the second-most behind only Gordon’s 17. He is one of just four drivers to win in each of the current four "crown jewels."
And he’s excited to take on one of those “crown jewels” this weekend, noting that the Brickyard 400 falling as the regular-season finale only “heightens” the drama.
“I can see many scenarios where people throw caution to the wind,” he said. “if you’re in (the playoffs), you can be more aggressive. If you’re out, you can be more aggressive. It’s a ‘crown jewel,’ so you’re aggressive to start with. So, I see it being more intense than the previous date and time of the year that it’s been.”
While he acknowledged the 2018 campaign has been “difficult” at times for the No. 48 team, he doesn’t let that affect the way he approaches each and every race.
“The best thing I can do for my team is to show up as if I’m in the middle of that five-championship stretch and have that swagger and show up ready to roll,” he said. “That’s one of my responsibilities to do each week.
“So, I’m ready. Let’s go.”