Since becoming the owner driver of Legacy Motor Club on his NASCAR return, Jimmie Johnson has witnessed a massive drop in performance. The seven times Cup champions’ best finish with his team is a P28, which he has scored twice. His latest Cup outing was no different as he was forced retire following an early race spin.
Jimmie Johnon was taken out clash that involved Spire Motorsports’ Corey Lejoie. While they were fighting for position, the No:84 Toyota Camry suddenly slowed down and the No:7 Chevy Camaro ZL1 of Spire that was coming in hot had nothing to do other than make contact with the LMC cars’ bumper.
Johnson lost control of his car and spun onto the infield grass. The damage to the car was bit too much, the No:84 team decided call it an end to their day. The fact that his teammates Corey Heim and John Hunter Namecheck, went on to finish inside the top-25, with the latter securing P13 makes it another promising day that slipped.
It seems it might become more hectic that he ever expected for Johson to understand the Next-Gen car as it is much different from any other machinery he has driven in his whole career. The back-to-back incidents are really hurting his fans as well, especially this week as he gave them some hope with securing P19 in qualifying.
Jimmie Johnson is unhappy with the incident
While talking about the incident, Jimmie Johnson pointed out that he was slowing down to correct his line in the corer coming into the corner. But while he was setting up the move, he was hit behind and it ended his day.
I was just slowing to make the turn. There's traffic in front of me, so I'm trying to set up my line so that I'm in clean air. And I'm just driving the entire direction of the car in front of me. And I was just setting up for the corner and I got hit from behind. Jimmie Johnson said.
He went on to point out that it wasn’t an intentional move from his rival, Cory as he knowns majority of racers wont dump someone from behind. But he admitted that he would have liked to see some more awareness in the situation.
I know it wasn't intentional. I know Cory and I know a lot of these guys out there; they're not just going to dump you going into the turn. A little bit more awareness in that situation would have been good. Jimmie Johnson added.
The seven times Cup champion is struggling to cope with the Next-Gen car, but with enough practice he can get back to the top. But he has made a lot sacrifices for it to do it, including going through some more such tough races.
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