Subscibe to our feedTeam Lowe's Racing Searches for 1st Watkins Glen Victory
Jimmie Johnson and Team Lowe’s Racing will be looking for their first road-course victory when they visit the winding 11-turn track at Watkins Glen International this weekend
The three-time reigning Sprint Cup Series champions have 43 wins under their belt, but have been unable to find victory lane at either Watkins Glen or Infineon Raceway. And while Johnson says there are some differences in the two venues, he believes they are just around the corner from their first win.
“We've made a lot of progress the road courses,” said Johnson. “In Infineon, I had a speeding violation and was able to drive up through all the cars and find myself in fourth. So I think we're making great gains. I'm becoming much more aware of what these cars need on road courses.
“Speed is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of the difference between Watkins Glen and Sonoma. The speed of Watkins Glen is so much higher. But also the track is so much wider and the corners are low and much more sweeping, which gives you that speed. So they are two totally different approaches."
With his last two trips to Watkins Glen resulting in top 10 results, Johnson is confident heading into Sunday’s race.
“We were very fast at the race last year at The Glen, so I think we have a shot; our best shot yet."
The race will be broadcast live on ESPN beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
RACE NOTES
Watkins Glen International
- Johnson has made seven Sprint Cup Series starts at Watkins Glen International, posting three top-five and four top-10 finishes.
- The 2.45-mile road course is one of only six Sprint Cup tracks on which Johnson hasn’t visited Victory Lane. The others are Bristol, Infineon, Chicago, Michigan and Homestead.
- The three-time champion has completed 89.4% (565 of 632) of competition laps at the New York track and has led six.
- Johnson has an average start and finish of 7.3 and 13.1.
Chassis- Johnson will pilot chassis No. 543 in Sunday’s road-course event. He last drove it to a fourth-place result at Infineon Raceway in June.
- The backup chassis, No. 442, was driven to a seventh-place finish last year at Watkins Glen International.