Subscibe to our feedLate-Race Accident Relegates Johnson to 30th-Place Finish
TALLADEGA, Ala. – It was typical Talladega for Team Lowe’s Racing and driver Jimmie Johnson Sunday as a late-race accident relegated the championship team to a 30th-place finish in the second restrictor-plate race of the season.
"It's tough to race here,” said Johnson. “I mean it's just disappointing how many hours go into these cars and then we come out here and tear them up like we do.
“We were smart all day long and I think the field in general did a pretty good job of using their heads. Then there at the end some guys were beat and were trying to cram their way back in the line and caused a wreck. It's too bad that it happened."
Like most other cars in the field, Johnson’s Kobalt Tools Impala SS shuffled its way up and down the scoreboard throughout the 188-lap, 500.8-mile race. But in the later stages of the event, Johnson looked to be closing in a solid finish.
"I felt like I had a car that could do something at the end,” explained Johnson. “It was really a matter of the momentum and when your group of cars surged to the front. I think there were probably 30 cars that could have won that race. It's just about when it's your turn to be up front and make a move."
But before he could make his move, two cars got together on the racetrack, triggering a 10-car incident with only eight laps remaining and collecting Johnson in the carnage.
"I just saw a bunch of guys trying to fight back into line that didn't have a spot,” explained Johnson. “When they did, they came across another car's nose and tore up a bunch of racecars in the process. It's unfortunate to go that long and get to the end of the race and waste a day like that.”
Johnson brought his Kobalt Tools Chevrolet down pit road, but the damage was too severe to repair with just six laps remaining.
"I'm just disappointed,” Johnson said. “It looked to me like some guys were beat and didn't have the position and tried to force their way into the outside and that started that wreck. It's just too bad. I wish this Kobalt Tools Impala was out there at the end."
The Sprint Cup Series will race under the lights next weekend at Richmond International Raceway. The Saturday-night event will be broadcast live on FOX beginning at 7 p.m. ET.