Johnson Fights for Top-10 Finish in Richmond
Jimmie Johnson and Team Lowe’s Racing fought a tough battle Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway, but ultimately came away with a 10th-place result.
Johnson started the race third but was challenged quickly by a loose condition in the Kobalt Tools Chevrolet during the first 50 circuits of the 400-lap race.
Crew chief Chad Knaus and the Lowe’s team worked diligently in the pits to make changes to the car but soon Johnson reported a tight feeling, one he would struggle with throughout the night.
Johnson shuffled his way throughout the top 10 for the majority of the event and was running fifth when the race restarted on Lap 177 following the third caution.
Johnson quickly reported the Kobalt machine to be tighter than the previous run and fell back in the pack during an ensuing 191-lap green flag period. But by the time green-flag pit stops rolled around on Lap 267, Johnson was running fourth, but still fighting a “tight-in-the-center” feeling.
A yellow flag eventually waved on Lap 378 and Johnson restarted 10th after coming down pit road for changes. Just three laps later another caution took place and the No. 48 Chevy returned to its pit to continue adjustments.
The Lowe’s Chevrolet restarted 13th on Lap 386 but had driven to ninth by the time the final caution came out on Lap 390.
When the final green-flag waved on Lap 396, Johnson took off, battling traffic and looking to maintain a top-10 position with four laps remaining. But as he and Clint Bowyer’s No. 33 car fought their way around the .75-mile track for the final time, they made contact, resulting in both cars spinning as they crossed the line.
“I guess a little bit of both to be honest with you,” offered Johnson when asked if he was frustrated or glad to have a top-10 result. “Tough night to earn points tonight where we had competitive speed, not dominant speed where we could run with leaders. There at the end, we had guys on tires and I wasn’t on tires and we were just fighting really hard for that spot. Clint (Bowyer) got inside of me off of four and I could hear him in the gas and I wasn’t going to let off. We touched tires and around we went and luckily, I don’t think anyone hit anything hard. Exciting finish for the fans.”
Johnson dropped to second in the driver point standings, 10 points behind current leader Kevin Harvick.
For the second race in a row, the Sprint Cup Series will be under the lights next weekend when they visit Darlington Raceway for a Saturday night event. The race will be broadcast live on FOX beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET.
