Taking to Indycar has been a challenge for Jimmie Johnson but since beginning running on the ovals, Johnson has fallen back to true form.
The seven time NASCAR Cup Series Champion has found his home in Indycar when running on ovals. A fantastic run at Texas where he placed sixth was done one better on Sunday at Iowa Speedway. Johnson placed fifth for a career best Indycar finish after a strong run.
Not only is this Johnson’s best career finish but it’s also his first top-five in his Indycar career. Another key stat to the legendary career for Johnson.
UDPB: @JimmieJohnson says he got over the cushion chasing Scott Dixon for fourth before the battle with Ericsson started.
He recorded his first career #IndyCar top 5 today at Iowa. #HyVeeSaluteToFarmers300 pic.twitter.com/yscEF4bw9z
— Always Race Day (@AlwaysRaceDay) July 24, 2022
Saturday, Johnson had a car that ran top ten all day long until fading late. Sunday in the HyVee Salute to Farmers 300, Jimmie was able to use a late race restart as well as a late race pass of teammate Marcus Ericsson to take the fifth spot. Unlike Saturday for Johnson this race came without a spin. A very clean day for the California native.
Johnson was the very first car to try a second lane on Saturday during the race. He was able to get up to the second lane and power around the outside of cars all day long. With him moving up the track other also took notice and tried it. However, no one was able to duplicate what Johnson could do.
“I think it’s just some experience I’ve had carry over,” Johnson said in his post race press conference. “I’m so happy to finally have some experience transfer from stock car to Indycar. Just knowing where to run on the track at different times. Yesterday, early in the race there were some clean spots on the track where people were afraid to get up there and tip toe on the edge and that was something I’m comfortable with. Reminded me a lot of running at Bristol and run right at the edge of the marbles and if you’re willing to get up that extra six or eight inches it would pay off. Today, anytime I caught someone they would move up and run that defensive line and take that spot.”
It certainly hasn’t been the easiest transition for Johnson into an Indycar. He has struggled when the series goes to road and street courses. When he runs the ovals though, Johnson has been money. A sixth place run at Texas was followed with a strong showing at the Indianapolis 500 but not the finish to show for it.
Saturday at Iowa Speedway he had a car that ran near the front and led 19 laps following a spin. The caution put Johnson on a different cycle than the rest of the field but it certainly helped get him higher in the running order. With the strategy being in play, Johnson led a few laps before getting back on cycle.
Then it was a solid run all day in race two. Johnson started near the front and then he went on a run during the start of the race to go from 13th into the top 10. With his first career top five finish, Johnson is able to compare Iowa Speedway to some of the other ovals he ran at in the NASCAR Cup Series.
“New tires around here in an Indycar remind of Bristol. You just drive above and beyond what your brain tells you your car to do. Here later in the run where the tires fall off reminds me of Darlington in a Cup car both are two of my favorite tracks to drive.”
While it looked like Josef Newgarden was going to walk away with another win before a late crash. Then Pato O’Ward led the final stint to the win. Both of those had big stories, but not as big as Jimmie’s. Since it’s the NASCAR legend at a new track, Johnson comes to the facility and runs great.
Johnson now looks forward to the rest of the schedule starting at the Indy Road Course. A big confidence boost for Jimmie Johnson will help him moving into the final portion of the schedule.
