Jimmie Johnson flustered by Next Gen car in this behind-the-scene video that was shot during his return to Dover Motor Speedway
Between 2002 and 2017, Jimmie Johnson won 11 NASCAR Cup Series races at Dover Motor Speedway. On Sunday, he made his return, while driving part-time for his own team, Legacy Motor Club.
This was the first time Johnson drove on the 1-mile track with the Next Gen car. Practice came with a bit of a shock…
“It’s a new world. I really need to keep an open mind to driving style and lines on track.”
“You can change tires pressures, a little bit of cross-weight and some shock clicks. But, you cannot fundamentally change the car in practice and qualifying. That’s really one of the things I’m trying to get used to with the Next Gen car.”
After qualifying and practice, Johnson took cameras behind the scenes. In a team meeting, Johnson described the Next Gen car versus previous generations.
Johnson details air blocking
“As I’m trying to get pointed for the second apex, playing with the throttle. I was surprised, it just felt like there was a lot of travel in the front when I rolled in an out of it.”
“My first time on track, there were a few moments. I was trying to get by the No. 99. I was hopeful that I could get close to him in the center of the corner and kinda wedge him up out of the way, get some air in there to move him.”
“I didn’t get on his a**. But, I felt I was close enough with previous generation cars that it would have done something. And, it didn’t do anything.”
“Then, when he would cut the stream off, at the second apex and I was behind him, it was just a loss of down force. I just lost all four and I used up more road than I expected on exit.”
“I don’t know how to think about stuff right now. I’m asking more questions than anything.”
Johnson retired from full-time Cup Series competition following the 2020 season. Following a brief stint in Indycar, Johnson returned in 2023 after purchasing a stake in Legacy Motor Club.
Dover Results: April 28, 2024 (NASCAR Cup Series)
