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“I couldn’t believe how many people spotted me,” “Once you get up front, it’s a whole different ballgame
Johnson said. “It was loud, especially the closer we than when you’re in traffic. You need the car to turn a
got to town. Once somebody would recognize me, the specific way when you are back there, so really having
crowd would get going and I could kind of egg them on a good race strategy and staying up front are important
and get everybody pretty loud. It was a lot of fun.” for a good finish.”

Johnson has likewise enjoyed a lot of good times inside Regardless of where Johnson finishes on Sunday,
the walls of New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where New Hampshire Motor Speedway has prepared a much-
during one short stretch early in his career, he was deserved special tribute to the future NASCAR Hall
downright dominant. After finishing 15th and ninth, of Famer.
respectively, in his first two trips to his Loudon oval,
Johnson turned it up a notch by sweeping the two “Jimmie Johnson is one of the best athletes in the world
NASCAR Cup Series races held at NHMS in 2003. Seven and one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR
years later, he returned to victory lane here, but he history,” said NHMS executive vice president and general
hasn’t been back since. manager David McGrath. “He is a three-time winner
at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and a seven-
“This is a scrappy track; one that is tough to win on,” time champion whose legacy will continue for years
Johnson said. “Over the years, we have struggled, but to come. Here in New England, his impact included
it’s been good to me as well.” winning races, spending time with fans and running
the Boston Marathon. We can’t wait to celebrate his
Regardless of his lengthy dry spell, Johnson has almost accomplishments.”
always managed to be a factor at NHMS, recording
a total of 22 top-10 finishes over 34 previous starts Johnson can hardly wait to take one more shot at a
here. Perhaps just as impressive, the veteran driver has New Hampshire victory – even if he finds himself a little
completed 96.3% of all the laps run at this facility since melancholy when it comes time to suit up here for the
he entered the NASCAR Cup Series as a rookie in 2002. last time.
It’s fair to say he’s learned a thing or two about what it
takes to be successful at NHMS. “It would be incredible to win in my final start at New
Hampshire,” Johnson said. “A win anywhere is never to
“It starts with qualifying,” said Johnson, who scored all be taken for granted and it’s a memory that will always
of his New Hampshire victories with former crew chief be cherished. New Hampshire is a special place.”
Chad Knaus and will be making his first start here this
weekend with Cliff Daniels atop the No. 48 pit box.
“Getting a good starting spot is really important and
not just because of pit stall selection. It’s tough to
pass here, and starting in the back just makes
your day that much tougher. Track position
is key, and the car drives differently
depending on where you are.

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