Photo Credit: Noel Lanier/OnPitRoad.com
Daytona Speedweeks has not been good to seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. After getting caught up in a last lap crash last week in the Advance Auto Parts Clash that relegated him to a 12th place finish, Johnson returned to the 2.5 mile high-banked speedway on Thursday to compete in Can-An Duel #1 to to secure a good starting spot for the Daytona 500.
Unfortunately for Johnson, his bad luck continued. On lap eight of the 60 lap event, Johnson cut a tire and attempted to pull out of line, but ultimately lost control of his No. 48 Lowe’s Chevy Camaro. “I just had a flat tire. As I was coming into the tri-oval I could feel the car starting to shake, there is kind of a shake when you have a soft tire and I knew what it was and tried to pull out of line and I thought I had it under control, but as I exited the tri-oval, it finally went flat and turned me sideways and unfortunately, I collected Aric (Almirola) in the process.”, said Johnson.
The disappointed Johnson remains confident even though he will be forced to pull out a backup for the 500. “I’m devastated for the work and effort that goes into these cars and more on the crew side. I know the next car is going to be fast. I know all three cars we have built are really good and strong. I just hate that we have been through three cars down here a lot of different Speedweeks. That part bothers me. But, I do feel very confident in the car we are going to roll out and what the team will be able to put under me.”
