NASCAR At Dover: Jimmie Johnson Not Looking For ‘Walk-Off Home Run’ In Chase

We’re two races into the 2011 NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup and five-time defending series champion Jimmie Johnson is 10th in the standings, his lowest position ever in the final 10-race stretch.

After finishes of 10th at Chicagoland and 18th in New Hampshire, many in the garage are starting to wonder if this is the year Johnson’s title streak comes to an end.

For Johnson, however, panic is not setting in and the team is going about the Chase “business as usual.”

“I don’t think we’re in a position where it’s win or nothing, but we need a good top-three run here,” he said.

Despite running well in both of the opening Chase races, fuel mileage and late-race incidents have resulted in finishes that did not reflect the performance of the No. 48 team throughout the day. Looking ahead to Sunday’s race at Dover, Johnson is hoping to change that trend.

”I don’t think we’re looking for the walk-off home run by any means right now,” he said. “It’s just finishing where we should.”

Johnson should have some success doing just that at Dover, where he has four wins and three poles in the last five races. Calling the ‘Monster Mile’ one of the team’s best tracks, Johnson knows qualifying well could lead to a strong day on Sunday and a resurgence in the Chase.

“We could leave here with a great run, maybe even a win, and get some great momentum toward our efforts working toward our sixth championship and make up a whole bunch of points,” he said. “We’ve got two races behind us and eight to go, still plenty of time to be a part of this championship.”

One thing that has led some to question the No. 48 team’s chances at another title run was the communication between Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. At one point during last weekend’s race, Johnson called Knaus’ encouragement and cheerleading “annoying,” leading some to wonder if there were cracks in what has appeared to be a solid relationship.

That is not the case, according to Johnson.

“After 10 years of working with together, there are plenty of things we know about each other and discussions that have taken place,” he said. “When you work with someone as long as we have, for over 10 years now, there are hot spots and buttons that can be pushed that can send someone over the edge.”

Despite their flare-up last Sunday, Johnson said it was “nothing new” to the driver-crew chief combination and pointed out there have been a number of similar incidents between them throughout their 10-year relationship.

Still, the pressure exists to perform and contend for the championship. Although they have five championships on their side, Johnson said his previous Chase experience is no guarantee they can repeat this year.

“To keep the streak alive, to stay on top as we hope to do, you have to continue to find new ways to do it,” he said.