NASCAR Kansas 2014: Jimmie Johnson crashes, Chase advancement in question

The championship hopes of Jimmie Johnson were dealt a serious blow following a crash in Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway.

Johnson was running mid-pack on Lap 85 when he was tagged in the left rear by Greg Biffle off Turn 2. The contact sent Johnson spinning into the backstretch wall with the No. 48 sustaining significant damage.

Biffle’s car appeared to break loose on the slick Kansas track. Justin Allgaier and Josh Wise were also involved. All drivers escaped injury.

“Just got tagged in the left rear,” Johnson said. “I heard on the radio that it was the No. 16 (Biffle). I haven’t seen the video or anything yet. I was cruising along the top, thought everything was fine, and then found myself sideways down the back straightaway.

“Definitely disappointing, but not much I can do.”

Kansas is the first race of the second round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup. NASCAR will eliminate the lowest four drivers in points without a victory from championship contention every three races.

Johnson, the defending and six-time series champion, will either need to win the next two weeks (at Charlotte Motor Speedway or Talladega Superspeedway) or need help to climb up the point standings to secure advancement.

Johnson owns seven victories at Charlotte, including in May when he won the Coca-Cola 600. He is a two-time winner at Talladega (2006 and 2011).

“We’ve got to be on our game at Charlotte and Talladega,” Johnson said. “There is still a lot of racing left. Stuff can happen. We’ll see how the other Chasers fare. If I can get taken out today, somebody else can later in this event or at Charlotte.

“Certainly need W’s, I would assume, going forward.”

Johnson proved prophetic as Chase drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Brad Keselowski each blew right front tires that sent them into the wall. Both suffered heavy damage and went to the garage for repairs.

Sunday’s crash was a culmination of what was a difficult weekend for Johnson. In qualifying Friday, he spun off Turn 2. Although the damage was minimal, Johnson couldn’t return to the track and started the Hollywood Casino 400 in the 32nd position. And when the race began the No. 48 car lacked speed early, nearly going a lap down before a timely caution bunched the field.

“Our problem really started on Friday not qualifying right there,” Johnson said. “We were moving forward and in a good position. I felt like our times had us capable of a top-five finish. But just back there in that mess and ended up being the mess.”