NASCAR Dover 2015: Jimmie Johnson chasing history

If a NASCAR track ever felt like a drivers’ personal fiefdom, it would be Jimmie Johnson and Dover International Speedway. Not only is he the track record holder with nine victories overall, but he owns six wins over the past 12 races on the concrete one-mile oval.

Because of its short straightaways, high banking that allows drivers to carry speed through the corners and tight confines that often produce multi-car accidents, Dover is one of the more difficult tracks on the schedule. But it’s a challenge Johnson embraces, which is one of the reasons he’s been so successful there.

“It’s hard to say that there is one aspect that I enjoy the most,” Johnson said Friday. “But just the set of corners from straightaway to straightaway kind of works up your bravery -- you make it through the corner, you get on the next straightaway, you smile like, ‘Wow that was pretty cool, I’m going to do it again.’ And you fly through (Turns) 3 and 4 and you just end up with that mindset around the racetrack. It’s a ton of fun.”

A Johnson victory Sunday in the FedEx 400 would move him into elite company with Richard Petty, David Pearson, Darrell Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Sr. as the only drivers with 10 or more wins at a particular track. Petty, Pearson, Waltrip and Earnhardt each earned induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Johnson is also approaching double-digit victories at Martinsville (eight) and Charlotte Motor Speedway (seven).

“It’s crazy for me to have this reality; it’s nothing that I thought would happen,” Johnson said. “I’m certainly enjoying the moment while I’m here. ... It’s on my mind and it’s something I would love to do.”

And as good as Johnson is at Dover, by average finish (8.2) the track isn’t even his best. The six-time Cup Series champion maintains a better average finish at Auto Club Speedway (6.8), Kentucky Speedway (7.0), Martinsville Speedway (7.3) and Phoenix International Raceway (7.8).

But Johnson’s Dover dominance is such that even when he runs well yet doesn’t win, the weekend feels like a disappointment and cause for concern.

“I find that the moments when we are off, we are probably a little more anxious than we would be at other tracks,” he said. “Last fall we ran third, but a distant third to (Jeff Gordon) who was in control all race long. Man, it was like we finished 35th.”

The path to a potential 10th Dover win Sunday was made easier when Hendrick Motorsports elected to appeal a penalty NASCAR issued against Johnson’s team this week. Having incurred minor violations in consecutive races, officials were going to require Johnson to have the second-to-last choice of pit stalls following Friday qualifying. Pit stall selection is determined by qualifying times.

Most weeks having a lesser pit stall is not a substantial hindrance. Not so at Dover, which has a very narrow pit lane. But Johnson can now defer the penalty until a later time if he loses the appeal. (The exact hearing for the appeal has not been set.)

NASCAR gave the No. 48 team written warnings for flaring the side-skirts on Johnson’s car during the May 16 All-Star Race, then for not initially passing pre-qualifying inspection the following week.

“We definitely don’t agree with what has happened and getting the [warnings],” Johnson said. “That is why the appeal has taken place. I look forward to the appeal process running its course and respect it. I certainly hope for a different outcome once everything runs its course.”