Jimmie Johnson looks for his third straight win on Sunday when the NASCAR schedule shifts to Richmond International Raceway in Virginia for the Toyota Owners 400.
NASCAR at Richmond International Raceway: Starting grid, lineup for Toyota Owners 400
Jimmie Johnson comes to Virginia with wins in his last two races.
Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images
Johnson will start on Sunday in the ninth row, in 17th position, as he looks to follow wins in his last two races, at Texas and at Bristol.
Matt Kenseth took the pole position on Friday thanks to a qualifying speed of 121.076 mph. He is in the first row along with Ryan Blaney, with both drivers seeking their first win of 2017.
Johnson didn’t finish higher than ninth in any of his first six races this year before winning the last two stops on the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup schedule. He won this race once, back in 2007. Johnson is a two-time winner of the Federated Auto Parts 400 (2007-08), also at this track in Richmond.
“That team is so strong. When you get them in a position like this and you give them confidence, like after the win at Texas, they don’t make many mistakes,” said Fox analyst Jeff Gordon of Johnson this week. “They’ve been pushing hard and making some mistakes up until Texas, but not at Bristol.
“What did they do? They’re so good that they forced others, like (Martin) Truex Jr. and (Kyle) Larson to make mistakes and give them that shot at going out there and getting the win.”
Fox will televise the race beginning at 2 p.m. ET, with Mike Joy on play-by-play alongside analysts Darrell Waltrip, Jeff Gordon, and Larry McReynolds. Waltrip won this race twice, in 1980 and 1981.
Toyota Owners 400 starting lineup
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