Sharpie 500 - Jimmie Johnson Notes

Team 48 Bristol Preview

Jimmie Johnson and Team 48 race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday in the 24th race of the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup season. Johnson trails Tony Stewart by 126 points in the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup points race. There are three races remaining before the “Chase for the Championship.” Only the top 10 drivers and those drivers within 400 points of the leader are eligible for the “Chase.” Johnson and Stewart are the only two drivers to clinch spots in the “Chase.”

JIMMIE JOHNSON:

CLINCHING A CHASE SPOT: “Yeah, that's nice. It's comforting to know to at least be in the top 10 in points. It's a testament to these guys to clinch it with three (races) to go. I'm excited for it and it just means we've had a great season. We shouldn't be ashamed of anything.”

WILL YOU ALTER ANYTHING NOW FROM RACE TO RACE? “No, you keep going. I think it's more important to have the right mindset for collecting points and racing for a championship right now, so when you get in the final 10 you hit your stride and you're doing what you need to do. I would expect all the other teams in the same mindset and everyone else will be very stingy with points and smart on the race track from here on out.”

BRISTOL: “Having a spot clinched going to Bristol is going to make that race a lot more enjoyable. I love going there, I love racing there, and I love leaving there. Then it's behind me and the stress is gone. It's a tough track. Anything can happen.”

CREW CHIEF CHAD KNAUS

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE NEXT COUPLE OF RACES: “Bristol is a fun race. We should have won that race in the spring, I feel. We had an issue with a lapped car and got into the wall. Fontana? I love it. I can’t wait to get there. And then I think Richmond is a glorious track and I’m looking forward to going there. My team is very happy. We’re looking forward to hitting Loudon. Once we hit Loudon, we’re pulling out a bunch of new race cars. We’ve got a bunch of cars that have been tested and will be tested. We’ve got some new stuff from the engine shop. We’re ready to go – just kind of sitting at idle – waiting for things to start happening.”

WHAT IS YOUR TEST SCHEDULE LIKE? “It’s going to be little busy. We’re testing at five of the last 10 events. Maybe we’ll do some other off-sight testing. We don’t know for sure just yet. It’s going to be pretty busy and a lot of fun. That’s what this team thrives on is getting out there and getting to work. We’ll be out there sweating and getting dirty and digging it.”

RACE NOTES

Chassis