Sirius Satellite Radio at the Glen - Jimmie Johnson Notes

Team 48 Watkins Glen Preview

Jimmie Johnson and Team 48 race at Watkins Glen International Raceway on Sunday in the 22nd race of the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup season. Johnson trails Tony Stewart by 75 points in the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup points race. There are five 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.”

JIMMIE JOHNSON:

HOW ARE YOU FEELING? “I had a few minutes to catch my breath but I just needed some time to get my bearings after the crash. They obviously took me in to the hospital for precautionary reasons which was fine and a good safe thing to do on our part. Yesterday (Monday) I took it easy and woke up this morning (Tuesday) full of energy and feeling great. I know I need to see (the doctor) tomorrow (Wednesday) or Thursday and run me through some tests but I am feeling awesome so I don’t anticipate any issues.”

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT RACING AT THE GLEN? “We were running great there last year, and we, or I, had some problems shifting correctly and tore the engine up in the process. This year we’ve learned our lesson from Infineon with the transmission. We are good to go and coming back with a proven package. We should have a good race. The way we raced and qualified at Sonoma, I am really excited about going to the Glen. I think we can get a top five if not our first victory on a road course.”

HOW DISAPPOINTING IS IT TO LOSE THE POINTS LEAD? “We hate to lose the lead. There’s definitely a small mental advantage to leading the points and then also there’s the five points for position when the chase comes along. We still have a lot of races to get it back but the thing that I’m most disappointed about is that we gave up points to 10th place or 11th place, however we look at it. That’s the thing I’m most disappointed about. There’s still time to race back and get the points lead again going into the final 10.”

CREW CHIEF CHAD KNAUS:

INDIANAPOLIS: “No doubt Indy was a rough weekend. I’m not talking about qualifying or the race but when Jimmie or any driver hits the wall like he did, you don’t even think of points, trophies, or anything else. You’re only thought is for his safety. Jimmie is my driver but first and foremost he is my friend and a friend to all these guys on the team.”

WATKINS GLEN: “Our road course strategy is the same as it was in Sonoma. Stay on the track, no matter what happens. You will see guys run good all day then get in a hurry at the end and slide off the track trying to pick up one more spot. On an oval you can take a chance making a pass and if it doesn’t work you might slide out of the groove and then get the spot back over the next lap or two. On a road course, if you slide off the track you rarely get a chance to make those spots up. You have to be smart on a road course and extremely patient.”

RACE NOTES

Chassis