Jimmie Johnson Talks About His Coca-Cola 600 Success

By Seth Eggert, NASCAR Writer

CONCORD, N.C. – As the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series enters Charlotte Motor Speedway for the 2017 Coca-Cola 600, many drivers look to be successful in NASCAR’s endurance race. One driver that has found success in the 600 is Seven-Time Champion Jimmie Johnson.

Johnson and his No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS team has four wins in NASCAR’s longest race. Meanwhile, eight of his 82 career wins have come at Charlotte Motor Speedway alone.

Johnson has the second-best average finish at Charlotte, 12.58, among active drivers, behind only Joey Logano. In the last four Charlotte races, however, his average finish at has slipped to 20.75.

Johnson believed that keeping the driver and the team focused are the keys to his success,

“I think the length of the 600 and just what is required of the team and driver to stay focused, to evolve and change and to continue to work on their car. I think when you look at the No. 48’s history those types of races, those race tracks it is where we seem to shine. If we have more chances to work on the car, Chad (Knaus, crew chief) makes amazing calls and decisions and strategy. I just like a gritty race and a race that you have to grind it out and the 600 is all of that.”

He continued, comparing his Charlotte success to Dover,

“So, I really think that leads into a large part of our success and then there are just some tracks that the topography and the flow of the track and what you experience inside of the car that fit you. Dover, Charlotte, is a very similar kind of jumping sensation into the corner that fits my upbringing and what I like to feel and experience in a car, so I think that is the other part of it.”

Now Johnson and his Hendrick Motorsports team will look to capitalize on their success in the Coca-Cola 600 once again.